United 2
(Goodwin 24′, Jarvis 45+7′)
Maidenhead 3
(Acquah 45+3′, Adams 45+11′ pen, Clerima 90+5′)
Match Sponsored by: The Player Sponsors
There was late heartache for United at Plainmoor, as a stoppage-time winner saw Maidenhead snatch the points on Tuesday evening.
Twice in the first half The Gulls went ahead, however after Will Goodwin and Aaron Jarvis’ strikes were cancelled out by Emile Acquah and Charlee Adams respectively, Remi Clerima scored a fortuitous winner in stoppage time.
United Manager Gary Johnson named one change in the side that drew 1-1 with Scunthorpe just a few days earlier, with Ben Wyatt returning to the starting eleven in the place of Dylan Crowe.
In a quiet opening for both sides, Gary Johnson’s men enjoyed much of the possession. On 3 minutes a free kick just past the halfway line by Ben Wyatt found Dean Moxey beyond the far-post who was able to rise and get a header on target, but was denied by Dan Gyollai.
In the 10th minute good build-up play down the right ended with Kieron Evans steering a cross towards the far-post for Goodwin, who despite being surrounded by two Maidenhead defenders, managed to get a header on target, forcing Gyollai to half-clear, which fell for Scott Smith just outside the box, who had his effort saved.
Moments later there was a lengthy stoppage to proceedings, as United were dealt with a huge blow, as Evans suffered a nasty injury. With the Yellow Army showing their appreciation for the young loanee as he was stretchered off the field.
Gary Johnson’s men were quick to push on after the restart, and broke through in the 24th minute. A series of passes between Wyatt and Tom Lapslie ended with the ball being fed through for Goodwin, who took one touch to play the ball onto his right foot, before drilling a low effort home, 1-0.
Maidenhead tried to respond quickly and in the 28th minute a half-clearance fell for Charlee Adams outside the box who drilled a half-volley just over.
Ten minutes later United were forced into another early substitution, after it was clear Ross Marshall could no longer continue, it was former Magpie, Shaun Donnellan who entered the field.
A lot of end-to-end pursued throughout the half, before in the closing stages it was the visiting side who began to look dangerous.
Maidenhead continued a high-press down the left flank, and after a number of great blocks, found a way through. A deep cross swung in from the left towards the far-post found Acquah who was able to nod home to equalise in the 3rd minute of additional time.
Five minutes later, Jarvis reestablished United’s lead. Dan Martin drove down the left flank before his low cross found the feed of Jarvis, who was able to control the ball well, before firing his effort into the bottom-right corner.
Just as it looked as if the half was going to come to an end, there was controversy in the United box after Acquah broke into the box, with Wyatt closing him down, the Maidenhead player’s strike deflected, with the referee deeming Wyatt to have handled the ball. It was Adams who stood up to convert, steering his effort low into the bottom-left corner, just beyond the fingertips of United goalkeeper Mark Halstead in the 11th minute of additional time.
Gary Johnson’s side were quick to push on after the restart, and created a chance two minutes into the second half. A terrific run by Lapslie saw the midfielder feed the ball to Martin inside the right edge of the box, who crossed, looking for Jarvis, who was able to rise and get a header away, but it was wide.
On 55 minutes, Jarvis tried is luck from distance, and caught his effort well, but it was over. Two minutes later, United nearly created a terrific goalscoring opportunity. From a free kick around ten yards outside the box, Brett McGavin played the ball short for Moxey, whose quick pass, looking to play Smith through, was caught just too heavy by the Wigan loanee, allowing the visitors to clear.
The half continued with few goalscoring opportunities for either side, but in the 73rd minute it was Gary Johnson’s men who threatened. Goodwin did well to work the ball down the left, before firing a low-cross into the six yard box – it was chased by Smith who was just short.
In the final ten minutes of normal time united were forced to soak up pressure from the visiting side. In the 82nd minute a corner by Adams was curling goal-ward, forcing Halstead to be alert off his line to save. Moments later substitute Reece Smith cut into the United box, before his strike was well saved by Halstead who stretched down to his left to save.
As the match headed into stoppage time, both sides went full-throttle for a winner – and Torquay went within inches of securing their first home win of the season.
A ball from the left saw substitute Ryan Hanson rise above all comers to head the ball goalwards from six yards out, only for the ball to be miraculously headed off the goal line with nothing to spare.
Disappointment at seeing their hopes of three points dashed, heartbreak at ending with nothing at all struck moments later. With time nearly up, Clerima threw a hopeful, curling right-footed cross into the mixer, and despite it missing everybody, the ball curled into the far corner of the net.
Hard to take, without a doubt – but the applause that greeted Johnson’s players as they made their way off he pitch did at least show that they remain firmly behind their side.
Thanks for your support.
United: 1. Mark Halstead, 3. Dan Martin, 4. Tom Lapslie, 5. Ali Omar, 6. Ross Marshall (16. Shaun Donnellan 38′, 7. Ryan Hanson 88′), 9. Aaron Jarvis, 11. Kieron Evans (14. Brett McGavin 22′), 19. Will Goodwin, 15. Ben Wyatt, 21. Dean Moxey (c), 36. Scott Smith.
SUBS NOT USED: 7. Ryan Hanson, 22. Rhys Lovett, 23. Ollie Tomlinson.
Yellow Cards: Goodwin 30′, McGavin 46′, Lapslie 77′
Maidenhead: Dan Gyollai, 2. Zico Asare, 4. Will De Havilland, 5. Cole Kpekawa, 6. Remy Clerima, 8. Ashley Nathaniel-George (7. Sam Barratt 88′), 14. Emile Acquah (23. Adrian Clifton 69′), 19. Ryan Upward, 20. Koby Arthur (17. Reece Smith 69′), 24. Alan Massey (c), 27. Charlee Adams.
SUBS NOT USED: 9. Shawn McCoulsky, 15. Idris Odutayo.
Yellow Cards: Upward 86′
Attendance: 1,501 (20 away)