Dulwich
Hamlet (H)
- 24.4.01|
Maidenhead
U (1) 1,
Dixon (og) 41 |
Dulwich
H (0) 0
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| MAIDENHEAD
United took a huge step towards Premier Division safety with
a crucial 1-0 victory over bottom side Dulwich Hamlet at York
Road on Tuesday evening. It was the Magpies’ second successive victory, following their impressive three-point haul at Gravesend on Sunday, and means one more victory should leave United safe from the drop. United were without skipper Tim Cook for only the second time this season, and the influential centre-back, suffering from a pulled hamstring, might not feature again this season. However, cometh the hour, cometh the man. Cook’s replacement Lewis Craker, who has only just recovered from injury himself, produced a masterful defensive performance. Alongside the ever impressive Adam Durrant and the reliable Steve Croxford, United made light of Cook’s absence - not an easy task. They completely snuffed out the threat of dangerous Dulwich striker Joe Nartey, who was making his return to York Road. The Ghanaian left United in February for greater financial rewards at Dulwich. There is only so much that money can buy however, and with this defeat, Dulwich were finally relegated and condemned to Division 1 football next season. Despite the fact United keeper Richie Barnard was left a virtual spectator throughout the game, the hosts had to rely on an own goal to ensure the victory. It is the Magpies’ injury problems which will most concern boss Alan Devonshire. Cook and midfielder Matt Glynn (foot injury) were missing, while top scorer Lee Channell and Barry Rake both limped off. Strikers Channell and on-loan Nathan Tyson started brightly up front for United, and created early problems for the Dulwich back three. An cross from the right by Channell found Tyson, but the 18-year-old could not control the ball, while minutes laterChannell saw a deflected shot go just wide. United were the better side in the first half but, with the creative Glynn watching from the sidelines, struggled to create clear-cut chances. Channell tried his upmost to break the deadlock, cutting in well from the left but seeing his shot go straight at Dulwich keeper Craig Tucker, while Tyson hooked the ball over the bar from a Chris Ferdinand corner shortly after. The hosts’ pressure finally told however when they took the lead in the 41st minute. Tyson played the ball to Obinna Ulasi on the left, he delivered a deep cross to Channell at the back post, and as the striker tried to unselfishly nod the ball back across goal it struck the knee of Dulwich defender John Dixon and went into the back of the net. It was just the break United needed and deserved, and one that was espeically welcome at this tense stage of the campaign. The visitors started the second half in more determined mood but their best and only effort of the half saw Alex Dyer spoon the ball out of the ground. It just about summed up Dulwich’s season. United continued to create the better openings, Chris Ferdinand striking the post direct from a corner, and then Tyson being denied by an excellent stop from Tucker. The Magpies had their best chance to seal the game in injury-time when Tyson was cynically brought down in the area by Dave Richards, who was duly sent off. Tyson, yearning for a goal his superb workrate deserved, confidently took the penalty himself but saw Tucker produce a brilliant save to his right. It did not matter though as United held on comfortably for three vital points in their quest for Premier Division survival. |
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| Maidenhead
United: Barnard, Morley, Durrant, Rake, Croxford, Hickey,
Craker, Tyson, Channell, Ferdinand, Ulasi. Subs: Beaton (not
used), Woodhouse (for Rake, 90), Grieves (for Channell, 56). Dulwich Hamlet: Tucker, Dixon, Hannigan, Richards, Berry, O’Brien, Gray, Savage, Dyer, Nartey, Sears. Subs: Hakki (for Berry, 45), Perkins (for Dixon, 72), Minors (for Nartey, 63). |
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