Mavericks Suffer Opening Day Defeat

13th October 2010

The Mavericks were humbled at the Estádio da Luz  (Stadium of light) on Wednesday afternoon by the Regents College Reindeers.  The Mav's moved in to an early lead when Alex Carter shanked his cross past the 52 year old Cameroon international Roger Milla in the Reindeers goal.   Roger was actually checking out the corner flag at the time of the shot and was less than impressed when he had to return to the goal to retrieve the ball. 

 After conceding a goal the Mavericks then moved back into the lead when Umang Patel tapped home from close range, all looked rosy until the Mavericks conceded from 45 yards a minute before the half time break.  Although disappointed it was decided that the Mav's would continue to play with an abandonment which reflected in a zero tolerance to defence, purely attacking in numbers and leaving the defence to deal with the annoying and permantly diving front line of the opposition. 

Sadly the opposition took a 3-2 lead and it was only when Ben Young slipped home the equaliser that a concerted effort was made to win the game.  Umang Patel was provided with a shooting opportunity but was man handled by the opposition, no more can can be said for legal reasons and no more will be said about the resulting penalty....  Instructions were sent on to the field to "throw" the game as the Mavericks have a strict no draw policy, Andy Hales gave away a corner and everyone deliberately left the Regents player unmarked to head home from close range. 

The Mavericks now face an away trip to Roehampton on Wednesday as well as a warm up game against the Dartford academy on Monday afternoon.  Go the Mavs!

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