Magpies overcome adversity to pocket point against the Glovers
Maidenhead United FC: Devonshire's men shade proceedings at Huish Park despite Mingi's red card on debut
Yeovil Town 0, Maidenhead United 0 Maidenhead United overcame adversity to grind out a well-deserved point from a goalless draw at Huish Park on Tuesday.
The Magpies were up against it even before kick-off, with midfielder Ryan Upward - selected in the starting XI - suffering a back spasm just before the game.
He was replaced by Charlee Adams who was joined in central midfield by new loan signing Jay Mingi, however, the Portsmouth player's debut didn't go exactly to plan as he saw red with just under 20 minutes to go.
The otherwise impressive holding midfielder was dismissed after collecting two yellow cards, the second of which was debatable and described as 'harsh' by manager Alan Devonshire.
Mingi was one of six changes made by Devonshire following the side's last-gasp 3-2 defeat to King's Lynn Town on Saturday, a result that was agonising and frustrating in equal measure.
The visitors enjoyed the better of the first period and carved out the game's better chances, with Nathan Blissett heading a Reece Smith corner directly at Adam Smith in the Glovers' goal after 10 minutes.
The experienced Blissett was causing problems for Darren Sarll’s team, running on to a loose ball after Sam Barratt had charged down a clearance only to be snuffed out when he was about to pull the trigger before being brought down on the edge of the box when chasing onto a long ball at the cost of a yellow card to Yeovil’s Josh Staunton.
Blissett later capitalised on another defensive error but could only find the side-netting from a tight angle, however the hosts had the better of the final stages of the half with Joe Quigley nodding two presentable chances wide of Rhys Lovett’s goal.
A scrappy second period followed which was short on quality moments if not incident. Barratt tested Smith in the opening seconds of the half and Lovett was called into action to claw away the danger after George Wells had inadvertently flicked a Yeovil free kick goalward.
The Magpies keeper also had to be alert to deny Ben Seymour a tap in following Quigley’s cut back.
The scrappier the game became the more likely someone would depart for an early bath. Unfortunately for Mingi he fell foul of referee Adrian Quelch once too often. Already cautioned for a foul on Tom Knowles in the first half he was dismissed in the 71st minute for halting a Yeovil break from deep in his own half.
It was a disappointing end to what had been a promising debut, the midfielder looking composed and moved the ball quickly to set up Magpies' attacks, particularly in the first half.
Thereafter the Maidenhead 10 stayed firm and the only remote threat to their goal in that final twenty minutes came when Quigley nodded a hopeful high ball into the area wide of the far post. Devonshire’s men held out for the draw and were warmly applauded by the vocal 34 travelling supporters who made the long midweek trip. They next visit Altrincham on Saturday.