MAGPIES MATCH THE MARINERS
THEY came in hope rather than expectation but Maidenhead United’s fans were rewarded with a committed display which saw the Magpies battle back from a goal down to grab a share of the spoils.
Having come into the game off the back of four consecutive defeats, there was little optimism among the home crowd for a positive result, especially against a Mariners side who’d won five of their opening six matches since their demotion from League 2 last season.
However, after falling behind in the 73rd minute to a well-taken volley from Erico Sousa, they responded in fine fashion 10 minutes later when Kane Ferdinand rose well to head home Shaun Donnellan’s cross from the right.
Magpies boss, Alan Devonshire reflected: “It would have been criminal if we didn’t get something out of that. We’ve got a result and we’ve stopped the rot and can move on.
“I thought we were solid, and we also looked dangerous. I don’t think our wide boys played that well, they’d probably admit that, but we’ve managed to come away with a 1-1 draw.
It’s all good for the future.”
Mariners boss Paul Hurst added: “It looked like a performance where maybe we’d just done enough to win, but that would have been a little bit harsh on Maidenhead.
“There are different ways to win games. You’re not always going to blow teams away and dominate possession, but overall, there was a lack of enthusiasm to get on the ball and the energy levels were lower than anticipated.”
The initial omens weren’t especially good for the home side, with goalkeeper Rhys Lovett spilling a fiercely struck shot from John McAtee in the opening minutes, but the home side settled the better and were unfortunate not to have the lead at the interval with Sam Barratt looking their most likely scorer or creator.
Barratt and Josh Kelly both tested keeper James McKeown, while Sousa and McAtee both threatened for the visitors.
But all the Magpies’ hard work was undone on 73 minutes after a couple of defensive lapses.
First, Alan Massey allowed Harry Clifton to slip past him on the right and he was able to pick out the unmarked Erico Sousa who volleyed into the corner of the net past Lovett.
The Magpies, however, never gave up the ghost and hit back within 10 minutes – Shaun Donnellan whipping in a great ball for Ferdinand to head past McKeown.
There was late pressure from the visitors, but they created little of note and United held out to stop the rot and avoid a fifth straight league defeat.