MAIDENHEAD UNITED 2 (1)

A goal in either half saw Maidenhead through to another 2-0 win over Banbury, a final league position of fourth, and a play off semi final at Kings Lynn on Tuesday night.

With Maidenhead needing a win to be certain of extending their season, an early goal was required to settle the nerves.  This nearly came within seconds of the kick off when Lee Newman hit the left hand post from close range.  Banbury though had beefed up their attack since Thursday's match with first choice strike pair Howard Forinton and Andy Baird starting the game, and Chico Ramos had to be at his best to tip a Puritan shot over the bar in the 11th minute.  Once again it was the combination of Ashley Smith and Dwane Lee that led to a Maidenhead goal, Smith having the foresight from midfield to pick out Lee with a pass to the right wing.  Lee took the ball to the byline and swung in a cross which fooled everybody and flew into the far corner of the net.  Stung at falling behind yet again Banbury made a concerted effort to equalise, Ramos saving well with his feet from Jon Gardner at close range, and then on the stroke of half time from Ollie Stanbridge.  Maidenhead too continued to threaten Dean Fenton sending in a cross from the right wing which was knocked back by Lee at the far post to Neville Roach whose shot was blocked on the line by a Banbury defender.

The second half saw Maidenhead stamp down their authority on the game effectively spoiling Banbury's attacks, and eventually the second crucial goal arrived to seal victory.  This time Lee was the provider with a throw in from the right hand touchline which found its way to the far post where Newman had the time and space to bring the ball under control and score from close range.  To their credit Banbury continued to get back into the game but barring a late alarm when a Baird shot rattled the cross bar with five minutes remaining, the score remained the same. 

Magpies: Ramos, Nisbet, Bezhadi, Lee, Sterling, Cooper, Fenton (61 Osman), Brown Da, Newman (71 Hughes), Roach (68 Romeo), Smith.  Unused subs: Parsons, Carpenter. 

Goals: Lee 22, Newman 63.  Caution: Cooper 29.  Gate: 455.

Puritans: Murrell, Bridges, Kinch, Sullivan, Blossom, Pond, Stanbridge (71 Gooderick), Redknapp, Forinton, Baird, Gardner.  Unused subs: McKay, Jackson, Nicholls, Bryan.

Caution: Kinch 76.