Improved display but a fourth-straight defeat
Lovett's penalty stop can't save United from narrow loss
Notts County 1,
Maidenhead United 0 Maidenhead United produced a much-improved display but still slipped to a fourth consecutive National League defeat as they lost 1-0 at promotion hopefuls Notts County on Saturday.
A big crowd at Meadow Lane created a good atmosphere for the game and Maidenhead certainly lived up to the occasion in the early stages.
With Sammy Barratt back in the starting line-up, the Magpies peppered the County goal with attempts in the opening 15 minutes. Josh Kelly fired wide from a tight angle after four minutes and Nathan Blissett glanced a header just over the bar from Charlee Adams delivery a few minutes later. Kelly then missed a great chance to fire the visitors in front when he blazed over the bar after being picked out in front of goal by Barratt in the 12th minute.
The hosts, who lost 3-2 at home to United last season, responded well and Sam Beckwith put in a great challenge to prevent them from taking the lead in the 28th minute.
Ed Francis then let fly with a strike that flashed wide.
In the 39th minute, Kane Ferdinand and Beckwith combined well with the latter going close again, but the sides came off level at the break despite Maidenhead having arguably had the better 45 minutes.
But Alan Devonshire’s team talk went out of the window within three minutes of the second half starting when Callum Roberts’ corner found Kyle Cameron at the back post and he knocked it back for Alex Lacey to turn and fire it past Rhys Lovett.
Lovett had a fine game for the Magpies, saving well from Francis in the 66th minute before keeping the Magpies in contention with a brilliant penalty save minutes later. The referee pointed to the spot when Ryan Upward brought down a County player in the area, but Lovett dived low to his left to push away Roberts’ spot-kick. Beckwith carried the ball dangerously into the box in the
75th minute, but the County defence quickly crowded him out and the chance went begging along with Maidenhead’s hopes of getting a result at Meadow Lane.
United drop to 16th in the table ahead of next weekend’s home game with unbeaten Grimsby Town. Third placed Grimsby are looking to make an immediate return to the Football League and have won five of their opening six matches.
Ryan Peters said: “The games don't get any easier unfortunately, that's the nature of the league we're in, but the idea is that we get back to winning ways as soon as possible. We don't intend to roll over so when they come we're going to be as strong as we can be.”