| Wells 'Stokes Magpies Home Woes (19.01.08) |
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MAIDENHEAD UNITED 1 (1) |
BASINGSTOKE TOWN 2 (2) |
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An early goal from Manny Williams gave rise to
hopes of a long overdue home win on Saturday but two in reply from
visitors Basingstoke meant it was a case of another false dawn. With the sterling work of the ground staff in the face of several days ensuring that not only did the game go ahead but also that the surface was excellent in the circumstances. The Maidenhead team sought to make capital of the opportunity to play and within minutes of the kick off Jefferson Louis whipped in a dangerous cross from the right wing. This came to no end but in the sixth minute goal machine Williams made it two little ducks for the season when he rose with salmon like elegance at the far post to head in a carbon copy cross from Louis. Stunned by the early setback Basingstoke took a while to get into the game but slowly came to dominate proceeding as the half progressed. The equaliser came in unlikely circumstances in the 31st minute when 'Stoke won a free kick a good forty yards out near the left hand touchline. Ben Wells stepped up to take the kick and was as probably as stunned as everyone else in the ground when the balled sailed in with goalkeeper Ramos stranded in no mans land. Five minutes later Town took the lead, again through Wells. This time a pass from former Watford man Scott Fitzgerald's pass put Michael Charles through on the right hand side of the penalty area. His near post cross was met by Wells' looping header which saw the ball gracefully float into the net. Dragons' goalkeeper Chris Tardif then made his contribution count when he parried a Williams shot following the restart. After the break Basingstoke sat back, allowing Maidenhead to set up camp in their opponents half. Despite their dominance though United could not create a worthwhile chance and instead it was Basingstoke who came closest to scoring. A quick breakaway in the 54th minute saw Ben Surey beat Ramos only for Lee Kersey to clear. With twenty two minutes left Ramos was forced into action when his botched clearance led to David Tarpey having a great chance to score, but Ramos made up for his error with an excellent fingertip save. A grim day for Maidenhead United to match the dismal weather was capped in the dying minutes when Williams rounded Tardif only to catch his studs in the turf. |
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Magpies: Ramos, Bradshaw, Fyfield, Daly, Nisbet,
Kersey, Smith (84 James), Brown Da, Williams, Louis, Makofo. Unused
subs: Sterling, Hinds, Wilson-Denis, Wells. Goal: Williams 6. Caution: Williams 39. Dragons: Tardif, Smith, Watkins, Bristow, Dolan, Wells, Fitzgerald, Surey, Charles, Tarpey (82 Taylor), Warner. Unused subs: Hankin, Townsend, Neems, Hamilton. Goals: Wells 31, 36. Crowd: 366 Cautions: Smith 29, Fitzgerald 51. |