Weston-night-Mare for United (11.09.04)

PENALTY appeals at the end of either half, both controversially turned down by the referee, ultimately saw United lose out by the odd goal in three at Weston’s new, all metallic, Woodspring stadium on Saturday.
Once again the Magpies played the better football and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, but it was the Seagulls’ more direct approach which produced the majority of the goal-scoring opportunities.
Maidenhead went close early on when good work by Jamie Cook led to a chance for Barrie Matthews, who shot just wide.
Having been on the back foot for the first quarter of the match, Weston began to strike back, Michael Watkins saving a point-blank header from the former Sheffield Wednesday player Mark McKeever, following a cross by ex-West Ham midfielder Stuart Slater on 26 minutes.
The home team then took the lead on 32 minutes, when David Gilroy picked up a loose ball just inside the Maidenhead half and broke clear of the back line before coolly beating the helpless Watkins low to his right.
Eight minutes later Gilroy nearly doubled the Seagulls’ lead but this time his shot was well saved by the feet of Watkins.
With half-time looming United hit back, and this time it was Weston keeper Ryan Northmore’s turn to save with his feet from a volley by Lawrence Yaku.
From the resulting corner Craig O’Connor was poised to fire the ball home from close range but was sent sprawling by a challenge from Northmore.
The keeper intimated that O’Connor had dived and the referee Richard Greenwood controversially waved play on, sparking angry protests from the United players and supporters alike.
Even Weston’s own website admitted that United had ‘strong claims’ for a penalty.
Magpies manager John Dreyer concurred and spoke to the referee during the interval. Unfortunately, his refusal to leave the referee’s dressing room without an explanation for the decision earned him a red card.
After the break Maidenhead deservedly equalised - when Yaku finished well - and then pushed for the winner.
However, they could find no way through the Weston backline, which was expertly led by former Cardiff centre-back Lee Jarman.
The winner came with 18 minutes of normal time remaining, when United were unable to clear a free-kick. Marc McGregor picked up the loose ball and fired home from close range.
In the dying minutes McKeever hit a shot against the crossbar, while at the other end the Magpies had another good penalty shout turned down when a cross struck the hand of a defender, bringing a contentious conclusion to a highly controversial encounter.