SHAY BOSS: WE DID NOT DESERVE TO GET RESULT

JOSH KELLY netted twice as Maidenhead United produced a blistering first half display to bring down high-flying FC Halifax.

The Shaymen arrived at York Road fifth in the table, and off the back of impressive displays against Sutton United and Wrexham in recent weeks, but this was a reality check for Jamie Fullarton’s side.

In what was probably their best half of football since gaining promotion to the National League, Maidenhead simply blew their opponents away. Kelly scored the side’s first in the 12th minute, holding off his marker to head home James Comley’s cross from the right.

For the second in the 18th minute, Kelly was the provider, creating space on the left for a cut back that Adrian Clifton thumped home on his return from international duty with Montserrat.

The hosts third arrived in the 36th minute. Again the front pair were in sync as Clifton headed the ball on for Kelly, who kept his cool to beat Sam Johnson with a low finish.

A delighted Alan Devonshire said: “What we worked on in training, we’ve done on the pitch. We’ve played some great stuff in the first half and were so quick and sharp.

“That was a really good performance. We’ve coped with the injuries we’ve had today as well, and I don’t think Carl (Pentney) has had to make a save. If you’d said we’d beat Halifax 3-0, who have drawn against three big teams in the last few weeks, I’d have taken that. We blew them away.” Fullarton, the Halifax manager, added: “I don’t think it’s unfortunate. I don’t think we deserved anything better than what we got today. I think it shows in this league, if you don’t start correctly and give cheap goals away, you can’t expect to win games. “We’re disappointed, frustrated, laced with a little bit of anger, but you can’t say it was unfortunate.” The visitors managed only one shot on target in the first half, a tame effort from Jordan Preston in the 45th minute that Carl Pentney was able to fall upon. If the first half was one-way traffic for the Magpies, the second was more even but, despite seeing more of the ball, Halifax created little. Ayo Obileye blocked well after a nice turn and shot from Preston in the 55th minute, and Preston caused another moment of panic when his cross flashed dangerously across the Magpies’ area in the 76th minute. But Halifax were held at arm’s length by a welldrilled Magpies’ back-four. United saw Obileye sent off for a second bookable offence with a few minutes to go, the defender catching Jonathan Edwards as he dashed forward, but the home side saw the game out well.

STAR MAN: Josh Kelly (Maidenhead) ATT: 1,306 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Lloyd Wood 5/10