Industrious hosts hold the Magpies
Replay required after 2-2 draw with Halesowen
Halesowen Town 2,
Maidenhead United 2
Maidenhead United will have to replay Halesowen Town for the chance to meet Halifax Town in the third round of the FA Trophy after the sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at The Grove on Saturday.
The Magpies took the lead twice but were twice pegged back by their industrious hosts, who play three levels below them in the Southern Division 1 Central.
Never overawed by their National League opponents they took the hits of falling behind to Joe Ellul’s early header on the chin and could claim by the end of 90 minutes they were deserving of a second bite of the cherry.
That second bite was due to take place on Tuesday night, but Storm Brendan led to it being pushed back a week and the tie will now take place this Tuesday night (January 21).
This was Halesowen’s 10th FA Trophy tie of the season, compared to the Magpies’ second and chances came thick and fast throughout at both ends.
United flew out of the traps with Ellul getting ahead of his marker to glance home Josh Smile’s corner in only the second minute.
But Alan Devonshire’s men never really got the measure of their hosts who forced Maidenhead keeper Chris Dunn into a number of saves before equalising.
They did so in the 41st minute, Robbie Bunn firing the ball into the top corner of Dunn’s net, giving the keeper little chance.
However, parity was shared for only a couple of minutes and the clinical Magpies restored their lead when Smile was played in on the right side of the area by Remy Clerima and swept a low shot into the bottom corner.
Paul Smith’s side then made a perfect start to the second half when defender Andy Parsons rose highest to direct home Bunn’s corner in the 49th minute.
Both teams carved out chances in the latter stages, and Devonshire will feel the visitors should have taken at least one of those. Ellul nearly headed home his second of the game and Jake Cassidy – who’s since departed for Stevenage – was denied by Brendon Bunn.
Ryan Upward volleyed a late chance over the bar in injury time and with that went Maidenhead’s hopes of getting the tie done and dusted at the first attempt.