Match report
Having rested a number of players for the midweek game against Dulwich Hamlet, Terry Brown reverted to his strongest available team. With Jon Main cup-tied and Daniel Webb falling ill on the morning of the match, Marcus Gayle led the attack with Mark De Bolla playing just off him. Luke Garrard and Jason Goodliffe returned to the back four with Tony Finn and Jake Leberl returning to the midfield.
The early skirmishes, with both sides gently probing for any weakness in the opponent’s defences, provided little goalmouth action. Chris Ramos in the United goal safely gathered a De Bolla free kick, following a foul on Mark Beard, and at the other end a corner by Errol Telemacque was comfortably cleared.
However, after 14 minutes the game came to life when Tony Finn picked up the ball on the right, danced past 2 defenders and delivered a tempting ball to the near post. Unfortunately for the visiting fans, Steve Ferguson’s finish did not match the timing of his run and his header disappointingly sailed over the bar. Maidenhead reacted with a quick break but Telemacque demonstrated a lack of composure and his shot flew harmlessly wide.
A minute later the Dons again came close to scoring when Finn laid the ball into the path of Luke Garrard whose first time chip, possibly a shot at goal possibly a cross, hit the top of the bar and dropped out of play for a goal kick.
As the half progressed, the Dons continued to enjoy the best of the exchanges without really threatening although a miss-kick by a United defender from a De Bolla free kick trickled inches past the far post for a corner.
The home side were making little headway against the Dons’ well marshalled defence but shortly before half time, their best opportunity arrived when the ball was played through the inside left position and, with Michael Haswell raising his arms for off side, John Hastings moved menacingly to the ball. Realising the flag had not been raised the full back quickly made up ground and made a timely tackle as Hastings prepared to shoot.
With the slope in their favour the Dons started the second period in positive mood and on the 50th minute took a deserved lead. The ball was worked out to the right and found Ferguson in space. He quickly made ground towards the by line before dinking a delightful cross to the far post where Gayle rose above his marker and headed the ball back across the goal past the helpless Ramos.
The tempo immediately increased and within minutes the ball had been played inside the full back to Ferguson, who cut the ball back to De Bolla who blasted high.
Not to be denied, the Dons increased their lead with their next attack. Haswell swung in a long free kick from the right to the far post where Antony Howard was lurking. The defender’s attempted headed clearance looped up into the air and, to the delight of the travelling fans grouped behind the goal, Howard coolly headed over Ramos to start the celebrations.
The goal forced United’s manager to change his formation and tactics and to a mixture of boos and cheers, Wes Daly, of whom little was seen, was withdrawn, to be replaced by Serge Makofo who immediately moved into a more forward position. For 10 minutes the home team raised their game as they pushed forward but, with Goodliffe and Howard making timely blocks, Danny Knowles was not seriously tested.
As the game became more stretched, more space appeared for the Dons to counter attack which they did with relish. Chances came and went as Finn and Ferguson both blasted high and wide when well placed, and then Ferguson evaded the goalkeeper but again failed to find the target. Next it was De Bolla’s turn to miss the target as he shot agonisingly wide after Beard had squared the ball to him.
As the Dons started to run down the clock the home side’s disappointing display reached its lowest point as team mates Benjamin and Sterling began arguing and then pushing and shoving each other as others tried to intervene.
Overall, a thoroughly convincing display and a second round match awaits in early January.
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