Magpies cross the High Tension Line

I can't remember the last time the dying minutes of a match were so tense. This was not a cup tie, a decisive league match or even a thrilling game but the way in which Maidenhead have capitulated in the last five minutes of the their last five home matches meant everyone was fearing the worst with the only a one goal lead to hold on to.

Whether this match is pivotal in the context of Maidenhead's season remains to be seen but it certainly felt good to be pontificating at the final whistle about further wins having at last seen hard evidence of three points won.

As it turned out the game was won in the opening quarter of an hour, when unlike Tuesday night Harry Grant hit the target when put clear to score the only goal of the game. The half time lead reflected United's superiority as Adrian Clifton was the only other player to come close to scoring, his shot being blocked by Chris Winterton in the tenth minute.

This resulted in Whitehawk Steve King giving his team a half time tongue lashing which mostly consisted of one word. It served its purpose though as the Hawks had their best spell after the break and should have scored within four minutes of the restart. Striker Jake Robinson appeared to calmly take his time before shooting from the edge of the penalty area, but although it beat debutant keeper Jonathan Henly it bounced back into play off the crossbar.

As the half drew on it was Maidenhead who looked most dangerous going forward with Clifton again being denied by the keeper. However as the Magpies entered the twilight zone of five minutes to go the tension was tangible, the three points in sight but the evidence of five previous games at York Road in March suggesting an opposition goal was inevitable. A lack of inspiration meant Whitehawk were unable to trouble Henly and instead it was Winterton who was called into action in the last minute to push a Harry Pritchard shot round the post.

The final whistle was greeted by sighs of relief on and off the pitch. Personally speaking it was the first time I had seen Maidenhead win at York Road since August 20th, whilst Advertiser reporter Dan Darlington had never seen the Magpies win since he started covering their games.

The three points provides a chink of light in the relegation trapdoor. If it can be followed up on Tuesday at Dorchester then the battle is well and truly on.