MAIDENHEAD UNITED 3 (1)

Maidenhead bagged their first points of 2007 with a comfortable win over Wealdstone.  Following the trials and tribulations of the previous week United at last found the form to enable them to win at a canter with a performance that clearly demonstrated that it was their opponents who were deep in relegation trouble.
Whilst injuries to Ryan Johnson and Dwane Lee forced Johnson Hippolyte into changes at the back and in midfield, he also chose to go with a new strike force in the shape of Yashwa Romeo and Neville Roach, and it was this decision that paid dividends, the pair both creating and taking goalscoring chances during the course of the afternoon.  The other profitable line of attack for the Magpies was the right wing with a Mark Nisbet and Dean Fenton linking up well on the flank.  It was from this area that the first goal emanated.  A throw in on the right wing near the corner looped into the penalty area.  Romeo and Stones defender Ben Martin rose to meet the ball which then flew into the far corner with goal keeper Lee Carroll helpless at the near post.  The half saw Maidenhead continue to make in the winter sunshine, always looking dangerous when going forward.  Wealdstone came back into the game towards the break but did not trouble United keeper Delroy Preddie, unfortunately Preddie’s day was over when he was carried off at half time having pulled up following a clearance.
Maidenhead came out fighting after the interval eager to secure the result, and were unlucky not to score in the 50th minute when an Ashley Smith free kick from the left was met by a fierce shot by Roach only for the ball to fly wide off the back of retreating defender.  The second goal came four minutes later when Romeo broke through down the left wing and fired in a cross which found its way to the far post where Dean Fenton was on hand to drill the ball home.  The three points were firmly in the bag by the 63rd minute when Roach ran clear of the defence and coolly finished to make it 3-0.  The match then looked like turning into a rout, Fenton hitting the foot of the post with a shot from 20 yards that curved viciously along the ground.  An Abdul Osman through ball then put Roach in again only to be brought down by Carroll.  Roach got up to take the kick (above) but his weak penalty was saved by Carroll diving to his left with 17 minutes remaining.  The final action of the game saw Wealdstone try to salvage some pride but even when Graham Hall beat Chico Ramos, Dominic Sterling was on hand to clear off the line.