From the Archives: Mooney hat-trick for promotion chasers

Martyn Spong’s promotion-chasing Magpies returned from Surrey with three points and six goals from their thrashing of out-of-form Malden Vale, 31 years ago yesterday on March 10, 1990. Lee Mooney scored his second hat-trick in a fortnight to strengthen Maidenhead’s hopes of escaping from the Vauxhall-Opel League Division 2 South.

The hosts had lost twelve of their previous thirteen matches before Maidenhead’s visit. The away side made a slow start and the hosts hit the cross bar with Magpies ‘keeper Peter Rackley beaten. Maidenhead took the lead against the run of play three minutes before half time. Neil Watson it was who stabbed the Magpies into an undeserved lead, prodding home Cullum’s cross following Holder’s corner.

If the first half had been a struggle then the Advertiser reporter Mark Roach described the second forty-five as “a joy to watch”. Five minutes had elapsed in the second period before Holder scored with “a superb effort” following Exer’s long pass. On the hour Mooney picked himself up having been fouled to score from the spot and the relentless Magpies had a fourth minutes later when Benny Laryea scored after the hosts failed to clear Holder’s corner.

The home side’s luck worsened when reduced to ten men through injury and Maidenhead showed no mercy. Mooney smashed home from six yards after yet another Holder corner had caused chaos in the Malden area and there was no surprise when the final goal – and Mooney’s hat-trick – followed when Holder’s flag kick was headed against the bar by Watson with the in-form striker finishing off the rebound.

This was as good as it got for Spong’s side however. Just two further wins were recorded from their final ten matches as the Magpies were to finish fifth. It was to be another twelve months until promotion hopes were satisfied at long last.