Magpies two points off drop zone after defeat
Maidenhead United FC: Rodney inspires Shaymen to 5-2 victory over struggling United
FC Halifax Town 5,
Maidenhead United 2 Maidenhead United were pulled to within two points of the relegation places after Devante Rodney inspired Halifax Town to a 5-2 win over the Magpies at The Shay on Saturday.
Rodney scored one and made another for the home side on his return from injury, while goals from Jack Redshaw and substitutes Jamie Allen and Michael Duckworth took the game away from Alan Devonshire’s men in the second half.
United, to their credit, battled well in the first half, and deservedly got themselves on level terms through Ryan Upward’s header on the stroke of half-time.
The Magpies had their moments, putting nine attempts off target as they struggled to keep pace with their hosts, but they struggled to handle both Redshaw and Rodney who ended up running the game for Halifax.
Redshaw was the first to test the Magpies goal, his shot from near the penalty spot tipped over by Taye AshbyHammond.
But the game quickly descended into a midfield battle for possession as both sides traded half chances.
Most of Maidenhead’s first half efforts came from outside the area, with top scorer Danny Whitehall sending a free-kick a yard or two wide of the Halifax goal.
The opening goal was an antidote to much of what had preceded it, with Charlie Cooper arrowing the ball into the net on the half-volley after Danny Williams’ low cross was only half-cleared.
Redshaw came close to doubling the home side’s lead with a curling shot that was comfortably saved by AshbyHammond. Whitehall then invoked the fury of Town’s players and supporters when he went down in the penalty area. The referee failed to give anything and both the Maidenhead striker and Maher were booked following a coming together after the incident.
United got themselves back on level terms in the 45th minute when Jeff King conceded a needless free-kick on the left side of the area and Upward rose highest to nod home from close range.
It was the side’s first effort on target in the match but failed to give them the springboard they would have been hoping for in the second half.
Momentum then swung the home side’s way in the space of a couple of minutes. Maidenhead came close to taking the lead in the second half when on-loan signing Ody Alfa just failed to touch home Seth Twumasi’s cross on his debut.
Then, Rodney burst down the right flank and whipped the ball in for Redshaw to tap home to make it 2-1.
Pete Wild’s team then took full control as Maidenhead’s resolute defending went AWOL for 20 minutes.
Rodney’s deflected effort rounded off a quick counter attack, as the Magpies got caught trying to get back into the game.
Jamie Allen nicked the ball off Joe Ellul before sliding it home from an angle to make it 4-1, and they weren't done there. Substitute Duckworth hammered home the side’s fifth, high into the net late on before the Magpies grabbed a late consolation through Bernard Mensah’s terrific long range strike in added time. The scoreline was slightly harsh on the Magpies but this was definitely the Shaymen’s day.
Maidenhead: Ashby-Hammond, Ellul, Davies (Mensah 80), Twumasi, Massey, Alfa (Keetch 85), Smile, Sheckleford, Upward, Akintunde (Fenelon 71), Whitehall. Subs not used: Steer, Smith.
Attendance: 1,981