Magpies find their shooting boots (27.02.03)

MAGNIFICENT Maidenhead United slammed home seven goals in two games this week, as they humbled both star-studded Grays Athletic and promotion-chasing neighbours Slough Town.
Saturday's 4-1 league win in Essex was undoubtedly one of their finest to date, as they outplayed their hosts in every department and could quite easily have scored six or seven, with just a little more luck.
Manager Alan Devonshire said: "It was a terrific performance. One of our best.
"No one has gone to their place and done that to them. It was a very disciplined performance and everyone did their job."
Tuesday night’s 3-1 Berks & Bucks Cup romp at York Road was executed in a very similar vein.
However, slightly worryingly, it was only United's second win at York Road since mid-September.
Conversely, after 15 games on the road, United have only lost to Canvey Island and Purfleet, and both times by a solitary goal.
If they had reproduced this kind of form at home they might be sitting in third spot, hot on the heels of title-chasing Canvey.
Clearly, this pattern of results must have something to do with the opposing styles of play adopted by United at home and away.
At York Road, they tend to push up and try to play their way through midfield.
On the road, they sit back, soak up the pressure and hit teams on the break. And very effectively too.
Perversely, this is just the tactic they used against the Rebels on Tuesday, with very similar results.
However, Devonshire attributed much of his side's recent success to their improving fitness.
He said: "I think we're just getting our sharpness back. I said a few weeks ago we needed more games, and having them on Saturday and Tuesday has helped us.
"We're quite a mobile side and now we're getting up to speed. I think we're just going to get better from here on in."
Also on a positive note, last season's leading scorer Lee Channell made a very welcome return to 1st team action against Slough Town, scoring twice within 13 minutes of his introduction.
Devonshire said: "His second goal was brilliant. He's taken some criticism lately, most of it unjustified, so I'm really pleased for the boy."

Tomorrow (Saturday), relegation favourites Hampton & Richmond Borough visit York Road, looking to end a dismal string of defeats in the league.
After a good run in mid-January and early February, Hampton have lost their last four games, conceding 11 goals and scoring just one in the process.
However, despite being 12 points adrift at the bottom of the table, with little or no hope of survival, they did show signs of life on Tuesday night.
Devonshire said: "They haven't won away from home, but they only lost 2-1 at Hayes last night (Tuesday). It's a dangerous game for us. It could be a banana skin."

On Tuesday, United make the trip to the Recreation Ground to play their postponed game against leaders Aldershot.
This is usually a game which Devonshire targets for a win, and there is little doubt the Shots will have been studying United's astonishing away form.
Consequently, this could prove a highly intriguing encounter.
Devonshire added: "They beat us 2-1 at our place, but they were a bit fortunate.
“They got a penalty and then we made a mistake to gift them their second.
"It's not as if they beat us in open play, so we'll be looking forward to that one."