MAGPIES HALT RAVENS’ RISE!
MAIDENHEAD United held promotion chasing Bromley to a deserved draw at York Road – and could so easily have won it as the sides traded chances in the second half.
Bromley – who were looking to cut the gap on leaders Chesterfield and put themselves back in the title race – never had things all their own way in an even clash which swayed one way and then the other.
Andy Woodman’s side will feel they edged the first half, but the Magpies created the better chances and even had the ball in the net through the returning Kevin Lokko in the 10th minute.
Lokko back after several months out with injury, made his presence felt in an excellent defensive display and looked like getting his name on the scoresheet whe hooking home from close range, only to be deied by referee Callum Walchester, who spotted an obstruction.
The best of the game’s chances came as the game opened up late on following the introduction of Maidenhead’s Shawn McCoulsky.
Twice in the final 15 minutes McCoulsky could have given the Magpies a precious lead and had he managed to find the back of Grant Smith’s net, few of a Bromley persuasion could have begrudged the Magpies their win.
At the other end, Bromley also created their fair share of chances and hit the post through Sam Woods in the second half.
Michael Cheek sent a left-footed shot whistling wide of the post on 13 minutes and was denied again by a brave block from Massey.
When they did break down Maidenhead’s resilient defence, the post came to the hosts’ rescue with Woods’ hooking a low cross onto the base of the upright.
In the closing stages, Bromley fans thought they’d won it when Josh Passley got up in front of Ross to head the ball goalwards, but the ever-dependable Massey was there on the line to clear and earn his side a deserved share of the spoils.
Magpies assistant boss Ryan Peters said: “We wanted to come back with a bang after Wealdstone and we did that. These are a good side, they’re second in the league.
“Second half we pressed and harried, we attacked at will. We probably could have won the game. I know they had one cleared off the line at our end, but it was a terrific second half from us.”
Bromley boss Andy Woodman added: “It’s not an easy place to come. They’ve been on a good run. We couldn’t get our passing going and they don’t give you a moment’s rest. Fair play to them.
“Alan Devonshire is a wily manager, and he knows how to set up his side to stop you doing what you want to do. It could have gone either way.” STAR MAN: Alan Massey (Maidenhead)
ATT: 1,548
ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★
REFEREE: Callum Walchester