Carterton 1 (0)

IT WAS mission accomplished for plucky Hellenic League minnows Carterton on Saturday as they succeeded in frustrating their Southern League superiors in their own backyard and force Maidenhead to travel to deepest Oxfordshire for a humbling replay.

It was a game which United dominated but as they only conjured up just the one goal, Carterton were able to force a draw by taking advantage of a momentary lapse to equalize.

The pattern of play was set from the kick off with Carterton defending deep, getting men behind the ball in a bid to frustrate United with an eye on a quick counter attack.  This approach largely paid dividends and was helped by a lack of accuracy from United’s front men.  Dominic Sterling almost opened the scoring in the eleventh minute when his header from a corner was cleared off the line, but this was to be a rare example of goalmouth action in a dour first half.  Maidenhead took the lead in the 38^th minute.  A tricky run from Rob Hughes down the left saw him reach the byline before cutting a pass back to Craig O’Connor whose shot was scrambled behind by Steve Benbow in the Carterton goal.  From the resulting corner it was O’Connor who rose highest to power a header home from close range and give his team the lead at the interval.

After the interval Maidenhead set up camp in their opponents half but failed to trouble Benbow again, Richard Witt going closest after dribbling through the defence only for his shot to go over the bar.

Carterton equalized in the 68^th minute.  A free kick from distance by Jerry Packham was too hot for goalkeeper Chico Ramos to handle and Steve Avenall was quickest to react pouncing on the loose ball to score.  United continued to push forward for victory and with referee Atkin not standing for Carterton’s time wasting tactics, an extra seven minutes were offered in which to find a goal.  The closest attempt fell to substitute Brian Haule who with virtually his first touch found himself in the clear in the 86^th minute but despite beating the keeper with his lob, the ball sailed over the bar to keep the tie level and force the teams to reconvene in Carterton on Tuesday night.

Magpies: Ramos, Smith, Parsons, Witt, Sterling, Osman, Hughes (81 Kwakye (84 Haule)), Nisbet, O’Connor, Jackson (51 Burnell), Clarke.  Unused subs: Driver, Gorman.

Goal: O’Connor 38. Gate:  

Carters: Benbow, Smales, Steedman (90 King), Butt, Packham, Wood, Joyce, Threlfall, Avenall, Green, Lewis.  Unused subs: Bryant, Gilkes, North, Hales

Goal: Avenall 68.  Bookings: Avenall 36, Wood 90.