Deja U

A disappointing follow up to Saturday's win over Havant as in a similar match to December's FA Trophy tie, Sutton comprehensively beat the Magpies 1-0.

Maidenhead continued with their five at the back formation which was so successful on Saturday but in contrast played into Sutton's hands last night as by conceding all but the penalty area, Maidenhead allowed Sutton to demonstrate the benefit of their extra morning training with the Us higher tempo meaning they dominated the first half.

With the central midfield duo of Daniel Brown and Michael Pook in danger of treading on the centre backs toes in what often appeared to be a 5-2-2-1 formation, Sutton struggled to find a way through the black and white defensive wall. Still they got closer as the half drew on, Sam Rents forcing Billy Lumley to tip his long shot over the bar after twenty three minutes, whilst the Us got the ball in the net four minutes ahead of the break only for the referee to chalk it off.

Just when thoughts started to drift into the realms of job done for the first half though Sutton were gifted the lead with a soft penalty when Craig Dundas was bundled over by Rhys Paul whilst shepherding the ball out for a goal kick. In stoppage time Dundas stepped up to take the kick himself to give Sutton a lead which reflected their domination of the game but was one to be rued by the Magpies having kept a clean sheet for forty five minutes.

After the break Maidenhead showed more attacking purpose which continued when substitutes Harry Pritchard and Reece Tison-Lascaris joined the fray. The Magpies had little to show for it, coming closest to an equaliser when a corner was pushed off the line by Sutton goalkeeper Tom Lovelock.

A Maidenhead corner heads goalward

Maidenhead's hopes of a point continued to diminished when Tison-Lascaris was carried off on a stretcher and despite some frenetic activity in the penalty area at the beginning of the long stoppage time created by the injury, it was clear that the game was up for the Magpies. Indeed it was Sutton who should have increased their lead, missing a sitter and being denied by Lumley before the referee blew the final whistle.

The result leaves Maidenhead deep in relegation trouble needing four points from the next two games to relieve the pressure on what looks likely to be a desperate final week of the season with two visits to Essex.