Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2007 15:50:48 GMT
From this weeks Surrey Advertiser:
Football: 'Mad' Max the hero
GIANT Max Aneke had Godal-ming Town doing cartwheels after a dramatic penalty shoot-out triumph.
But the heroic 6ft 4in Nigerian was left with a sore head after amazing scenes at Wey Court on Tuesday night.
As the towering figure prepared to receive the second of the spot kicks he flexed his knees a little too enthusiastically and cracked his head on the underside of the crossbar.
Having already dived to his left to keep out a firm Paul Harkness effort, Aneke had Boro seeing stars as he pushed the next – from Lewis Dark – onto his right post.
With cool customers James Blason and Graeme Purdy converting their efforts for the hosts, the BGB South & West leaders were on the ropes.
Nic Ciardini finally beat Aneke but the pressure mounted when Chris Wales – scorer of a spectacular second-half equaliser – made it 3-1.
That meant former Town favourite Liam Pestle had to score to keep Boro in the tie but the right-back blasted against the crossbar.
It prompted an extraordinary celebration from Aneke, who launched his huge frame into the night sky with a double flick-flack and back somersault worthy of any gymnastics hall.
Boss Chuck Martini said: “Max is an absolute nutcase. I couldn’t believe it – I’ve never seen him do that before and it will be the last time because if he does it again I’ll fine him.”
He went on: “I said before I signed Max that he thought he was Peter Schmeichel and if he keeps doing that I’m going to start to believe him.
“He is a big boy and intimidating in goal, so any player walking up to take a penalty against him isn’t going to fancy it. He is better than this league, he is a good signing and I’m going to do my utmost to hang on to him.”
Earlier, Town had failed to make their bright, early dominance tell as goalkeeper Justin Gray was forced to push away a Blason shot and a far post Glen Stanley header inside the opening 20 minutes.
But Boro, with only centre-back Sean Thurgood surviving from the side which drew 3-3 on the same ground on the opening day of the league season, got a foothold after that.
Twice midfielder Dark went close with flashing low drives and then Marcus Richardson had Aneke sprawling to keep the ball out as his shot pitched awkwardly in front of him.
Boro finally took the lead in the 40th minute when Ian Oliver seized on space on the left of the box and clipped over a deep cross for Ciardini to stoop and head in.Town’s early second-half response was positive though and they equalised on 49 minutes when Wales spied Gray straying off his line and chipped him audaciously from 30 yards.
Victor Kiri came on to good effect on the left and nearly set up Stanley for a winner but parity remained and extra-time could not separate the sides either.
Boro boss Andy Clement sent on sub goalkeeper Lyall Beazley just before the final whistle. A penalty specialist? Maybe but he never got a sniff from Blason and company.
Aneke was the star instead – but he was not alone. Martini saluted skipper James Mariner, a colossus at the heart of the defence after filling in for Richard Taylor who hobbled away at half time with a hamstring injury.
The boss agreed: “He was absolutely superb and man-of-the-match by a mile.
Football: 'Mad' Max the hero
GIANT Max Aneke had Godal-ming Town doing cartwheels after a dramatic penalty shoot-out triumph.
But the heroic 6ft 4in Nigerian was left with a sore head after amazing scenes at Wey Court on Tuesday night.
As the towering figure prepared to receive the second of the spot kicks he flexed his knees a little too enthusiastically and cracked his head on the underside of the crossbar.
Having already dived to his left to keep out a firm Paul Harkness effort, Aneke had Boro seeing stars as he pushed the next – from Lewis Dark – onto his right post.
With cool customers James Blason and Graeme Purdy converting their efforts for the hosts, the BGB South & West leaders were on the ropes.
Nic Ciardini finally beat Aneke but the pressure mounted when Chris Wales – scorer of a spectacular second-half equaliser – made it 3-1.
That meant former Town favourite Liam Pestle had to score to keep Boro in the tie but the right-back blasted against the crossbar.
It prompted an extraordinary celebration from Aneke, who launched his huge frame into the night sky with a double flick-flack and back somersault worthy of any gymnastics hall.
Boss Chuck Martini said: “Max is an absolute nutcase. I couldn’t believe it – I’ve never seen him do that before and it will be the last time because if he does it again I’ll fine him.”
He went on: “I said before I signed Max that he thought he was Peter Schmeichel and if he keeps doing that I’m going to start to believe him.
“He is a big boy and intimidating in goal, so any player walking up to take a penalty against him isn’t going to fancy it. He is better than this league, he is a good signing and I’m going to do my utmost to hang on to him.”
Earlier, Town had failed to make their bright, early dominance tell as goalkeeper Justin Gray was forced to push away a Blason shot and a far post Glen Stanley header inside the opening 20 minutes.
But Boro, with only centre-back Sean Thurgood surviving from the side which drew 3-3 on the same ground on the opening day of the league season, got a foothold after that.
Twice midfielder Dark went close with flashing low drives and then Marcus Richardson had Aneke sprawling to keep the ball out as his shot pitched awkwardly in front of him.
Boro finally took the lead in the 40th minute when Ian Oliver seized on space on the left of the box and clipped over a deep cross for Ciardini to stoop and head in.Town’s early second-half response was positive though and they equalised on 49 minutes when Wales spied Gray straying off his line and chipped him audaciously from 30 yards.
Victor Kiri came on to good effect on the left and nearly set up Stanley for a winner but parity remained and extra-time could not separate the sides either.
Boro boss Andy Clement sent on sub goalkeeper Lyall Beazley just before the final whistle. A penalty specialist? Maybe but he never got a sniff from Blason and company.
Aneke was the star instead – but he was not alone. Martini saluted skipper James Mariner, a colossus at the heart of the defence after filling in for Richard Taylor who hobbled away at half time with a hamstring injury.
The boss agreed: “He was absolutely superb and man-of-the-match by a mile.