Maidenhead paid for their good fortune on New Years Day with some good saves, bad officiating and a lack of killer instinct in front of goal leading to another winning opportunity being passed up. Add in some hefty challenges from St. Albans and you have a frustrating afternoon.
This was a shame as a trip to Clarence Park is usually one to be relished. The swift journey north on the train sped past Hendon's old Claremont Road ground with its impressive floodlight pylons. This led to reminiscences of a time when trips to Hendon and St. Albans which came with Isthmian Premier Division status were a mere pipedream for the Magpies. Now Hendon subsist in a groundshare whilst St. Albans nervously await the outcome of an FA financial enquiry which may cost vital points in their battle against relegation.
They retain one player of quality in goalkeeper Paul Bastock and his two first half saves from Alex Wall certainly had a key influence on the result. The Saints goal came within a minute of centre back Marcus Rose being replaced for United which may have had something to do with Inih Effiong breaking the offside trap to score. From then on there was plenty of goalmouth incident with St. Albans' overly physical determination to win at home for the first time this season leaving its mark on Ashley Smith amongst others and reflecting manager Steve Castle's career as a bustling midfielder.
