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First Team
Reserve Team
revo:nation
photography
Hard work pays off - by Craig Anderson
A final and all that goes with it is a time for celebration for all involved. Its an achievement. All the hard work that has been put in over the season comes down to one match. One 90 minute match that could make or break a season. Was it a successful year or another year of mediocrity again?
Lets face it; you may never get another chance to play in another final ever again so the pressure to play well and keep your cool is huge. For Maidenhead Revolution its a season that started with great promise after the Datchet Tournament drama and ‘’that golden goal’’ that sent everyone from players to fans into pandemonium.
However, its not gone as well as expected for the Dragons who for the large part have found them self down near the bottom of the table because of some bad performances. But with numerous games in hand, because of a number of cup commitments they had and the effects of the "Big Freeze" combined with Revo's traditional good form in the closing games of the season, they seem to be back on track. As they are making the games up they are slowly getting back into mid-table, a 3-2 loss to Old Windsor Reserves the only blip in the last 4 games.
As the final now closes in, Manager, Kieran Smith has a massive headache as everyone showing some form and injuries are clearing up. In theory, the gaffer could have as many as 25 players to pick from. A lot of thought will go in to getting that number down to the 16, and an eventual 11 that Smith believes will take the trophy home. It means a lot to everyone at the Revolution that they have made it this far, let alone if they win it. But it will mean just that little bit more to the players that have been there since the beginning when Smith's dream started 3 years ago. To the players like David Williams, Mitchell Scarvaci, Craig Anderson, Tom Twitchen and Scott Callaway who were around from its inception, to club Captain Jake Pearce-Vogan, who was there at the start but missed the 2008/2009 season because of his involvment in a coaching course in the USA, George Boardman, Chris Defranco and James Johnson who joined midway through the first season. These players have been through thick and thin and have stuck with Revolution. Even the new players have shown a great amount of passion for Revolution, some have tasted glory before and want to again for their new club. Some have been here before and not won. For most, this is their first final. And hopefully definitely not their last.
Everything, from the memories of the first ever goal in the first ever game by Mitchell Scarvaci to three years later when Lee Hunt scored ‘’that goal’’ to win the Atlantic Celtic Cup, the ups, the downs and the passion will go into the Final on Tuesday May 4th against Pinkneys Green. For Smith, its a reward that shows the determination to prove the doubters wrong. But, win or lose, Smith will demand more.
Many players have played for the Maidenhead outfit but this is by far the best crop of players with the strength and depth to match. Where previous seasons, they may have struggled, the camaraderie and passion of the team have pushed Revolution through some tough times. The final is a celebration of the achievement of a young squad and one that has not been together for that long. Winning the final would be the cherry on the cake to a Jekyll and Hyde season, a season that could finish with the Dragons with two trophies.
Tuesday 4th May, 7.30pm at Stag Meadow, Windsor. Probo Lemma Nefas.
A final and all that goes with it is a time for celebration for all involved. Its an achievement. All the hard work that has been put in over the season comes down to one match. One 90 minute match that could make or break a season. Was it a successful year or another year of mediocrity again?
Lets face it; you may never get another chance to play in another final ever again so the pressure to play well and keep your cool is huge. For Maidenhead Revolution its a season that started with great promise after the Datchet Tournament drama and ‘’that golden goal’’ that sent everyone from players to fans into pandemonium.
However, its not gone as well as expected for the Dragons who for the large part have found them self down near the bottom of the table because of some bad performances. But with numerous games in hand, because of a number of cup commitments they had and the effects of the "Big Freeze" combined with Revo's traditional good form in the closing games of the season, they seem to be back on track. As they are making the games up they are slowly getting back into mid-table, a 3-2 loss to Old Windsor Reserves the only blip in the last 4 games.
As the final now closes in, Manager, Kieran Smith has a massive headache as everyone showing some form and injuries are clearing up. In theory, the gaffer could have as many as 25 players to pick from. A lot of thought will go in to getting that number down to the 16, and an eventual 11 that Smith believes will take the trophy home. It means a lot to everyone at the Revolution that they have made it this far, let alone if they win it. But it will mean just that little bit more to the players that have been there since the beginning when Smith's dream started 3 years ago. To the players like David Williams, Mitchell Scarvaci, Craig Anderson, Tom Twitchen and Scott Callaway who were around from its inception, to club Captain Jake Pearce-Vogan, who was there at the start but missed the 2008/2009 season because of his involvment in a coaching course in the USA, George Boardman, Chris Defranco and James Johnson who joined midway through the first season. These players have been through thick and thin and have stuck with Revolution. Even the new players have shown a great amount of passion for Revolution, some have tasted glory before and want to again for their new club. Some have been here before and not won. For most, this is their first final. And hopefully definitely not their last.
Everything, from the memories of the first ever goal in the first ever game by Mitchell Scarvaci to three years later when Lee Hunt scored ‘’that goal’’ to win the Atlantic Celtic Cup, the ups, the downs and the passion will go into the Final on Tuesday May 4th against Pinkneys Green. For Smith, its a reward that shows the determination to prove the doubters wrong. But, win or lose, Smith will demand more.
Many players have played for the Maidenhead outfit but this is by far the best crop of players with the strength and depth to match. Where previous seasons, they may have struggled, the camaraderie and passion of the team have pushed Revolution through some tough times. The final is a celebration of the achievement of a young squad and one that has not been together for that long. Winning the final would be the cherry on the cake to a Jekyll and Hyde season, a season that could finish with the Dragons with two trophies.
Tuesday 4th May, 7.30pm at Stag Meadow, Windsor. Probo Lemma Nefas.