The
last group game on Pitch B was to be Maidenhead
1 versus JNJ Middle East. The final round of
fixtures would all be played simultaneously
so we had to look at the permutations for the
teams at kick-off. However, we are sure subs
would be keeping tabs on progress of proceedings
on the other pitches.
At
kick-off, Maidenhead 1 knew that a win would
guarantee them a place in the Cup and a third
place finish. Defeat would seem them vulnerable
to JNJ Pinewood snatching their current 4th
place with a win. If JNJ Pinewood won and Maidenhead
1 drew it would come down to goal difference.
These teams currently sat on -3 and -1 respectively.
For
JNJ Middle East Cup qualification and a minimum
of second place was already guaranteed. In their
sights was the Group B victory – they needed
to win and hope Synthes UK 1 lost/drew their
final game.
Recent
form for Maidenhead 1 had not been positive.
They started the day so well with 3 unanswered
goals and picking up 7 points from a possible
9. Two defeats since and conceding 5 in the
process had threatened their Cup qualification
– they needed to reverse their run of form.
JNJ Middle East had won 4 in a row but just
tasted first defeat – they too were looking
to bounce back?
On
the field of play we had 3 goals to enjoy and
it was Maidenhead 1 who edged it 2-1 to pick
up the vital 3 points they needed. Alvaro Martinez
scored in their previous game and he was on
target again here (twice) as his goals propelled
his team into the elite Cup competition.
JNJ
Middle East scored through Peter Lane as his
team finished in second position in Group B.
I am sure if you offered this to them at the
start of play they'd have taken it. It was a
great effort from the team.
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