Sutton caught in United backlash (02.03.04)

THE Magpies bounced back from two defeats on the trot, as a new-look team secured a fully deserved victory over Sutton United on Saturday.
John Dreyer had promised new players as Maidenhead push for that all important top-13 finish in the league, and he was true to his word, as no fewer than three new faces appeared in the starting line up – Rob Haworth from Gravesend, Ben Hammond from Hemel Hempstead and the experienced Danny Bolt from Carshalton.
All three played their part, as Maidenhead weathered the Sutton attack and hit back in devastating fashion to secure a much needed three points.
The first half hour of the match was thoroughly forgettable, as neither side managed to control the ball or create any serious attacking threat.
Phil Wislon had to make a couple of decent saves from Matt Gray efforts, while Haworth managed a headed chance from a Craig Farley corner, but sent it wide of the post.
After Sutton had made most of the running, the Magpies started getting forward more but ended up paying the price, when Andy Jennings suffered a head injury while trying to connect with a Danny Bolt corner and was led off to the dressing room.
Just before the break, Haworth’s deep cross was headed out to Farley and his shot brought an acrobatic save from Andy Iga.
Then, a good run and shot by Bolt was blocked, but the rebound fell to substitute Ryan Ashe who crashed a shot against the bar.
The second half started with Sutton enjoying all the play and putting the hard-pressed Magpies defence to the test.
But up stepped man of the match Wilson with a top class display of quality goalkeeping to keep the Magpies in the game.
A top drawer save from Quinton saw the ball break to Gray, but Wilson recovered quickly to pull off a fine double save. Jon Nurse was creating all sorts of problems but two good shots produced nothing more than further good saves from Wilson.
When Nurse got closer in on goal, Wilson again denied the striker with a brave block at his feet.
Having weathered the storm, Maidenhead then turned defence into attack when, on 69 minutes, a long ball from Ben Hammond was chased by Haworth.
As Iga came off his line to challenge, the tall striker got his head to the ball first and watched in delight as the ball found the net.
There was more trouble for Maidenhead as an injured Adam Durrant was forced to retire, leaving just two recognised defenders. But just as the supporters sensed that Sutton could capitalise on a seriously weakened back line, it was Maidenhead who pressed forward.
A Haworth cross was headed on by Joe Flack, which saw keeper Iga make a finger-tip save round the post.
But the keeper was helpless on 81 minutes, when a superb long diagonal ball from Ashe found Hammond in space and he coolly and calmly chipped the advancing keeper for his maiden goal.
Less than 60 seconds later Hammond turned provider, when a good run forward and cross found Flack in the six yard box, who had an easy header to score the third and decisive goal. Sutton certainly looked like a beaten side as Maidenhead ran the game for the final 10 minutes, with Rob Martin in particular running rings round the Sutton defence.
There was almost further celebration in added time when yet another good cross from Hammond found Haworth with back to goal, but a clever bicycle kick was denied a deserved goal, as Iga pulled of another brilliant save.