United stop the
Maidenhead United v FC Halifax Town: Alan Devonshire’s men pick up
Maidenhead United 1, FC Halifax Town 1
After a run of three defeats in the National League, Maidenhead United were able to take a valuable point from FC Halifax Town at York Road on Saturday.
In truth, Alan Devonshire and his men should have been celebrating all three at full-time for the chances they had, especially in the game’s dying embers.
But a failure to hit the target, combined with some impressive saves from Sam Johnson, means the wait goes on for the Magpies’ faithful to see another win this season.
The Magpies went in front on the stroke of half-time when Cole Kpekawa finished competently at the back post.
But within just 60 seconds of being introduced as a second-half substitute, Jordan Slew capitalised on a lapse in concentration and rolled in a tame finish to restore parity for the Shaymen.
“That’s two points dropped today. I don’t know how we didn’t score a second goal,” Devonshire told the Advertiser after the match.
“We had a good chance after half-time to kill the game, we hit the bar, we hit the post. It was just one of those days. The main thing is we stopped the rot.”
Maidenhead United started on the front foot and went close to opening the scoring in the 19th minute when Koby Arthur's curled effort – heading for the top right corner – grazed the crossbar.
The Shaymen had to come from behind to snatch a share of the spoils at York Road, as Cole Kpekawa opened the scoring in the first half’s injury time competently at the back post.
Within just 60 seconds of being introduced as a second half substitute, Jordan Slew cap
italised on a lapse in concentration and rolled in a tame finish.
Koby Arthur registered the Magpies first significant attempt in the 19th minute, a curled effort that was intended for the top right corner yet grazed the crossbar.
A strong double save by Johnson denied the Magpies again in the 38th minute – Remy Clerima first stifled with a low strike before Kane Ferdinand's follow-up was smothered.
Nevertheless, their pressure eventually bore fruit moments later when Kpekawa converted from an out-swinging corner to give the hosts a one-goal advantage at the break.
Emile Acquah was incredibly unfortunate not to have doubled the Magpies’ lead in the 47th minute having been presented one-onone with Johnson following Arthur’s quickthinking.
However, just after the hour mark, Halifax
Town boss Chris Millington turned to his bench and brought off Angelo Cappello for Slew, and that decision proved to be a masterstroke as the number 25 found the back of the net within a minute.
In need of a goal, Devonshire too turned to his substitutes, and it was Adrian Clifton’s cameo in the final 10 minutes that had the home support in full voice.
The striker first won his side a corner intelligently that he subsequently came close to scoring from.
Then, he tested Johnson’s reflexes with a low drive before opening up the space for Shawn McCoulsky to crack off a shot which rattled the crossbar.
Stoppage time saw the only yellow cards of the game, given to Temi Eweka and Slew for their involvement in an altercation which broke out after a poor tackle, before referee Sam Mulhall blew up to ease the tension.