Sorry Magpies torn apart by resurgent Hawks (19.02.05)

AN ABYSMAL performance and a disappointing result against a poor Havant side sent Maidenhead slipping back into the relegation mire on Saturday.
The portents were ominous for the Magpies as they prepared for their match against the league’s bottom side when Andy Dugdale and Bryan Smith both failed late fitness tests and dropped out of the team.
The loss of two important men at the back proved crucial as it was undeniably defensive errors that cost the visitors the game against their fellow strugglers.
The back line was hastily rearranged just before kick-off and the Havant Hawks took quick advantage of the upheaval in the third minute when a long ball from Darren Caskey caused panic on the edge of the Maidenhead penalty area, the ball eluding defenders and goalkeeper alike, giving David Town the simple task of putting the ball into an empty net.
Thirteen minutes later, the Hawks doubled their lead when Peter Fear picked up a loose ball on the right side of the penalty area and squared the ball to Brett Poate, who fired the ball home from close range.
Havant naturally drew confidence from their early goals and were unfortunate not to wrap up the game before half time.
On 32 minutes, a corner fell to Tom Jordan only for his close-range effort to be cleared off the line and just seven minutes later Town went even closer when his shot hit the inside of the post.
Maidenhead’s best effort came just before the break when a Ben Townsend throw was met by a Peter Adeniyi header which went narrowly wide.
The second half saw Havant remain in control and only a last-ditch tackle from Jamie Cook prevented Caskey from shooting at close range while Magpies keeper Adam Federici had to make a flying save to divert a Dean Holdsworth shot to safety, making sure the score stayed at 2-0.
With 25 minutes left, the Magpies at last began to exert some serious pressure on their hosts, with the tireless running of Craig O’Connor in particular starting to sow the seeds of doubt in the Hawks defence.
With two minutes left on the clock, a Lewis Cook free kick from the left touchline led to a scramble in the box, Lawrence Yaku and Guy Ekwalla helping the ball onto O’Connor who was on hand to help the ball over the line. However, the goal came too late to change the result and Havant leapfrogged their visitors to climb the table.