WE’RE IN A DOGFIGHT MOANS DEV

ALAN Devonshire says Maidenhead United are already in a relegation scrap – just FIVE games into the season!

His side were beaten 2-1 at theSuper 6 Stadium as Luke James and Nicky Featherstone secured all three points for Pools. Alan Massey bagged a late consolation.

No win in five and rock bottom of the National League table, Devonshire already accepts 2018-19 is going to be a struggle for his side.

“We are in a battle already,” said the wily Magpies chief. “If you look at the teams at the bottom end of the table they are all new teams.

“We lost our four best players before the season and have had to replace them. It can take time to gel. But this is no excuse. We need to improve.”

It was the hosts who started brighter, with Mark Kitching going close early doors but seeing his effort thwarted by the sprawling figure of Carl Pentney.

Victoria Park is familiar territory for Magpies striker Ryan Bird – who had a sixgame loan spell at Pools back in 2015 – and he almost marked his return with a goal. But his header from a searching cross skidded wide of Scott Loach’s post.

While Pools dominated, they were sloppy in possession, presenting a number of opportunities for the visitors to break. Ayo Obileye almost capitalised on once such lapse, narrowly missing out from six yards after some lax defending.

Goalless at the break – all that changed within a minute and a half after the restart.

A delightful cross by Ryan Donaldson found James in the area and the striker guided home his first goal in his third spell at Pools.

That goal seemed to spark the hosts into action – Liam Noble saw a 25-yard thunder- bolt tipped on to the bar by the excellent Pentney before Pools bagged a second.

Despite rarely leaving the central third, Featherstone strode into the Magpies’ area unchallenged and rounded Pentney. Having been pushed wide he produced one of the best finishes you will see all season, dinking over the top of the visiting keeper and in to the far corner.

After a half of ifs and buts, Pools took the game by the scruff of the neck.

And despite a nervy end, in which Maidenhead skipper Massey nodded in a consolation, Pools, this time, hung on, having failed to do so previously against Braintree and Harrogate this campaign.

“It feels very nice to get the first win,” said manager Matthew Bates. “That’s us now, the money is off our backs. Now we go on and make a statement in this league.

“I think over the 90 minutes the win was thoroughly deserved.”