This was, as Sky Sports would no doubt say, a game that mattered between two very real potential league title winners. So what a time for Ruislip to produce their most complete performance of the season so far.
After their now traditional sluggish start, Ruislip gained control of the contest after about 10 minutes once the midfield trio of Omari Reynolds, Harrison Deas and Mark Webb had gained control of the middle of the park. And after 12 minutes they hit the front with what was the first effort on goal from either side. Reynolds won possession on halfway and crisply fed Charlie Coshall. The striker turned and, having spotted the clever movement of his strike partner, threaded through a ball which was smartly finished off from a tight angle by Jack Neill. The visitors realised that their foot was on Maidenhead’s throat and all 13 players used on the day worked their nuts off to make sure it remained there for the rest of the game. Two good penalty shouts, including a particularly clear looking handball, were turned down as Ruislip pressed for a second before half time. They came mighty close right on the stroke of the break as an incisive run from Deas set up Coshall whose searing drive clipped the bar and with the last kick of the half, Ryan Morgan’s free kick was smuggled round the post by the home keeper.
Ruislip, despite losing the services of the impressive Reynolds at half time, started the second period where they left off in the first, on the front foot. It only took 6 minutes before the home defence was breached again as good pressure at the far post from Remi Ogunbayo forced an unfortunate own goal rewarding good work from Webb and Neill who were both having their best games of the season. Confidence was now sky high in the Ruislip ranks and when on 49 minutes Coshall’s exquisite back flick set up Finn Edwards, only a goal line clearance prevented a deserved third. Webb and Morgan both grazed the upright and Coshall was a longer stud away from turning home Neill’s low cross as Ruislip piled on the pressure. But the goal just wouldn’t come and with 11 minutes left, Maidenhead reminded everyone that they are still a top side as they came within inches of reducing the arrears with their first clear cut chance of the game and then within 2 minutes Harry Sandiford was called into action for the first time but he saved comfortably as a home striker worked space in the box. Having survived these 2 scares, Ruislip stepped up a gear again with Edwards desperately unlucky again to see his bullet header instinctively tipped over the bar and Eli Soque seemingly blatantly manhandled by the keeper as he was about to tap home into an empty net. The game finished with the visitors pushing for further goals that would’ve given the scoreline a more realistic look but I’m sure they would’ve snapped your hand off for a 2-0 win at the start.
This really was a powerhouse performance from Ruislip full of pace, power and no shortage of quality with not one below par performer in their ranks. A marker has been well and truly set. MoM almost unfair to single out just one player but Mark Webb showed his versatility in being near faultless in a couple of midfield roles