Magpies undone by gamesmanship (Story posted 26.09.02)

MAIDENHEAD United fans had much to endure this week, as they were subjected to an unsavoury draw on Saturday, followed by a pitiful defeat to Hitchin Town on Tuesday night.
The midweek debacle can probably be excused on the grounds of tomorrow’s vital FA Cup clash with Welling United at York Road, for which manager Alan Devonshire rested several key players.
But Saturday’s tied game at Hendon will leave many with a very bad taste in their mouths.
Not only did Devonshire’s regular criticisms of the men in black come back to haunt him, the Magpies also fell foul of a highly unpleasant display of gamesmanship from their hosts.
The trouble began when United’s keeper Richard Barnard cleared the ball to touch when he spotted an injured player on the deck.
Footballing etiquette demands the opposing team return the ball from the throw-in.
However, trailing 1-0 and determined to maintain their unbeaten home record, Hendon decided to keep the ball and quickly went on to score, albeit from an offside position.
United’s protests threatened to boil over into bookings, while the travelling fans bombarded the Hendon players with chants of ‘cheats, cheats’.
Unfortunately, Hendon seemed unabashed and were soon celebrating their narrow escape with their fans, while the Magpies left the field uttering harsh but fair remarks about dishonourable conduct – and poor refereeing.
Devonshire said: “We were all there to see it. So there’s not much to add.
“I think their officials were a bit embarrassed about it. But I would rather they just put their hands up and admit they made a mistake.”
And then came that dreadful defeat to Hitchin Town.
Devonshire summed up the defeat in a few choice words, saying: “We defended poorly.”
However, having watched the game, it seemed as though United had no choice but to defend badly, as the ageing legs of Steve Croxford and Brian Connor were asked to cover half of the pitch.
Croxford in particular was made to look very much worse than he actually is, as he was repeatedly skinned by Matt Nolan.
Devonshire claimed his stalwart defender had marked equally speedy defenders out of games in the past, citing Aldershot’s Stafford Browne as an example.
However, that was last year, when United were defending on the edge of their box, whereas the back three are more commonly found on the half-way line this season.
Connor was a slightly closer match for Carl Drew, but the sheer lopsidedness of it left United wide open to attack.
But, while Devonshire admitted his players may have been trapped in a Catch 22 situation, he made it very clear what he expected from them – and no excuses.
He added: “We can’t defend deep anymore. We are trying to play to our strengths and get up the pitch.
“It’s a long-term thing, so we just have to take the rough with the smooth. But the boys knew what they needed to do, and they didn’t do it.”
Tomorrow’s (Saturday’s) guests at York Road are Welling United from the Dr Martens Premier League.
Devonshire said: “It’s going to be tough. The Dr Martens Premier is a very physical league and their manager has a big reputation.
“It seems we have to do everything the hard way, but at least we’re at home, so it’s down to us to take advantage of that.”
The game kicks-off at 3pm.