Sam scores a hat-trick in victory at Victoria Park
Maidenhead United FC: Mags beat promotion contenders Hartlepool with 10 men
Hartlepool United 2,
Maidenhead United 4
Sam Barratt netted a hat-trick as 10-man Maidenhead United returned from Hartlepool United with all three points on Saturday.
United produced one of their best away performances of the season, and took another scalp of a promotion contender, despite playing for more than half the game with only 10 men after Ryheem Sheckleford was shown a straight red card in the 42nd minute.
By that stage United already led 2-1 thanks to goals from Danilo Orsi-Dadomo, who calmly stroked the visitors ahead, and Barratt.
Both sides traded chances in the opening 10 minutes, with Rhys Oates forcing an early save from Rhys Lovett and Dan Sparkes firing an effort a whisker over the crossbar in the seventh minute. Having gone three matches without a goal Orsi-Dadomo stroked home the Magpies' opener in the 15th minute, running onto Barratt's flick and slotting beyond Ravas on the angle.
Oates brought the sides level shortly before the half-hour mark, dancing through some flimsy Maidenhead tackles before planting the ball past Lovett. Hi solo strike gave the hosts a much-needed lift, and they came close to a second when Harvey Saunders was denied by the woodwork.
The action quickly swung back down the other end and Barratt finished off a sweeping move, after Orsi-Dadomo's effort had been saved, to make it 2-1. Sheckleford received his marching orders in the 42nd minute for a late challenge but United made it to half-time with their lead in tact.
Maidenhead must have thought they'd have to withstand a second half barrage of pressure from Pools, but instead a quick-fire double from Barratt tipped the scales firmly in their favour.
He gave the visitors some breathing space in the 47th minute, latching onto Lovett's goalkick before firing the ball into the net from long range.
Barratt then completed an impressive hat-trick in similar fashion, picking out the bottom corner from distance to give the Magpies an unassailable lead. Despite conceding again in the 86th minute, when Danny Elliot found the net for the hosts, United held on comfortably to seal victory.