Hampton
- 4.11.00|
Hampton
& Richmond (0) 1
Holloway 78 |
Maidenhead
Utd (0) 4
Channell 57, 90, Croxford 74, Domingos 90 |
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Now the wait could be over, with the answer to Dev's prayers sitting right on his doorstep. Lee Channell, often criticised, often out of the side, and often enigmatic, produced a sensational display during Maidenhead's magnificent 4-1 FA Trophy victory at Hampton and Richmond on Saturday. It was undoubtedly the striker's best ever game for the York Road side. He scored two goals, set up the other two, and even had time during his busy afternoon to miss a penalty. Channell has now hit five goals in his last seven games, five matches of which have been as substitute, and he will surely have the confidence to score a lot more this season. On Saturday he destroyed a full-strength Hampton side with his pace, persistence and hard work, and was deservedly given a standing ovation by the Maidenhead bench when he was substituted in injury time. There were also other outstanding performances during a superb afternoon for United. The ever-improving Matt Glynn was at the heart of all things good for the Magpies, while Barry Rake showed he was back to his best. Rake, just returning from injury, was pushed into a forward role by Devonshire from his usual midfield berth, but it was a gamble which paid off as Rake showed all of his qualities to lead the line excellently with Channell. In-form Hampton had thrashed Worcester City 5-0 in their previous game to reach the first round of the FA Cup, and also included hitman Craig Maskell in their team, the former Southampton striker having scored 12 goals in 17 games this season. And the home side show their neat passing game to great effect early on, Magpies keeper Richie Barnard making an agile one-handed save to turn Dean Green's low drive past the post. However after a slightly nervous start, Maidenhead began to settle in to the match, and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Jason Shaw appeared to handle the ball in the box after a trademark Obinna Ulasi weaving run. The visitors began to grow in confidence, and after Rake fired a left-foot shot from 20 yards just wide, they were finally awarded a penalty on 28 minutes. Glynn picked up the ball on the edge of the box, produced a sublime piece of skill to beat two men, and as he charged into the box, the young midfielder was hacked down by Nick Burton as he was about to shoot. However Channell wasted the chance to open the scoring by side-footing the spot kick against the upright, and the teams went in at the break goalless as United continued to dominate. They had been the better team, but would they rue the penalty miss? The answer was a firm no, and it was down to a fantastic second half team effort. The Magpies started brightly again after the restart and they finally opened the scoring in the 57th minute. A superb quick throw from Barnard found Glynn in space, he played a through ball to Channell, who used his pace to beat the offside trap, and then made up for his earlier penalty miss by calmly slotting the ball past Hampton keeper Eric Talbot. With Rake now thoroughly enjoying his new role, United continued to push forward and grabbed their second in the 74th minute when former Hampton player Steve Croxford stabbed home a Channell cross. The home side did briefly threaten a comeback when Gary Holloway scored with a header four minutes later to make it 2-1, but United were never really troubled again, and scored two more goals in injury-time to seal the win. First Ulasi produced a scintillating run on the left to set up Channell with a simple tap in, and then after more outstanding work from Channell, substitute Freddy Domingos made it 4-1 and celebrated his strike with a trademark somersault. Last week Devonshire called on his players to not concede sloppy goals, and they responded in style, showing their cup pedigree by thrashing a useful Hampton side. If they can transfer this form into the league, it should be a warm winter for United. |
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Hampton and Richmond Borough: Talbot, Simpson, Wood, Burton, Barnsby, Shaw, Holloway, Green, Williams, Maskell, Carter. Subs: Lavender (for Holloway, 83), Girvan, Leenders (for Williams, 75), Robinson. Maidenhead United: Barnard, Morley, Connor, Rake, Croxford, Brown, Cook, Ferdinand, Channell, Glynn, Ulasi. Subs: Goodrham (for Glynn, 90), Durrant, Woodhouse (for Channell, 90), Domingos (for Rake, 90), Hart. |
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