Sonning 1st XI 1 - 1 Maidenhead 1st XI

Maidenhead finished the 2013-14 season in 4th place in this league, so were a tough opening match to be drawn. However, Sonning started the brighter of the two sides, and opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes to calm the nerves. Playing against a familiar looking half-court press, Sonning demonstrated good patience to keep possession until the right gap could be found, and after just a handful of attacks, they picked apart the Maidenhead defence well.

Ian Gallagher attacked the baseline to the right of the goal (#rightside), evading a couple of challenges to enter the Maidenhead circle. He cut back from the baseline, grounded the keeper and slotted home clinically to score in his second consecutive game, bringing about the inevitable question...Will someone finally be able to challenge the dominance of Jimmy Manser at the top of the Sonning 1st XI T.G.S Chart? Pundits think Gallagher may have what it takes. (Jimmy Manser was not available for comment).

The Maidenhead equaliser came quickly after this goal however. The Sonning midfield were caught a bit flat as an attempted long ball was cut out by a Maidenhead forward, and he drove directly at the Sonning circle, evaded the challenge of Ian Finlayson well, and slotted past the flailing Merriman in goal. It was in-fact hugely reminiscent of countless Sonning goals from last season,.

This was a devastating blow to Sonning, who had been controlling things well until this point, the game began to open up from here, with both sides having opportunities, and penalty corners, but unable to create any clear-cut chances. Sonning went down to 10 men just before half time, as Chris Hinton broke down play while Maidenhead attempted to break from their own circle. He can have little complaint to see yellow after a challenge which journalists have gone on to refer to as 'The Widow-Maker'. However, despite being a man to the good, Maidenhead didn't show a huge amount of ambition, and seemed happy to sit-off until half time.

In the second half, the pattern of play continued; Sonning were perhaps unprepared to be facing such a defensive minded team, and preparation following promotion to the MBBO Prem league had been focussed on keeping shape against strong and attacking sides. Neither side could find an opening, and despite Maidenhead being awarded a penalty corner at the full time whistle, the game finished with honours even.

Neither side can be hugely disappointed with the draw. It seemed a fair result in a cagey game which nobody seemed willing to risk losing by chasing the win, as is often the case at the start of a league campaign. Sonning will be happy to start-off by picking up a point, and will approach their next game away at OMT 1s with vigour, in what will surely represent a different kind of challenge against a fluent and attacking side.

Goalscorer: Ian Gallagher
MOM: Oliver Waddington
DOD: Chris 'The Lumberjack' Hinton