Purfleet
21.4.01|
Maidenhead
U (1) 2 |
Purfleet
(1) 2
McFarlane 12, Keeling 83 |
| A HUGELY disappointing second half
display from Maidenhead United condemned them to come away from
yet another game with nothing when at least a point seemed on
the cards. The match itself followed a similar pattern from numerous that have gone before already this season. The first half was interesting, without catching fire, but United held their own and went into the break all square. But after a glorious opportunity was wasted immediately after the interval, the home side went back into their shells, created fewer chances than they would have liked, especially being at home, and really could not complain when they again were caught by a late strike. One of the main problems the Magpies faced was that while the back three of Tim Cook, Steve Croxford and Adam Durrant all played solidly, they were under constant pressure in the last half an hour. Whenever the ball was cleared, the United midfield and strikers were unable to hold it up sufficiently to create any pressure of their own at the other end. What made the situation worse was that Purfleet entered the game without a recognised keeper – defender Steve Pashley donning the gloves for the 90 minutes. Yet at half-time this game had a draw written all over it as both teams matched each other punch for punch. It was the visitors who found the back of the net first when Chris Sains delivered a good corner towards the penalty spot which was met by McFarlane. He managed to get enough power in his header, despite being on the move away from goal, to loop the ball past Richard Barnard. Ironically the corner had been given away after the United defence had been unable to deal with a Sains long throw-in; a weapon that is normally United’s preserve. These throw-ins were to be a problem all game, and McFarlane was always a threat on the end of them. Chances continued with Barnard tipping over a McFarlane header, while at the other end Nathan Tyson was just unable to get a touch in front of goal on a Matt Glynn cross. However on 29 minutes, United got their just rewards when a Cook throw-in to the penalty area caused panic, with the ball dropping to Glynn who smashed it home from six yards. With Pashley forced into a double save from Chris Ferdinand and Lee Channell just before the break, the omens were good for the second half. But it was not to be. After Glynn side-footed wide on 46 minutes from inside the area after a flowing United move, the home team never really threatened again. Although there was a late appeal for a penalty, this was never likely to bear fruit. The 83rd minute winner from Jon Keeling, following a free-kick from Sains, was not a surprise when it came as the visitors had enjoyed the vast majority of possession and chances. Once again United did not do themselves justice. While they never failed to fight for the ball, when they earned it they struggled to hang on to it and use it wisely. This has been a problem all season. |
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| Maidenhead United: Barnard, Woodhouse,
Durrant, Ferdinand, Croxford, Hickey, Cook, Tyson, Channell,
Glynn, Ulasi. Subs: Grieves (for Woodhouse, 26), Morley (for
Tyson, 80), Arkins (not used). Purfleet: Pashley, Purdie, Jones, Adams, McFarlane, Keeling, Goodfellow, Sains, Blunden, Martin, Carthy. Subs: Buglione (for Martin, 71), Highway, Edwards (not used). |
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