Two-goal lead let slip through fingers (21.04.03)

BASINGSTOKE fought back from going two goals down on Easter Monday to secure all three points in a rather scrappy match which failed to provide any real football skill. 
There were a number of factors against this being a good match, one being that the pitch had been heavily watered in parts, meaning that there was standing water in places, while other areas of the pitch were bone hard and dry. 
A strong wind blowing straight down the pitch was another contributing factor, as was the referee who over used his whistle.
He managed to wave a yellow card at no fewer than seven players, in a game which was often competitive but never dirty. One booking was clearly a case of mistaken identity when Obinna Ulasi was booked for dissent, following a minor outburst by Orlando Jeffrey.
The first real goalmouth action provided the first goal after 14 minutes, when Adrian Allen and Lawrence Yaku combined well on the right, with Allen beating two defenders to make room for a strike which flew neatly inside the near post.
The Magpies went further in the lead just three minutes later, following the best move of the game. Andy Cook played the ball to Richard O’Connor, who played a neat one-two with Matt Glynn to break into the area, where his run was crudely ended by a challenge from Neville Stamp.
There was no doubt about the penalty decision, and Glynn made the task look easy by sending keeper Tarr completely the wrong way.
However the home side fought back well, using the strong wind to their advantage, and Nathan Stamp forced a good save from Barnard. But the Magpies keeper was helpless on 27 minutes when Basingstoke were awarded a free-kick wide on the left. Ewin’s cross was neatly met by McAllister, and his well-placed header hit the back of the net.
Less than a minute later, the scores were level, when Roach latched on to a long clearance from Allaway, and found himself clear of the Magpies defence. He controlled the ball well, ran on and placed his shot wide of Barnard’s desperate dive.
Just before the break, Barnard had to react well when Stamp hit a fierce wind-assisted shot from 35 yards.
Basingstoke took the lead just five minutes into the second period, with another of those goals which seems to have blighted the season of Magpies keeper Barnard.
There seemed to be little danger as Roach chased yet another long ball from Allaway, as Barnard came out of his area to clear. His clearance hit Roach and bounced into the middle of the park, right into the path of Gibbens who tucked it away.
Barnard then showed the better side of his ability, by denying Basingstoke with two high quality saves, one from a great shot on the turn by Roach, and a second when a shot from Howes took a wicked deflection of Durrant. 
The rest of the half became a rather dull affair, with neither side able to get the ball under control. 
However the Magpies had one real chance to grab a late equaliser, when substitute Mark Boyce got clear in added time, but his shot went inches over the bar. 

Maidenhead United: Barnard, Morley, Jennings, Cook, Durrant, Jeffrey, O’Connor, Yaku, Allen, Glynn, Ulasi. Subs: Boyce (for Jeffrey, 63), Kelly (for Glynn, 74), Nartey (for Allen 76), Coppard and Harrison (not used).
Basingstoke Town: Tarr, Nathan Stamp, Neville Stamp, Gibbens, Hemmings, Allaway, Elad, Howes, McCallister, Roach, Ewin. Subs: Ray (for Elad, 60), Dickens, Wallace and Bristow (not used).