Born of Frustration

Up and down the country yesterday it seemed the order of the day was for one team to take a seemingly definitive lead only to be pegged back against the odds by the opposition.  One set of Magpies did this to great acclaim against Arsenal whilst the York Road bunch I was watching was again failed to convert a position of dominance into a win.

Indeed this is fast becoming the story of the season, particularly since the turn of the year with Basingstoke, St. Albans, Boreham Wood, Havant and now Bishop's Stortford all ending up with more points than they might have expected during the game.

With both teams lacking in confidence the key moment of the game came when after Maidenhead had taken charge of the game with two good goals, the first a well worked move involving Ashley Nicholls and Alex Wall which was converted by Cliff Akurang, the second a humdinger of a strike from distance by Daniel Brown.  But within minutes of going two behind Stortford hit back in the psychologically important period before half time when a combination of the wind and misjudgement saw goalkeeper Steve Williams flap at a cross and allow Ross Prestedge to score with a header.

Thus the game remained in the balance in the second half, the only surprise being when Stortford finally equalised that they did not push harder for a winner particularly as the Magpies had lost midfield dynamo Nicholls to two bookings.

All this points to a deficit of confidence and belief in failing to dispatch lesser opposition.  The answer? Continued hard work to keep creating winning opportunities, whilst maintaining composure to avoid anxiety leading to mistakes.  When one opportunity is taken the next becomes easier.  The return of experienced players from injury will also help.

At least there was better news off the pitch with Bob the plumber putting in a long shift to sort out the new heating system which means the Reserves can host their League Cup tie at York Road on Tuesday night.  This was almost moved to Henley Town after opponents Slimbridge refused, unlike Blue Square Bet South clubs Thurrock and Stortford, to accept the temporary shower arrangements apparently citing the Human Rights Act in their defence!
Another positive was that although the crowd was nothing to write home about it was good to see a few familiar faces from Pinkneys Green Cricket Club.