Maidenhead United v Halesowen Town

Reasons To Be Cheerful Part 3 (10.03.07)

MAIDENHEAD UNITED 1 (0)

HALESOWEN TOWN 0

A late Lee Newman penalty gave United victory in a tight edgy affair at York Road on Saturday. The win, United’s third consecutive one, all by a single goal, was built on the new found solidity in defence, greatly enhanced by the presence of new signing Grant Cooper. In a first half of little incident, it was Cooper who made the key intervention, a crucial tackle in his own penalty area preventing a Halesowen goal scoring opportunity. With ex Scotland international Paul Devlin and free scoring striker Matt Lewis up front, it was the Yeltz who dominated most of the opening period although as the game went on, strong running in the midfield from Darti Brown brought the Magpies into the game. With Ashley Smith working like a trojan on the left side of midfield despite the frequently illegal attentions of right back Jason Powell, United won a series of set pieces but could not capitalise on these advantageous positions.
As the second half continued with the defences remaining top it was clear that a single goal would win the game and in the final stages both teams had their chance. Firstly following a disputed free kick on the left corner of the penalty area, Halesowen went close, the cross narrowly eluding three straining Yeltz heads at the far post. Then the fresh legs of Yashwa Romeo paid dividends when the young forward forced his way into the opposing penalty box and was brought down. Lee Newman who had worked tirelessly up front with little reward all afternoon stepped to take the spot kick, and despite goalkeeper Dormand guessing which way to dive correctly it was far enough to his right to hit the back of the net with six minutes remaining. Desperate to salvage something from the game, Halesowen threw everything forward and deep into injury time finally beat United keeper Chico Ramos with a header from a corner only for Bobby Behzadi to clear the ball off the line. Referee Paul Forrester sounded the whistle soon after to signal another hard earned win for Johnson Hippolyte’s team.

Magpies: Ramos, Johnson (82 Nisbet), Parsons, Cooper, Sterling, Behzadi, Telemaque (65 Clarke Da), Brown Da, Newman L, Roach (70 Romeo), Smith. Unused subs: Hughes S, Preddie.
Goal: Lee Newman 84 pen. Magpie of the Match: Ashley Smith. Gate: 276.
Yeltz: Dormand, Powell, Haywoood, Williams, Knight, Amos, Cowley, Lewis, Devlin, Brown (69 Farrell), Forsdick (79 Hamilton). Unused subs: Hyde, Daniels, Jay.