Rocks break Magpies’ hearts (25.03.06)

A TORRID 20-minute spell at the start of the second-half broke Maidenhead hearts at York Road on Tuesday night, as Bognor Regis notched a quickfire brace to condemn the Magpies to a fourth straight defeat.
In a frenetic yet largely chanceless first half, nearly all the action took place in midfield, with both sides chasing each other down in packs.
The only events of note were when United keeper Francisco Ramos went on walkabout, allowing Luke Nightingale a free shot on goal – which he steered into the side netting – and when Neville Roach pounced on a poor clearance by Bognor keeper Craig Stoner, only for Stoner to recover in time to save with his legs.
The Rocks burst into life after the break and broke the deadlock within four minutes of the restart, when Dan Beck smashed home a loose ball from a corner.
Bognor then had a very good shout for a penalty, when United skipper Nathan Bunce up-ended Richard Hudson in the box.
The referee awarded a corner, which was easily cleared.
But the reprieve was shortlived, as Luke Nightingale made it 2-0 on 57 minutes, when he skipped through a leaden-footed defence and into the box.
Ramos sprinted off his line to make a good block, but before the defenders could get back Nightingale swung his foot at the ball and swept it into an empty net.
The game seemed to be over, but United were thrown a lifeline three minutes later, when Beck was red-carded for a second bookable offence.
Down to 10 men, Bognor were then rocked by a goal-of-the-season contender from Ryan Johnson.
Clearing the ball from his own box, Johnson charged the length of the field before sweeping a dipping drive over the keeper into the top right-hand corner.
With the bit between their teeth, United battled hard for an equaliser. However, they failed to pose any significant threat on goal, as Bognor rode out the storm to claim a worthy win and all three points.


STUNNER: Ryan Johnson scored a sublime goal at York Road on Tuesday night, but it proved to be mere consolation.
Picture by Nigel Keene.

Maidenhead United: Ramos, Dell, Parsons, Bunce, Wild, Johnson, Graham, Ashe, Roach, Whiteman, Lewington. Subs: Kwakye (for Dell, 67), White (for Whiteman, 81), Romeo, Saeed-Osman, Tarr.
Bognor Regis Town: Stoner, Piper, Brimingham, Budd, Breach, Murphy, Watson, Howell, Hudson, Nightingale, Beck. Subs: Balfe (for Hudson, 67), Rowland (for Birmingham, 81), Johnson, Kirkwood, Swayne.