Allen strike earns Trophy replay (26.11.06)

A superlative strike from Adie Allen earned Maidenhead another home replay against superior opposition, this time in the FA Trophy at Farnborough on Saturday.  The Magpies dominated most of the game despite manager Johnson Hippolyte being forced to make seven changes to the team that played Stafford on the previous Tuesday due to a mixture of illness, injuries and suspensions. 

The heavy rains had made for a heavy pitch but with both teams set on playing football an entertaining contest ensued.  United were quickest out of the blocks and took the lead following a good move down the left flank.  Captain for the day Ryan Parsons found Allen who moved the ball quickly onto debutant Sam Hatton.  The on loan Stevenage defender had a dip from 20 yards which was cleared only for the ball to return to Allen who cut in from the left and shot across the goalkeeper from a tight angle to score.  Spotting the advantage in shooting from distance on a sticky surface Farnborough equalised after 20 minutes when a long shot from Steve Laidler was spilled by United keeper Delroy Preddie, Matt Pattison reacting quickest to fire the loose ball into the back of the net.  The game continued to ebb and flow between the two sides before on the stroke of half time Maidenhead spurned a great chance to take the lead.  Ashley Smith delivered a clinical cross from the right wing which was lashed against the crossbar by Allen.  The ball fell to Stephen Hughes but in giving himself time trying to make sure of hitting the target with the goalkeeper beaten, the big striker hesistated long enough for a Farnborough defence to get back and scramble away his shot.

The second half saw a rampant Maidenhead take the game to their hosts, with driving rain and wind on their backs.  Man of the match Allen was at the centre of United’s attacking push, setting up Smith just after half time for a left foot shot which was palmed away by the keeper.  In the 57^th minute Allen himself ran clear of the defence, but Town keeper Kevin Scriven was equal to his host and kicked the ball away with his feet.  This proved to be the best chance to break the deadlock, Farnborough closing out the draw in the final minutes by successfully defending 4 consecutive Maidenhead corners, forced by good shots from the likes of Smith and Sam Collins.

Boro: Scriven, Pestle, Townsend, Hankin (65 Gasson), Whisken, Laidler, Pattison, Pym, Hodgson, Charles, Harkness (75 Smith).  Unused subs: Graham, Osei, Venter. 

Goal: Pattison 20.  Gate: 344.

Magpies: Preddie, Nisbet, Parsons, Lee, Murphy, Hatton, Smith, Fotheringham, Hughes (76 Newman L), Allen (90 Johnson), Collins.  Unused subs: Driver, Brown, Howard.

Goal: Allen 8.  Magpie of the Match: Adie Allen.