Maidenhead United made it four wins in 12 days in a thrilling 2-1 win over Chelmsford City at York Road.
Alan Devonshire made one change to the starting XI, with Ryan Bartley replacing Will de Havilland who suffered a nose injury earlier in the week. Asher Yearwood, having sustained an injury two weeks prior, returned to the bench, while Matt Robinson donned the captain’s armband.
Chelmsford had the first chance of the game with only two minutes played. Shiloh Remy’s cross sought a touch in the box, which only came when Jordon Ragguette cleared the danger.
It took a little while for United to establish an attacking presence on the game, having largely been contained to their own half for the first 15 minutes as Chelmsford took potshots at Jordi van Stappershoef. Their first real opportunity when Josh Popoola fired from the corner of the box, with his shot palmed away by Chris Haigh.
van Stappershoef was called into action yet again when Jack Barham went on a charging run down the right flank and into the centre of the box. His shot was obstructed, but van Stappershoef made the save and held on to bring an end to the attack.
A somewhat cagey game between two strong teams continued for much of the first half. Although they had been threatening in attack, Chelmsford looked vulnerable in defence – perhaps what prompted Ragguette to fire a bullet towards Haigh which the ‘keeper saved well.
United continue to put pressure on Haigh’s goal, and a flurry of “ooohs” echoed around York Road when Owen Cochrane volleyed towards the Chelmsford ‘keeper. The goal had been prevented, albeit only temporarily. Liam Dulson collected the ball on the edge of the area, and hammered home past a stricken Haigh.
Half-time: Magpies 1-0 Chelmsford City
Proceedings continued without any changes to either side. Chelmsford, having earned their first corners of the game, failed to capitalise on their training ground routines. United, on the other hand, had an excellent chance after Kane Ferdinand was bearhugged in the middle of the pitch. Jayden Mitchell-Lawson collected the ball barrelled down the right, and pass into the six yard board was scrappily dealt with by the City defence.
The Magpies pressed for a second with a strong passage of play around the hour mark. Josh Popoola’s free kick could only be hurried out for a corner, the result of which allowed Josh Umerah to turn and shoot. When this went out for another set piece, Popoola almost scored directly from the corner, with Haigh’s panicked punch forcing a third corner in succession. Chelmsford finally cleared the danger when an overhit set piece was booted away.
After four substitutions and a relative quiet half down the Canal End, the Clarets responded with a dangerous attack with van Stappershoef called into action. Kai Corbett’s powered effort forced the Maidenhead ‘keeper to parry away, and Junior Nkeng caught onto the rebounded. A flying Ragguette got himself in the way, preventing the visitors’ best opportunity.
United responded moments later. Kai Yearn, having come off the bench, struck the crossbar with ten minutes to go with a beautiful effort from 25 yards out.
It seemed like an end-to-end matchup came to a conclusion as Chelmsford scored in the 90th minute. Chelmsford won a free kick, and Jack Barham tapped home the rebound which had clattered the upright.
It seemed as if there’d be little more action when the fourth official indicated there’d be four minutes of added time. However, Popoola won it at the death, when his rebounded shot, initially made possible thanks to Corie Andrews’ header, trickled past Haigh for the winner.
Full-time: Magpies 2-1 Chelmsford
Magpies: van Stappershoef, Bartley, Ragguette, Ferdinand, Mitchell-Lawson (Yearn, 67’), Robinson, Umerah (Andrews, 88’), Dulson, Cochrane, Clerima, Popoola (Welch-Hayes, 90’)
Chelmsford: Haigh, Barbrook, Grimwood, Castiglione, Odusanya, Holmes (Tamplin, 67’), Kadiabor (Taylor, 57’), Remy (Corbett, 75’), Clark (Nkeng, 71’), Tompkins, Barham
Attendance: 1,190
Share this post: