News has been filtering through that director of football Lee wants to bring Gary Choi into Maxtel this month. He sees wonderkid Choi(25) pictured below as the key signing to arrest the slump that has seen Maxtel lose three out of three in 2008 and seen their title dreams shatter. Maxtel are in a race against time before the transfer window slams shut to freshen up the squad.

Man of the Match - Dan

Moan of the Match – possible foul on Bevo in build up to goal

Save of the Match – John Beet tipping over early on

Quote of the Match – "Oi, who's ****ing man is that??"

This top of the table clash failed to provide much quality - after driving round three grounds to find a playable pitch the players were obviously tired. St Annes had the ball in the back of net first but it was rightly ruled out for offside. Biccies then had a glorious chance after a header was cleared off the line but ballooned the shot. St Annes took the lead from a corner soon after.

In the second half they made it two, the no. 11 firing in while on the floor after an attempted clearance deflected back. Maxtel were showing some spirit, Steve Bell's shot went through a crowd of players but picked out the keeper, then Bob chased down a Beet clearance to get a good save out of the St Annes keeper. With time running out then Bob's cross-shot hit the bar from an impossible angle. Maxtel won a penalty in stoppage time after a brilliant run from Tommy which was buried by Gilo after a retake for blatantly encroaching.

Man of the Match - Tommy

Moan of the Match – too much arguing

Quote of the Match – "I am going with my strongest squad"

Quote of the Match II – " are you saying I'm weak??"

Marsdon recorded their first ever victory over Maxtel in some style with a six goal demolition. Justin made five changes from last weeks win, three of them forced but was unable to find the winning formula. Dave Lewis made his first start of the season and Jonah took on the striker's role and got in behind early doors but shot just wide. Then Maxtel crumbled conceding three goals in 15 minutes, two from corners. It was one way traffic in the first period with another goalbound shot smashing off the post to prevent a four goal deficit.

Maxtel were given a glimmer of hope when Gilo buried a penalty 10 minutes into the second half. Minutes later this hope was ended when Marsdon slotted in from a tight angle, more was to follow when a player dribbled from the right back area, past a static Maxtel back line to slot in with embarrassing ease to make it 5-1. Biccies came on in goal but the bombardment continued - a deflected shot made it six before Bevo waltzed past the Marsdon defence to score a brilliant solo goal that sadly counted for little.

Man of the Match - Bevo

Moan of the Match – 2 goals from corners

Quote of the Match – "We started badly & got worse"

Maxtel ensured they were top of the table for new year in a good battle with Chelmsley. Justin was forced to bring in "fringe players" such as Si, Biccies and Col but they all gave 110% in a new look back line with the help of Stu, Mark & John Beet talking them through the game. Sparky had the first glimpse of goal when he rounded the keeper but his shot struck the underside of the bar from a narrow angle. Later in the half, Bob tested the keeper twice in close success but he was equal to both efforts. Then skipper tried his luck but the shot was tipped over.

The second half produced more chances, Chelmsley number 8 went on a run, leaving three Maxtel defenders in his wake but John Beet produced one of the saves of the season down low to his right to keep it 0-0. At the other end, the deadlock was finally broken when Sparky running from deep through a statuesque defence latched onto a Bevo cross and fired home midway through the half. This sparked a massive push from the visitors and countless goalmouth scrambles and penalty appeals. The best chance smashed against the bar but Maxtel held firm and were rewarded with a second when Bob slotted home a after Bevo played him in. The goal coming from a free kick after Sparky had been tripped by the keeper.

Man of the Match - Nicholls

Man of the Match II  - Beet

Save of the Match - Beet

Moan of the Match – Chelmsley thought they should have had a penalty

Tackle of the Match – Billy

Quote of the Match – "You're not used to losing"

Sparky's close range finish cancelled out a first half penalty conceded by Bevo in a largely disappointing display. 

Man of the Match - John Beet

Save of the Match – John Beet

Moan of the Match – Bob got injured

Maxtel went top of the table with a grinding performance against local rivals - there was not much between the sides first half. Steve Bell nearly took advantage early on but the keeper tipped round superbly. 

Five minutes into the second half Colin was released down the right, his first touch was good but his low shot was deflected to safety by the keeper. Then he had to be sharp again to tip over Stu's speculative effort. At the other end, number six sent in a long range effort that swerved away from Beet but clattered the bar to Maxtels relief. With the game drifting towards a draw, Justin started making changes and this paid off when sub Andy latched onto Stu's pass and coolly slotted past the goalie to make it 1-0 with 15 minutes to go. Then with 5 minutes to go Mark sent a piledriver just over the bar. It looked like Maxtel would be denied when with 40 seconds to go Bentley equalised from a corner. However, Bob went on a mazy run to the heart of the Jubilee defence, Mark took over only to be tripped in the box. Stu had the bottle to bury the penalty and erase his spot-kick nightmare against Boca. There was still time for Bentley to head just wide from a free-kick in a thrilling climax to the game.

Man of the Match - Stu

Shot of the Match – Colin

Moan of the Match – waterlogged pitch

Quote of the Match – "It was headed for the bottom corner but somehow he just got his foot to it" - Colin

Maxtel ended St Annes unbeaten start to the season with an excellent display. Bob warmed the keepers hands in the first minute but it was St Annes who scored after just five minutes after a mix-up in the Maxtel defence and began to control possession as a result. Maxtel played on the break and Sparky failed to connect properly with a left-foot strike after a great through ball from Billy in the best opening of the first half.

Maxtel took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half and were soon level - the keeper dropped Stu's free-kick and Bob tapped in to level. In the 62nd minute Maxtel went in front, when Bob released Tommy down the left and his pull back from the by line found Bevo who slotted home first time. An excellent move capped by a great finish from the skipper that arced away from the keeper and nestled in the bottom corner. St Annes went close to equalising twice before a corner was handballed in - the ref spotting the infringement to everyone's relief. Then Bob's shot was saved by a combination of the keeper and post after a brilliant run but Maxtel were not to be denied as Billy headed in from the resulting corner. In a brilliant 2nd half performance, Bob set up Sparky who sent a rocket past the keeper for a goal he richly deserved in the 89th minute. St Annes kept going to their credit and forced Stu to head past John Beet in stoppage time but it was Maxtel's day.

Man of the Match - Bob, involved in all 4

Tackle of the Match – Den

Miss of the Match – Bevo

Shot of the Match – the 4th goal

Moan of the Match – the foul on Mark

Maxtel lined up for an early kick off with several first key men missing and failed "to get out of bed" letting in a goal in the first minute. They responded well though. First Bob latched on to an Andy flick-on but his controlled finish flew just wide of the post. Then Gilo warmed the keepers hands with a free-kick from the edge of the box. Soon after the goalie had to be at his best down to his left to keep out Andy's shot. At the other end Maxtel were defending resolutely. Beet was claiming everything, Biccies made a good recovery tackle to deny a second and Billy cleared superbly off the the line.

VIP proved their higher league standing and showed what they could do in a second half demolition of Maxtel. The only bright spot was Tommy slotting home his first of the season after a long throw was flicked on in the 88th minute.

Man of the Match - Tommy

Tackle of the Match – Biccies

Quote of the Match – "It doesn't matter if you lose 2-1 or 6-1 , you're still out the cup"

Save of the Match – Billy

Maxtel ended a disappointing run of three defeats against bottom of the table Yew Tree. Sparky returned to the first team with Billy and Gilo in a reshuffled line-up. Maxtel made hard work of getting a lead - Yew Tree came closest in the opening exchanges, hitting the underside of the bar and soon after forcing a good tip over from Beet. At the other end Bob's overhead kick narrowly flew over and he later had a shot superbly cleared off the line. The influential veteran then won a penalty that Gilo stepped up to coolly convert in the 29th minute - Stu relieved of spot kick duty after last weeks miss.

Seconds into the second half Maxtel took a grip - Gilo's corner forced over the line by Jonah's midriff. This opened the floodgates with Bevo bundling the ball home from close range to make it three before another Gilo penalty made it 4-0. Billy also got his name on the scoresheet from Bevo's cross as the home side crumbled before substitute Andy fired a low shot home to score on his competitive debut for the club.

Man of the Match - Tommy, nominated by the gaffer

Shot of the Match - the one that hit the bar

Moan of the Match – Bevo wanted a penalty early on

Miss of the Match – Gilo - 1st half

Quote of the Match – "Smile you miserable bastards"

Save of the Match – the clearance off the line

Maxtel let in a late goal just like they did against The Maggies, Conway Albion and Sporting Hall Green to lose in a disappointing match. Tommy fired just wide early on after a good move. Then Stu spurned the chance to give Maxtel the lead from the penalty spot after Bevo was tripped - the keeper saving well down to his right.

In a game of few shots on target, the second half became more and more scrappy. Boca won it after a long clearance from their goalie bounced over everyone including Clarkey who frustratingly had made a brilliant save minutes earlier down to his right to keep Maxtel level.

Man of the Match - their goalie

Shot of the Match - the goal

Miss of the Match – Stu's penalty

Quote of the Match – "we're not going to win the cup" - Bevo

Save of the Match – Clarkey

Maxtel were depleted for this crucial cup clash to to heavy drinking the previous night among much of the squad. It was backs to the wall for much of the first half - Clarke made a memorable save that rebounded to safety and John Beet was doing his best to head everything away. Yet again Maxtel were denied by the woodwork, after Tommy's strike against the post last week new boy Rich hit the bar with a close range shot after a neat build up involving Jonah & Steve - he really should have scored. Maxtel were made to pay when seconds later Centurion went in front with a 20 yard shot in the 40th minute.

In the second half Maxtel immediately gifted possession to Chelmsley straight from the kick-off and were made to pay the price. The resulting corner was hammered past Bevo on the near post to make it 2-0 thirty seconds into the second half. Maxtel made a fight of it, Rich making amends by finishing off their best move of the game with a neat left foot finish in off the post to give them hope. This did not last long as John Beet clattered number 12 right on the edge of the box. The free-kick was hammered into the top corner at with venom to make it 3-1. Jonah had a fine volley from a corner cleared off the line in the dying seconds but it would have been too little too late.

Man of the Match - Jonah

Shot of the Match - the free kick

Miss of the Match – Rich

Quote of the Match – "Even Crackers could have scored that"

Question of the Weekend – "Where are we playing tomorrow Biccies?"

Maxtel were cruelly denied by a last minute goal for the second match running after pushing higher league opposition all the way in the cup. Maxtel had nothing to lose and started the brighter under skipper for the day Gilo as Maggies were late turning up. Two passes from Bob and Stevie Bell set up Sparky to give them the lead but controversially the flag went up. Later he shot just wide when the keeper had gone walkabout. He was not to be denied though when a neat build up including Jonah & Bell again released him to tap home at the second attempt from close range. At the other end Beet was being well protected and when Maggies put together a fine move Mark was there to incredibly deflect the ball onto the post and clear.

The visitors got their act together in the second period and picked up two headed goals from pin point crosses to reflect their standing two leagues above. Tommy had a superb strike at the other end clatter the post which rebounded onto the keeper but agonisingly stayed out. Then with hope fading Sparky again sent a superb strike in from 25 yards to leave the keeper grasping thin air to send the match into extra time. With both teams tiring quality dropped and with penalties seconds away Maggies broke away to decide the tie.

Man of the Match - Bob, Sparky or Tommy

Save of the Match - Mark's clearance off the line

Shot of the Match - Tommy

Moan of the Match – last minute goal again

Quote of the Match – "Just give me one chance" - Stu

Maxtel were pinned back for long periods of the match but looked likely to grab all three points. Steve Bell struck first for the visitors after a fine through ball from Stu Whereat - his shot taking a significant deflection and arcing beautifully round the keeper to nestle in the far corner. Conway should already have been ahead by this point, John Beet dropping to his left to palm away brilliantly with his first touch of the game. Conway responded well to going behind and carved out several chances, the best of which a long range shot that Beet was equal to.

Early in the second half Tommy flashed a shot just wide and an attempted lob flew just over the Maxtel goal. Maxtel then doubled their lead Steve Bell nodding home for his fifth of the season. With ten minutes to go Conway found a lifeline, the no.9 firing a sweet drive in giving Beet no chance. Steve Bell spurned his hat-trick chance at the other end forcing a double save before a stoppage time equaliser deflecting in after a scramble. There was still time for Maxtel to manufacture a late chance but Mark fired wide after putting a knackering shift in up front.

Man of the Match - Mark (nominated by Bob)

Save of the Match - John Beet first 5 mins

Moan of the Match – stoppage time equaliser

Quote of the Match – "Your celebration was a bit gay"

Physio of the Match – Gilo

Bet of the Weekend – Anelka to score at any-time

Good home win for Maxtel who dispatched Northfield without getting into top gear. First Stevie Bell pounced on a long ball, that the defender missed, he seemed to recover but his header fell short and Bell dinked the ball in for his third of the season. Soon after Craig sent over a peach of a corner and Dan nodded home for his first goal in Maxtel colours. Northfield huffed and puffed, first a shot was superbly tipped onto the bar and over by John Beet. Then after a scramble they hit the post after a corner but was the closest they came.

Bevo completed the scoring when his shot was wickedly deflected past the visiting keeper. Bob shot just over and Billy was off-target with a speculative effort as Maxtel cruised to the finishing line giving stand-in gaffers Gilo maximum points.

Man of the Match - Dan - clean sheet & goal

Save of the Match - John Beet tipped one onto the bar

Moan of the Match – Poor goal celebrations

Quote of the Match – "You can't see the smoke for the tree's lads"

Maxtel again made hard work for themselves gifting Yardley a 2 goal lead and giving themselves a mountain to climb. First a soft penalty was dispatched after Stu was adjudged to have handled, then a routine corner was smashed home after Maxtel failed to clear. Bevo had a sharp strike tipped round superbly but there was little for Maxtel to cheer.

Maxtel kept going and turned it round dramatically in the second half. Stevie Bell hit the bar with a header and soon after Maxtel were back in with a shout, Billy nodding home after a superb header from Mark to keep the ball in the danger area. Then Mark got his name on the scoresheet twice finishing off a fine move, then capitalizing on a mix-up for the second when the ball was blasted against him from close range and rebounded in. It was one-way traffic now with Tommy bringing out a great save from a sublime cross, then Stevie Bell rounded the keeper to slot home. Stu then fired in a free-kick which was too hot for the goalie to handle to make it 5-2. Late on, Yardley lost their discipline which saw them down to nine men - there was still time for them to hit the post with a fine free-kick in the dying minutes though.

Man of the Match - Bevo

Save of the Match - Kilroy tipping round Bevo's 1st half strike

Moan of the Match – double red shame, soft penalty

Foul of the Match – Billy on the corner flag

Quote of the Match – "If we lose to these we'll be in a **** position"

Maxtel kicked off another season with transfer coups Danny C & Mark Nichols making their first competitive start for the club and Den Regan making a welcome return. Maxtel were slow to start but opened the scoring against the run of play when Bob raced through to see off the challenge and fire home in style to keep up his record of scoring in every season for Maxtel. Sporting levelled from a corner and took a 3-1 lead with two quality finishes - the new look Maxtel defence still gelling. Maxtel got back in it when Jones volleyed home from close range after a fine cross from Tommy. Den had to be carried off just before half time.

Maxtel came out for the second half with a much better display - and Billy's long range shot left the keeper grasping thin air to level. They now looked favourites to go and take all 3 points. Mark turned in a super shift up front but his workrate was not rewarded when his shot slammed against the bar. With 5 mins to go, Sporting found the sucker punch when a weak shot evaded everybody to nestle in the corner.

Defender of the Match - Mark

Forward of the Match - Mark

Moan of the Match – Bob was elbowed in the face

Shot of the Match – Billy!

Quote of the Match – "You haven't got out of first gear yet lads" / "I feel sick... sick to the stomach"

Rowood took a deserved lead popping the ball home from close range after Beet had saved well down to his left. Beaven had returned from his extended summer break and looked short of match practice as his shot flew wide after a scramble at a corner.

Clarke came on at half-time and produced a series of saves to keep Maxtel in it. Biccies wasted a golden chance to steal a point late on heading Giles' cross onto the bar. 

Man of the Match - Tommy

Shot of the Match – Lee's effort in the first half that went miles over

Quote of the Match – "I've been at the club five years and he still hasn't played me at centre half"

Maxtel fielded yet another patched up squad for this second warm up game with only a squad of twelve and three goalkeepers, at least one of which was mentally unfocussed. On a scorching hot day Johnny Barratt helped out up front and was paired with biccies. Clarkey took the gloves and made a super first half save tipping the ball onto the post - the rebound came back, hit him on the head and bizarrely bounced wide. Stand in gaffer Gilo was incredibly quiet at half time trusting the lads to keep up the good job they were doing.

Maxtel's centre halves headed everything away in a super display allowing Maxtel to take a shock lead when Barratt finished in style after a long upfield ball. Queslett responded to level mid way through the second half. Maxtel showed great character to regain the lead, a long throw was flicked on and Barratt turned and fired home into the corner. Maxtel should have had a late penalty when Bics was brought down by the keeper but the ref denied them. Queslett dominated the closing stages but couldn't find the final ball.

Man of the Match - Clarke

Moan of the Match – clear penalty turned down & no-one could work out how to open the changing rooms

Shot of the Match – Johnny B's 1st

Suncream of the Match – Factor 20

Quote of the Match – Gilo at half time - saying nothing

Maxtel fielded a patched up squad for this second warm up game with Mikey making a guest appearance in the middle of the park and the big man Lee making a late cameo up front. After falling behind to an early deflected shot, Mark sent a speculative shot upfield - this should have been a routine take but embarrassed the keeper by bouncing over him for soft equalizer. Windimere restored the lead only for Steve Bell to tap home with his heel after a great break down the right from Mark again.

In a match full of inept defending Maxtel went in front when a Stu free-kick was inexplicably spooned onto the bar by the keeper - Tommy pounced to gobble up the chance and bungle the ball over the line from one yard out. This started a siege on the Maxtel goal, the equalizer was fired in from 18 yards. Soon after a ridiculous penalty was given by the referee who somehow saw an infringement from the half-way line - this was buried to make it 4-3. With the match threatening to boil over Stu rode the weakest challenge ever to fire home with the left peg to complete the farce.

Man of the Match - Mark

Moan of the Match – diabolical penalty given against Maxtel

Shot of the Match – Stu

Quote of the Match – "This could be 3-3"

Maxtel returned to action but looked rusty in the early exchanges and although Mark went close to breaking the deadlock they eventually fell behind mid way through the first half in a game of several substitutions.

In the second half Maxtel finally found some sharpness. Podge came on to boss the back-line superbly. Then Billy broke the off-side trap to fire home in style and level. Then youngster Andy rode several challenges to prod home from close range. Justin then decided to rest some of the fitter players and threw on Gilo & Bics up top. The Sheringham of Maxtel responded and scored with his first touch after great work from Andy to put the chance on a plate for him. Then Billy popped a pass, which bics was able to help on to Andy who broke free for his second of a promising debut. There was still time for Bics to claim a late second firing home with the left peg from the edge of the area after the goalie had been caught in no mans land to send the veteran into dreamland.

Man of the Match - Billy/Biccies/Mark/Andy

Moan of the Match – first half was too short

Shot of the Match – Billy or Biccies 2nd

Celebration of the Match – Biccies finally got to do his 'Anelka'

Quote of the Match – "Unlucky Billy" - Mark just as Bill scored