Match Report:
After a poor performance last week, New Town were up against a tough side in Maiden, who were on the back of an unlucky defeat to Maypole Reserves last week. The last meeting between these two sides saw New Town hang on to a 5-4 win on a small pitch. This meeting was taking place on a much larger pitch and it would be interesting to see which team this would suit best.

New Town started very brightly. Within 5 minutes, the home team took an early lead. A quick free-kick was taken by Maiden and struck against the back of a New Town player. Bellworthy took advantage and played in Watkins who took two attempts to beat the onrushing goalkeeper. Maiden appealed that the New Town player was not 10 yards, but it was their own choice to take the free-kick quickly and the referee was correct to allow play to go on.

Bellworthy nearly doubled the lead during the next attack. After breaking clear down the left, he struck a powerful left-footed shot that was palmed wide by the Maiden number one. Maiden looked frustrated and unorganised and managed to avoid going two goals down as they cleared a couple of corners.

Maiden began to make a lot of space in midfield and started to take control of the game. They scored an equaliser halfway through the first half from a throw-in. New Town appeals for offside as the ball was flicked on and then a cross was finished at the near post. Again, the referee made the correct decision as the ball was flicked on by a defending player.

Maiden were then in the ascendency and were looking dangerous every time they got the ball. Rob Dear was called into action on two occasions and saved a couple of one-on-ones as a third big chance was shot wide by the Maiden striker. Dear then tipped a long-range effort over the bar as the home team began to struggle with the pace and movement of their opponents.

New Town were occasionally looking dangerous on the counter-attack and Miles shot over in the final minute of the half. 1-1 at half-time.

In the second half, both teams started cautiously and chances were few and far between. However, there were lots of nearly moments for both teams but the offside flag were raised for both teams.

New Town then started to push forward and were having some joy up front as Maiden's defence lacked communication. A drop-kick from Dear went over everyone as two defenders got in each other's way. Watkins ran on to the loose ball but his effort with his weaker right-foot rolled wide.

This encouraged New Town and Watkins dribbled clear of his marker and played in Miles for another golden chance. This time, Miles showed good composure to finish beyond the goalkeeper and give New Town the lead.

Maiden tried to work themselves back into the game, however it was the home-team who were seeing a lot of the ball and there was a period or 10-15 minutes where there was only one team that looked likely to score. Bellworthy almost snatched a third goal after flicking the ball over his marker, but his shot from 25 yards flew inches wide.

After another long-range effort from Bellworthy and a half-shout for a penalty after Noble appeared to be held down when jumping for the ball in the area, New Town were looking good for their lead. However, the next goal was going to be the crucial one.

With 15 minutes left, Maiden pushed on and then began to boss the game as New Town's midfield appeared to tire. Despite New Town's back four holding out well and working hard to keep their opponents at bay, Maiden were looking dangerous.

With two minutes left on the clock, it was looking as though New Town were going to manage to hold on for the win, until a good through ball was played to a pacey midfielder to run on to and calmly slot in to equalise.

New Town looked deflated and Maiden were hoping to snatch a win, but there proved to not be enough time for either team to put together an attack as the final whistle was blown.