Flukey defeat was ‘daylight robbery’ (14.11.02)

MAIDENHEAD United were struck by another arrow of outrageous fortune on Saturday, when a calamitous deflection gave Canvey Island the edge in a five-goal thriller at Park Lane.
Having pulled back from a goal behind to lead 2-1 – and with just 15 minutes left on the clock – the Magpies looked set for an impressive away win.
However, it was about to go horribly wrong, when the ever dependable Andy Morley came under pressure at the back.
Manager Alan Devonshire explained: “After 75 minutes we were comfortable and in control.
“Then Andy Morley got shut down and volleyed the ball out of defence.
“It struck their guy’s knee and looped over the top of Nick Hart into the back corner.
“The goal gave them a lift and they went on to score a very good winner.”
What made the defeat particularly hard to bear was the repeat scoreline from United’s farcical exit from the FA Trophy the previous week, when they dominated play for 85 minutes, but still found themselves on the losing side.
Despite two defeats on the trot, United’s fans will have little to complain about, as they are being treated to some very attractive attacking football.
However, everyone at the club is now praying for a change in fortune.
Devonshire added: “A fluke undid us on Saturday, and you can’t legislate for that.
“Even their manager said it was daylight robbery and that we didn’t deserve to lose that way.
“We played really well and it was a really good game, but the results just aren’t going our way at the moment.”
Not that luck tells the entire story, as the Magpies’ recent defensive record reveals.
In their last three outings, United have conceded 10 goals, a trend dating back to their 3-0 win over Ford United in mid-October.
Following that win, first-choice keeper Richard Barnard was brutally assaulted outside his parents’ house and has been unable to play since.
Devonshire said: “It’s no coincidence that Richie has been out for three games and we’ve let in 10 goals.
“There’s no blame on Nicky Hart. There’s nothing he could have done about the goals. But it’s unsettling for the defence when they’re not familiar with the keeper.
“Richie is seeing the doctor on Thursday, and he’s coming to watch the game on Saturday.
“We’ll know more by the weekend, and whether he’ll be out for the rest of the season or not.
“But replacing him is going to be very difficult.”
Tomorrow (Saturday) United entertain lowly Ford United at York Road, hoping to repeat last month’s result in Essex.
Devonshire said: “Hopefully we can get a win, but it’s not going to be easy.
“They have lots of new players, so we can’t just turn up and take all three points.
“We beat them 3-0 a few weeks back, but they’ve only lost once since, and that was against Forest Green Rovers.
“They’re dangerous and they’re scoring a lot of goals.
“Everyone is fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table, so it’s going to be a very tough game.”