You'd have been forgiven, bearing in mind (1) Maidenhead's lamentable home defeat vs King's Lynn on Saturday and (2) the national fuel shortage, for thinking that we'd give a midweek trip to Somerset a miss, but that would perhaps be ignorant of (1) the Magpies' unbeaten record against the Glovers - won four and drawn two (now three), dating back to an Isthmian League Cup tie in October 1985 - and (2) the MurdoMobile having a full tank
Erratic weather - blinding sunshine one minute, ominous-looking clouds and torrential downpours the next - as we made steady progress on our relatively straightforward journey down the M4/ A33/ M3/ A303: we passed Stonehenge shortly after six and arrived at the ground in time for dinner (not bad) from the Only Food & Sauces van - behind the Thatchers Gold Stand, surrounded by countless potholes - before kick-off
Our starting lineup included new loan signing Jay 'Mingi the Merciless' and, despite his all-too-predictable dismissal for two tackles yellows (the Yeovil no. 16, in contrast, got away with persistent fouling all night), his sprightly midfield display typified a much-improved performance from Alan Devonshire's men
Very few goal-scoring chances were created by either side, even after the red card: Nathan Blissett had a couple for the Magpies in the first half but (1) was hauled down when through on goal (free kick just outside the box, obvs.), then (2) shot tamely into the side netting, while Rhys Lovett produced a fine save to repel Alan Massey's misdirected header, before the travelling hordes (34, officially, although there was 50-odd in the away end) roared the team over the line for a deserved share of the spoils
I'd have taken a draw before kick-off - and it was pleasing that almost every Maidenhead player impressed (including lively substitute Josh Kelly, if not the two attacking Bs) - but, as discussed on the drive home (involving a slight detour due to road closures affecting both the A303 and the A34; soundtracked by songs from the likes of Belle and Sebastian - seemingly a Murdo Mixtape staple - and The Lightning Seeds), it is a concern that our better performances of late have only yielded solitary points (see also: Grimsby); no win now since 28th August
Long (ish) trip to 8th-placed Altrincham, this coming Saturday, presumably has 'good day out tainted by 90 minutes of football' written all over it; here's hoping that the Magpies, rather than the watering holes in John Squire's hometown, change the narrative
(BBC report; match highlights)
Useful point for @MUFCYorkRoad
— Bearrocscir (@neilmaskell79) October 5, 2021
Well sung, the 34 🎶 👍 pic.twitter.com/cOC1eOIRKu
No comments:
Post a Comment