SUCCESSFUL positional changes and a massive victory over Dorchester have given Maidenhead hopes of surviving the drop from South West Division 1.
But, with the away fixtures piling up, the pressure is on to produce a storming end to the season.
Out of eight remaining matches, only three are scheduled to take place at fortress Braywick, including clashes with league high-flyers Dings Crusaders and Bridgwater & Albion.
However, coach Simon Edwards is still confident his team can survive, if only they can muster six more points.
History is in his favour, as the last time Maids played Dorchester it heralded a three-match winning spree, a run he hopes to repeat, beginning tomorrow at Chinnor.
And, with his side’s confidence now restored, who would write them off.
Dorchester certainly have no doubts about Maids’ potential, having conceded 119 points in their two fixtures this year.
Edwards said of their latest encounter: “They told me after the game that no one had played better against them this season.
“Stroud only beat them by two points the previous week at Stroud, but they were never in it on Saturday.
“If it hadn’t been for an inexperienced referee it would have been an avalanche score. His decisions kept them in the game, even though we dominated in every area.”
However, despite his continued concerns about the quality of refereeing in the league, Edwards was more than pleased with his side’s performance.
He said: “For the first time in a long time we turned pressure into points.
“It would be easy to say they’re bottom of the league and that we should have won, but we haven’t been beating anyone of late and we won by 50 points.
“Let’s be positive. I said a few weeks ago we would win one soon and that we would dick someone, and that’s exactly what we’ve done.
“The next step is the hard one, We have to raise our game and do it against teams like Chinnor.”
In this ultra-competitive league, Edwards has often claimed there is little to choose between the sides and that confidence is often the deciding factor.
So, with spirits high, Maids will have the chance tomorrow to prove the point.
Edwards added: “Chinnor are well organised and keep the ball alive.
“We have to stop them playing and that will stop them scoring.
“We have to go up there with the same confidence and arrogance we showed against Dorchester.
“Our position in the league is not a true reflection of our quality and now is the time to show that.
“Chinnor away is a massive game, but I believe we can go there and beat them, and then go to Barnstaple and beat them.
“Every game is cup game now.”
Tomorrow’s kick-off is at 2.30pm.
However, there is also a mouth-watering clash at Braywick this weekend, as Edwards’ Colts take on Sedgley Park from Manchester, in the quarter-finals of the National Knock-out Cup, kick-off 1.30pm.
Having already disposed of holders Gloucester and local rivals Henley, Maids should be favourites to reach the semi-finals, and, who knows, even the final.