Dynamic duo start to gel for Magpies (Story posted 19.09.02)

MAIDENHEAD United extended their stay in the top-flight of the Ryman Premier this week, with a last-gasp win over Bedford Town and a battling midweek draw at Harrow Borough.
In truth, the Magpies probably deserved to lose Saturday’s home game, as Bedford dominated the second half and played by far the better football.
However, the twin strike force of Lawrence Yaku and Mark Nicholls appears to have given United the footballing equivalent of a get-out-of-jail-free card.
Trailing 2-1, and with just two minutes of normal time remaining, Yaku pounced to pull United level, before Nicholls popped up three minutes later to deliver the coup-de-grace.
And on Tuesday it was a similar story.
Having fallen behind from a headed corner, due to sloppy marking, United seemed unable to get themselves back on level terms.
But, with just quarter of an hour to play, Nicholls fired a low cross into Yaku, who bundled the ball over the line for the vital equaliser.
And, had it not been for some acrobatic heroics from Harrow keeper Keita Karamoko, Nicholls would once again have bagged the winner.
The former Chelsea man, despite his propensity for gamesmanship, seems to be the key to the partnership and is rapidly becoming United’s target man, while Yaku is growing in confidence with every game and looks odds on to finish the season among the league’s leading scorers.
However, manager Alan Devonshire seemed slightly less enthusiastic about the pairing, although he did admit they were both impressive on the ball.
He said: “They’ve done all right but in certain games footballers aren’t what you need to win.
“They (Yaku and Nicholls) have been a bit quiet in some games and, apart from the last five minutes, they were poor on Saturday.
“I still have Adrian Allen and Lee Channell to come back.
“At the end of the day I will play the strikers I need for each game. I’ll mix and match.”
Saturday’s fortuitous win over Bedford had clearly riled the fiery coach, who described his team’s performance as ‘the worst in a long time’.
He added: “We were a bit fortunate. We didn’t play well at all.
“But we have played well in other games and not got the result we deserved.
“In the second half on Tuesday, we were absolutely excellent and we deserved to win, so perhaps the way we won on Saturday is fair enough.”

Monday’s draw for the second qualifying round of the FA Cup has thrown up an intriguing clash for the Magpies, who will entertain Kentish side Welling United at York Road, on September 28.
The Wings are having a rather shaky season in the Dr Martens Premier League, having only won three of their opening 10 games, and are currently in 16th place.
Devonshire said: “They were in the Conference two years ago, so they’re going to be tough.
“We could have had it a lot easier.
“At least we’re at home, so hopefully we can take advantage of that.”

Tomorrow (Saturday), United travel to Hendon, who are just one point behind the Magpies, but with a game in hand.

On Tuesday, the Magpies welcome Hitchin Town to York Road, which should prove an interesting encounter. Hitchin are 18th in the table, but are unbeaten in four outings, having claimed the impressive scalps of leaders St Albans and high-flying Basingstoke Town.
Devonshire added: “It’s as I said. Everyone is beating each other.”