Sam Barratt felt Maidenhead United almost executed their game plan to perfection

Sam Barratt. Darren Woolley

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Sam Barratt admits Maidenhead United nearly executed their game plan to perfection as the hosts came the width of a post away from taking all three points against Bromley on Saturday.

The Ravens travelled to Berkshire as big favourites to extend their winning run, having beaten Ebbsfleet United in back-to-back fixtures over the festive period.

However, while Maidenhead had seen their long unbeaten run in the league ended by Wealdstone on Boxing Day, they’ve been more than a match for most sides they’ve faced at York Road this season – and that trend continued with the visit of Andy Woodman’s side.

Once again, the Magpies went toe-to-toe against one of the teams competing for promotion to the EFL, and they also created the game’s clearest opportunity, when Shawn McCoulsky was sent clean through in the final minutes.

Barratt intercepted the ball and played it through to the substitute, but he steered the ball just wide of the post with just Grant Smith to beat.

Bromley aren’t second in the division for no reason though and they carved out enough chances to have nicked all three points themselves. Sam Woods came closest to them with a volley that struck the post in the second half while he also steered a shot just wide with almost the last kick of the game.

Magpies boss Alan Devonshire will have been encouraged by his side’s performance, however, the result leaves them closer to the relegation zone with the gap to the bottom four now just five points.

Woodham also conceded afterwards it would be difficult for the Ravens to catch leaders Chesterfield – who have three matches in hand on them and didn’t play at the weekend – however, while the result did neither side much good in their respective battles this season, you wouldn’t have known that from the way both sets of players were applauded off at the end.

Speaking afterwards, Barratt said: “We had a game plan to go after them a little bit. We were a bit sluggish in the first half but second half we were better.

“We had our chances which we probably should have taken, but they also had some so maybe a draw is a fair result.

“First half we came under the cosh a bit, but we defended well from corners and set pieces. It’s nice to have Kevin Lokko back in there, another experienced boy at the back. We defended well and that gives you a good foundation to go forward. Second half we pushed on and we could have nicked a goal, but they also had a good chance at the end.”

Maidenhead had the ball in the net inside the opening 15 minutes, when Lokko scored from close range, however the referee ruled the strike out. Barratt felt he explained his reasons for chalking the goal off well but that doesn’t mean he didn’t think the goal should have stood.

“I was right by it to be fair,” he said. “There was a deflection off the keeper and then onto their defender and it went in. I didn’t see anything wrong with it, but to be fair, the referee explained it well and said that we were interfering with their attempted clearance. But I still think it should have stood and we could have kicked on from there.”

Barratt was also involved in Maidenhead’s best moment when he put McCoulsky through on goal, but it wasn’t to be for the Magpies striker and the home side.

“It was close, he just missed the near post,” said Barratt. “We needed to stretch them more and get in behind and that’s what Shawn brings when he comes into the team. He’s rapid and gets in behind well.

“If he’d been on a few more minutes, I’m sure he’d have scored that.

“Looking back at our last game against Wealdstone, we weren’t at the races at all, but coming here, against a team that’s flying and is second in the league, we defended well and got a good point. It’s a solid point.

“We’ve got a break now before our next league game, but I’m sure Dev will train us hard before we go on our travels to Halifax.”