Back to Clarence Park on a glorious Bank Holiday Monday for the visit of Maidenhead United, managed by former England and West Ham star, Alan Devonshire. Maidenhead, nicknamed The Magpies, presumably because they play in the same strip as Newcastle, won their opening game of the season aqgainst Harrow but have since lost to Purfleet and Kingstonian. They won their last game of last season, defeating John Kendall's Saints 1-0.
For City it needs to be much better than Saturday and today The Dynamic Duo selected Wilmot in goal, 3 at the back: Goddard, Brown (C), and Campbell; 5 in the midfield: Nabil, Wraight, Evans, Rattle and Smith; and up front Ansell and Martin. On the bench were Fenton, Moran and Honeyball. In the stand were Bignall and Metcalf (both injured), Ferguson, Lineghan and a new guy that I didn't recognise.
A scrappy first half regularly interrupted by the referee's whistle with neither side testing the opponents defence to any degree.. There seemed to be little space on the park generally or in the midfield in particular. On 20 minutes or so, The Saints won a free-kick 20 yards out and Smith hit a shot low through the wall which gave the keeper no chance. 1-0. Just before half-time, Ansell injured his shoulder and was replaced by Fenton who played in midfield and Nabil joined Martin up front. H.T. 1-0..
City were comfortably on top through the second half but struggled to find their final touch in the last third of the pitch. 10 minutes into the half and Fenton took a freekick which was well struck around the wall to hit the post. 10 minutes later Wraight was fouled in the box and Smith stepped up confidently but struck the penalty just over the bar. On the rare occasions that Maidenhead broke from their own half the City back line was comfortable.
F.T. 1-0. 3 points. The Safeway MotM was Brown. The attendance was 282.
Maidenhead looked a very poor side with limited ability or ideas to threaten the home defence. Against the visitors stikers, Goddard, Brown and Campbell dealt with every high ball all afternoon with comfort. They will struggle. I predict bottom 6. For Saints it was essential to win today after Saturday's performance and they will be delighted with 3 points. Winning was the only thing. 5 in midfield is not going to work all season. It didn't today.
Entertainment 6/10. Atmosphere 4/10. Technical Merit 5/10. Referee 6/10.
Report by Homer |
