Maidenhead Utd 4 - 2 Winchester City
Winchester City put up another brilliant performance against National League South Maidenhead United on Wednesday 30th September 2015 but on this occasion the chips were stacked against them. Dave Tarpey scored twice in the first half to gain revenge for his red card at the Denplan Stadium and they conceded a third goal in a bizarre manner and a fourth deep into injury time.
Maidenhead piled on the pressure from the start and Brendon Norris in the City goal pulled off a string of saves that kept the tie alive and against the run of play City took the lead. Adam Roberts laid on a chance for Warren Bentley and he jinxed his way through the penalty box to score from close range (19th).
Maidenhead were back on even terms in the 32nd minute when Tarpey struck again, beating Norris at the far post.
City were penned in for the rest of the half with Adam Tomasso, Leigh Mills and Jamie Barron in particular working hard to remain level but right on half time Tarpey scored his second, the ball taking a deflection on its way into the net. This was the first time Maidenhead had taken the lead in 135 minutes of football.
Norris was again to the fore in the second half showing his growing maturity with some good saves but he was beaten again in the 57th minute. Ben Wright rolled the ball into the path of Jake Reed and Norris pulled off a stunning save only for the ball to somehow loop up into the air and into the net over his fallen body.
City were soon back in the game, however, Roberts forced a good save from Carl Pentney in the Maidenhead goal but Bentley was on hand to push the ball over the line from the rebound.
City made a change in the 63rd minute when Barron was given a rest to be replaced by Matt Benham and minutes later Rob Flooks put a header just over the Maidenhead bar.
In order to try and force the equaliser Manager Paul Masters brought on Geoff Dunn for Zach Glasspool (78th) and Tomasso was replaced by Harrison fay (89th) but unfortunately deep into injury time Gavin James created a chance for Jake Reid who put the ball away.
Attendance: 256
City: Brendon Norris, Adam Tomasso, Leigh Mills, Jamie Barron, Jamie Thoroughgood, Rob Flooks, Adam roberts, Mike Hubbard, Zach Glasspool, Warren Bentley, Dan Cann, Harison Fay, Geoff Dunn, Matt Benham, Mick Miller and George Baxter
