Barratt makes the most of free role against Gulls
Maidenhead United FC: Forward scores ‘Gazza-esque’ goal of the season contender
Sam Barratt made the most of his free role up front in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Torquay United, scoring one of the National League's goals of the season to put the Magpies ahead midway through the second half.
It perhaps wasn't his greatest performance in a black and white shirt, having been pushed further forward alongside Nathan Blissett in the absence of Josh Kelly, but he scored a goal that's right up there alongside his best for the club.
In scenes reminiscent to Paul Gascoigne's famous goal against Scotland at Euro 96, Barratt collected the ball just inside the area, flicked it over the defender's header and walloped a volley beyond Gulls' keeper Shaun MacDonald.
It was a goal worthy of winning any game of football and the only disappointment from the trip to Plainmoor is that the Magpies weren't quite able to hold onto that lead.
The 90 minutes were already up when Joe Lewis levelled for the hosts to salvage a share of the spoils, but this was still an impressive performance from a Magpies side who have little to play for other than pride, having wrapped up survival several weeks ago.
Speaking to the Magpies media officer, Grace Scott, after the game, Barratt said: “It's been a frustrating old season. I just got a little knock that's snowballed into something longer.
“I was a bit gutted after last season, but that's football.
“I got a free role up top today. When the gaffer told me about it I fancied it and I'm glad I came up with the goods.
“It felt a bit different. I haven't played up there since probably the first time I was here, in our first season in the National League. He told me to get around Bliss (Nathan Blissett) to get in the right areas and to get on the ball. I didn't get on it or hold it as much as I should have but playing up top you've got to get goals and I'm glad I scored a goal, and I was pretty pleased with it as well. It's a long journey but we'll now get some fish and chips and then we'll be off.”
Manager Alan Devonshire was also pleased with his players' efforts against an inform Gulls side, despite the disappointment of conceding a last-minute equaliser.
“Yeah, I was pleased,” he said. “We didn't look like we were going to concede until late on. I'd have come and taken a point here.
“We played Sam up front today. It was pleasing for him to score but I don't think he's had the best of games, but he'll always do that and score something out of nothing. When he scored that I felt we were going to go on and win the game.
“We'll take a point and move on, that's five games unbeaten now and we want to carry on
getting results between now and the end of the season.
“It's been a tough season; this is probably the worst we've had in terms of injuries. we've had four or five out long term and when you're a small
club like we are that hurts. It's been taxing really, and I'll be glad of a rest but we're building for next year already and hopefully we can build on what we've done so far this season.”