Upwardly mobile Magpies thank last-gasp Ryan

IT’S onward and upward for Maidenhead United after a precision volley from midfielder Ryan Upward in stoppage-time snatched a seemingly unlikely victory against Havant & Waterlooville.

In an entertaining match during which both wellmatched teams created chances, it was local lad Upward’s late strike from the edge of the area which proved to be the difference.

The Hawks, going well in National League South, began promisingly against their National League hosts, yet it was the Magpies who took the lead on 23 minutes.

Sam Barratt, fresh from a training spell with England C during the week, picked himself off the ground after being fouled and, with the ref playing advantage, thumped a 25-yard effort which took a slight deflection before flying past keeper Ryan Young.

Havant replied with a Theo Lewis header, which was brilliantly saved by Carl Pentney, and a Ryan Woodford close range shot, which was cleared off the line by Alan Massey.

The deserved equaliser finally came five minutes into the second half when Jordan Rose’s shot was blocked in the six-yard area by Max Kilman, only for Jason Prior to follow up and volley in from eight yards.

Maidenhead had the better chances to take the tie – Barratt and Harry Pritchard firing efforts the wrong side of the woodwork, while Harold Odametey’s drive ricocheted off the cross bar.

The contest seemed destined for an equitable draw before a long punt down field was flicked into the path of Upward who produced an emphatic winner.