United have some regrets but want to bounce back
Maidenhead United lived to regret a host of missed chances as they slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Notts County in a classic game of two halves at Meadow Lane on Saturday.
The Magpies should have been ahead after dominating the early stages of the match, with the returning Sammy Barratt looking especially lively. But those chases weren't taken, and, perhaps not surprisingly against a side as good as Notts County, they weren't able to maintain their level in the second half.
Alex Lacey fired home from close range after the visitors switched off from a 48th minute corner kick and United weren't able to rediscover their attacking form
from the opening half an hour.
“Our first half efforts warranted a lot more than going in at 0-0,” said assistant boss Ryan Peters.
“We had some really good opportunities in the first half and against a team as strong as Notts County, if you don’t take those chances you’ll live to regret them.
“First half we looked really solid, created a number of chances, they didn’t look like troubling us at all. So we asked for more of the same at half-time, whatever you do don’t lose your men and carry on attacking, but unfortunately, one slip up from a set piece has led to them scoring a goal and then we didn’t get out of the blocks second half and that led to them getting a penalty.
“We were a little bit frustrated with that second half.
“The second half efforts were a bit like some of our other games this season when we weren’t able to impose ourselves on the game in the way we would have liked to. The real cause of frustration is that we had four attackers on the pitch in the second half, but we have to move on now. The first half efforts were pleasing.”
The Magpies management team will take the positives from a pleasing first half display, as well as the return of Barratt from injury.
“He’s one of the best players in this league, so when you don’t have him in the side you’re going to feel it,” added Peters.
“But when he’s back in, in the first half you see he beats his man five or six times and gets a number of decent crosses in. He brings a completely different element to our game and we’re happy to have him back.