Home failures are blamed on defence (21.03.03)

MUCH has been made of Maidenhead United’s poor home form this season, where they have won just four of their 17 league games.
Some believe the Magpies can only perform as well, or as poorly, as their opponents, and hence struggle when teams play a less expansive game away from home.
However, manager Alan Devonshire has a different theory for his side’s lack of success at York Road.
He said: “We’ve scored the same number of goals at home and away, so it’s not our goal-scoring that lets us down.
“It’s our defending. Maybe we just try to force it too much at home and don’t defend as a team.”
Tuesday night’s dismal defeat to Bishop’s Stortford does support some aspects of this argument, especially as United led 2-0 after 23 minutes, and then conceded three goals.
Devonshire said of the game: “We played really well in the first half hour.
“Going in two-up we would have gone on to win it. We were quite comfortable.
“Then a couple of refereeing decisions changed the game.”
Shortly before the break, the referee awarded Bishop’s Stortford a penalty, after Richard Barnard and Victor Renner tangled in the box.
Devonshire said: “99.999 per cent of the time that would have been a free-kick to us, but the ref gives a penalty. Their players didn’t even appeal for it. It was unbelievable. You can’t account for that.”
The man in black then ignored an apparent offside, when the visitors scored from a free-kick a few minutes later.
Devonshire added: “The second goal was sloppy defending, but the boy was four yards offside.
“If you get two goals given against you, you are going to struggle. I think that knocked the stuffing out of the players and we panicked a bit after that.”
However, referees and panic apart, there seems to be something amiss with Devonshire’s theory, as United held high-flying Canvey Island to a battling draw on Saturday, and beat title-contenders Purfleet at York Road before Christmas.
Conversely, United have only beaten one of the bottom six clubs all season, home or away, a fact Devonshire explained by adding: “There are no poor teams in this league. As I’ve always said, it’s going to be tough with four teams going down.”
Speaking of which, the Magpies are now just eight points away from the drop zone and must pick up points over the next few weeks if they are to avoid being dragged into the relegation battle.

Tomorrow (Saturday) United make the long trip to Heybridge Swifts, in Essex.
Devonshire said: “They’ve been signing new players and they haven’t lost in a while. They’re fighting for their lives, so it’s going to be tough.”

On Tuesday, the Magpies visit Chesham for a traditionally fiery derby clash.
Devonshire added: “We spanked them at our place early in the season. They will be looking to turn that round, so it’s going to be another tough game.”

Wing-back Obinna Ulasi eased his way into the top 10 Magpies of all time this week, when he made his 298th appearance for the club.
Devonshire said: “Obi’s been a great servant for us at Maidenhead. He’s done brilliant for me.”

Right-sided defender Andy Rose has signed for Division 1 South stragglers Molesey, having struggled to secure a permanent place in United’s starting line-up.

Jermaine Hunter’s two-game career at York Road ended last week, when he signed for Grays Athletic