Magpies rattle Rooks’ cage (16.04.05)

A NERVY, scrappy and sometimes buttock-clenchingly frustrating encounter with high-flying Lewes eventually produced the perfect result for the battling Magpies at York Road on Saturday, as super Craig O’Connor pounced late in the game to snatch a vital victory and move United away from the drop zone.
It was a result to warm the cockles of every Maidenhead supporter’s heart, while the record crowd of 600 made it a day to remember for elated club officials and players alike.
But most importantly United’s fate is now back in their own hands, as victory in their two remaining fixtures would guarantee their survival in the Conference South.
In fairness to the rather lacklustre Rooks, the Sussex side had nothing to play for but pride, as their promotion hopes have been dashed by the Conference League’s stringent ground requirements.
However, they still possess quality in depth, while their goals-per-game record is only bettered by free-scoring Grays Athletic and play-off hopefuls Dorchester Town.
Unfortunately, none of that quality was evident in a dire first half, which was characterised by mishit passes, wayward shots and bobbles galore on a pitch which now resembles denuded scrubland.
Silky midfielder Jamie Cook was the main victim of the rotten surface as, every time he attempted to inject some quality into proceedings, the ball would bounce up onto his shins before skidding away.
Consequently, conditions dictated a more direct approach, which made for a rather monotonous route-one game.
This did produce the odd moment of excitement, however, as O’Connor and Lawrence Yaku attempted to combat Lewes’ massive aerial superiority with pure pace.
O’Connor did manage to find the back of the net on 32 minutes, but well after the referee’s whistle had sounded for offside, meaning neither keeper was called upon to make anything resembling a decent save before the break.
The second half began with a bang, as Paul Kennett caught United’s defence napping only to lift his shot over the bar from a promising position in front of goal.
Home keeper Adam Federici then made a terrific save to deny Lee Newman from very close range, as the Maidenhead defence continued to slumber.
The whole game then drifted off to sleep, before being jerked awake by Yaku midway through the half, when a good move down the right ended with the speedy striker volleying over from the edge of the six yard box.
The incident seemed to be the catalyst United had been waiting for, as Barrie Matthews, Cook and O’Connor finally began to display some natural playing chemistry.
Yaku joined the party on 75 minutes, but once again blazed high over the bar.
However, O’Connor had now found his range and when man-of-the-match Lee Kersey got forward for a throw in and swept the ball to the far post the stocky striker rose high above the defence to arrow a header past the sprawling Scott Ward.
The stand behind the goal erupted, while the visitors’ heads visibly dropped.
On 81 minutes it could have been 2-0 when O’Connor chased Joseph Vine’s underhit backpass and pressured Ward into a real howler, as the keeper completely missed the bobbling ball.
As the defence stood watching, the ball skimmed inches wide of the upright with O’Connor just a foot behind in hot pursuit.
With three points just five minutes away, manager Dennis Greene gave up any idea of increasing the lead and instead swapped out Yaku for defender Brian O’Connor.
This appeared to have killed the game off, until some poor decision-making led to a Lewes corner deep into added time.
Junior Kadi lifted a good cross to the edge of the box, where Barrington Belgrave unleashed a goalbound shot.
The crowd held their collective breath and then issued a huge sigh of relief, as the hard-working Guy Ekwalla stuck out a foot and blocked the shot, allowing United to clear their lines and run down the clock to secure a famous league double over the mighty Rooks.

WINNER: United striker Craig O’Connor shares his joy with the crowd at York Road on Saturday after netting the winner.