SATURDAY’S emphatic win over Windsor was greeted with mixed reactions by Maidenhead coach Simon Edwards this week.
Pleased to have won a potentially tricky local derby, Edwards admitted the clash had left a slightly sour taste in his mouth, which he intended to turn into lessons learned.
He said: “If you had asked me before the game if I would be happy with 32 points I would have said yes. I was delighted to win it that comfortably.
“But if Windsor hadn't played the negative tactics they did, or played on the referee's inexperience, it would have been a very large score. They definitely should have had a player red carded due to persistent infringements.
“Having said that, I don’t think we played at our best. We allowed it to happen.
“I have analysed the video and we got into scoring positions on 10 occasions and then failed to score.
“We have to step above that. We have to take the referee and the opposition's tactics out of the equation and just be the better side.
“What we have to do in games like this – when the opposition have come for damage limitation – is step up another level and rise above it.”
Tomorrow (Saturday), Maids entertain Gloucestershire outfit Spartans in the Powergen Intermediate Cup.
Edwards has made no secret of his apathy for the cup, as the club has targeted promotion from South West 2 as it's over-riding objective. However, having reached the fourth round, the situation may be about to change.
Edwards said: "We don't need a rest at the moment and if I didn't have a cup game I would be looking for a friendly anyway. So why not have a cup game. We're looking forward to it.
“The league is our priority and if I had injuries I would rest them rather than risk them.
“But we're in the fourth round now and Twickenham is at the end of it.
“Another couple of wins and you might start to think it could happen.”