Sam Beckwith's 'fringe' helps Maidenhead United to all three points

Sam Beckwith pumps his fist after Sam Barratt’s winning strike. Photo: Maidenhead United FC

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Sam Beckwith used his ‘fringe’ to good effect in the closing stages of Maidenhead United’s 2-1 win over Solihull Moors on Saturday, deflecting Jamey Osborne’s goal bound shot over the bar in injury-time. 

Maidenhead were closing in on a much-needed, and fully deserved, three points thanks to Tobi Sho-Silva’s poacher’s finish in the first half and a second half thunderbolt from Sam Barratt. 

However, Moors, who levelled towards the end of the first half through former Magpie, Josh Kelly, pressed forward in the closing stages as they sought to keep their promotion challenge on track. 

In doing so they created a couple of decent chances to snatch a result from under Maidenhead’s noses, however, Beckwith – and his fellow defenders – stood firm to see the game through to its conclusion. 

The best chance in those closing moments fell to Osborne, who was played clean through on goal in the 92nd minute. His shot flew past Craig Ross and was headed in before Beckwith managed to get back and flick the ball over the crossbar with his forehead. 

The result lifts the Magpies to 14th in the table, yet they remain only five points above the drop zone, illustrating the critical importance of this victory, their first since Kidderminster Harriers were toppled at York Road in mid-December.

“That's our jobs as defenders, to keep the ball out of the net,” he said. “We do whatever it takes to do that.

“Luckily, it came off the old fringe, do you know what I mean. I knew it would come in handy.

“I feel like there have been so many games this season where we've been so close to getting the three points. We've deserved more in other games we've played, but we got the three points today, so happy days.

“Everything we've been building towards was shown in that game. We defended well, we attacked well, albeit we could probably have created a little bit more.

“The first half hour we were excellent. We've bounced back from Tuesday and it's another three points so we can't complain.

“It was some strike to win it from Sammy, he's capable of that, we've seen it for years. But, overall, I felt like we deserved the three points. We dictated the play and defended very well.”