Magpies let slip first home win (02.01.06)

THE Magpies were sensationally deprived of all three points on Saturday after a contest which had increasingly looked likely to provide their first home win of the season.
Having created several scoreable chances while defending as a unit which had ensured keeper Scott Tarr did not have a save to make, the match was turned on its head in three frantic minutes.
On 75 minutes, with the Magpies a goal to the good, the impressive Dean Bradshaw was gifted the ball to create a two-on-one situation while striker Lee Newman was unmarked in the area. But his poor pass to the Magpies No.9 allowed the Boro defence to recover and clear.
The visitors made the most of the let-off just a minute later when they broke down the left through Carl Gibbs, who got behind the defence and from the dead-ball line set up Ashley Sestanovich who capped an authoritative performance by side-footing home from 12 yards.
The hosts did not have time to lick their wounds as on 77 minutes keeper Kevin Scriven caught the Magpies’ back four flat-footed with a deep kick which flukily rebounded off Gibbs – leaving keeper Scott Tarr stranded – into the path of substitute Michael Charles who gratefully tapped into an empty net.
It was an extraordinary passage of play, as previous to this Boro had spurned numerous half-chances, often blasting the ball out of the ground as their finishing skills failed to match their approach play.
The Magpies, in contrast, while not enjoying as much possession, created the most clear cut opportunities.
Indeed, their first effort ended in the back of the net on 11 minutes when a route one clearance from Tarr was flicked on by frontman Stephen Hughes into the path of Newman whose shot hit the cross bar. However, the rebound fell to Bradshaw whose strike was deflected to Newman who scored from close range.
The fact the lead lasted for 65 minutes was largely down to an improved and committed effort from the Magpies. The league strugglers certainly put in their tackles in midfield, especially Craig Lewington, and were more organised than during their 3-1 setback at Cherrywood Road on Boxing Day.
Hughes worked hard against his old team and new-boy Bradshaw showed genuine pace and creativity down the left flank.
And there could have been a twist in the tail which would have earned the Magpies a deserved share of the points.
On 90 minutes, following a corner, Magpies’ Ryan Parsons lofted the ball back into the box where skipper Brendan Gallen had found space at the back post. His control was good, but with just the keeper to beat, he sliced his effort high, wide and into the stand.
It underlined a spirited, full-bloodied contest which will leave Boro more than content with their festive haul, while the Magpies will be left ruing what might have been.

SAFE: Farnborough keeper Kevin Scriven beats striker Stephen Hughes to the ball. Ref:91314/8

Maidenhead United: Tarr, Elsegood, Parsons, Lewington, Smith, Gallen, Bradshaw, Ashe, Newman, Whiteman, Hughes. Subs: Boyce (for Whiteman, 69), Saeed-Osman, White, Kwakye and Lunn (not used).
Farnborough Town: Scriven, Rodney, Hankin, Pattison, Gasson, Smith, Sestanovich, McBean, Gibbs, Laidler, Smith. Subs: Warner (for Pattison, 52), Charles (for Smith, 74), Rumbold, Theo and Green (not used).