United leave it late to claim a point (07.09.06)

Maidenhead United (0) 1, Hemel Hempstead Town (0) 1

A GOAL two minutes from time earned Maidenhead United a share of the spoils at York Road on Tuesday night, as they came from behind to grab a 1-1 draw against recently promoted Hemel Hempstead Town.
After a goalless first half, Chris Herron side-footed the ball past Chico Ramos on 50 minutes to give the visitors the lead.
All three points seemed to be heading back to Hertfordshire until Yashwa Romeo popped at the far post to stab home the equaliser from an 88th-minute corner.
The Tudors went all out for a late winner, but had to rely on their keeper to deny the Magpies at the death, when he clawed Ashley Smith’s long-range effort out of the top corner.
United’s manager Carl Taylor was naturally relieved to have rescued something from the game.
However, having started the night with three out-and-out strikers on the pitch, he clearly expected better.
“He said: “It’s unbelievable. I can’t fault them for anything other than the obvious (scoring goals).
“We just have to get round it. All the strikers are capable of scoring goals.”
Some had questioned Taylor’s tactic of playing with three up front, but the formation was a direct attempt to undermine Hemel’s tactic of playing three at the back.
He said: “It was to keep them penned in. We did that and they had to pull back a midfielder and the wing backs.
“Hemel just got a goal on the break from one of our corners. They didn’t even get a sniff in the first half.”
Discussing Saturday’s late comeback at Merthyr Tidfil, Taylor said: “As a game of football is was a pretty good one.
“They battered us for half and hour but we kept going and we had chances of our own.”
As for the way forward, Taylor added: “We have one of the best defensive records in the league.
“All we can do is keep going and keep working hard. Everything else is right and we’re creating chances.
“It’s hard to say you’re satisfied because of the points situation. But if I had just been watching them play, I would be happy with the performances, the team spirit, the bonding and the method.
“The only issue is we haven’t won yet. But I will sort out the final third. It’s all we’re working on in training. They are working too hard and playing too well not to win.
“They don’t give in and they won’t give in. They have a massive desire to win.”

On Saturday, Maidenhead United make the long trip to Halesowen Town in the Midlands.
Taylor said: “They’re another big, physical side with two big forwards. So it’s going to be tough. But we’ll be changing the way we play for Saturday’s game.
“I have a scenario I might employ to get behind them a bit more.”

Carterton won 2-1 at Fareham on Saturday to earn the right to travel to York Road on September 16 for a FA Cup first round qualifying tie against Maidenhead United.