Magpies Match Generals in 1-1 Draw

It was a goal and a point each for Maidenhead United and Chesham United in a 1-1 draw at the Meadow on Saturday afternoon. 

 

Sam Barratt returned to the starting XI, while David Mantle made his first start for United. Former loanee Kai Yearn appeared on the bench for the hosts, while a United loan of our own was announced prior to kick off with Corie Andrews joining Enfield Town for the remainder of the season. 

 

A slow start to the afternoon meant there was little to report in the opening stages. Two free kick opportunities for Chesham flew past the post or out of the ground, but the hosts soon threatened Jordi van Stappershoef’s goal through Samson Eson, whose shot was deflected out for an unfruitful corner. 

 

The Magpies settled into the game once a quarter of it had been played. Attacking down the left, Liam Dulson was tripped on the edge of the box, but was unable to deliver when quickly back on his feet. Sam Barratt, on the other hand, played a great ball across the face of goal, but a black and white shirt was nowhere to be found on the receiving end of it. 

 

A stop-start affair saw Chesham’s best chance of the half up to that point come with ten minutes to go before half-time. Karl Oliyide broke through with a great opportunity to beat van Stappershoef, but the Magpies’ keeper stood strong to deny the goal. Down the other end, Josh Popoola’s free kick presented Will de Havilland with a glorious headed chance, but the referee’s whistle blew for a foul before it could truly materialise. 

 

United were somewhat unfortunate to go into the break trailing. A parry from van Stappershoef landed at the feet of Josh Addae who dragged his shot wide. However, Mitchell Weiss’s toe was in the right place to deflect into the back of the net, leaving the Generals with a one goal lead heading into the interval. 

 

 

The Magpies had an early opportunity in the second half when Dulson latched onto a great through ball from Owen Cochrane. His strike tested Ben Goode who palmed the striker’s effort away from danger. 

 

The constant interruptions made it difficult for United to find any momentum. However, they had chances including through Popoola who forced Goode to deny an equaliser. The Chesham keeper’s efforts were futile, however, when Dulson levelled the scores in the 69th minute. A fine delivery from Asher Yearwood allowed Popoola to lay off the #17, who smashed home into the corner. 

 

A rather flat afternoon livened up in the final quarter of an hour as both teams sought a winner. It was an ending which saw United’s opponents receive a red card for the second week in succession when Callum Adebiyi was sent off for an apparent stamp on Dulson as the clock approached 90 minutes. 

 

While Chesham were tactical in their time management, Maidenhead failed to capitalise on their man advantage for the eight minutes of stoppage time, and the game finished level. 

 

 

Chesham: Goode, Lafleur, Stevens, Esan (Yearn, 71’), Rasulo (Lench, 64’), Weiss, Oliyide (Joseph, 55’), Young, Adebiyi ©, Addae, Williams (Brown, 90’) 

 

Magpies: van Stappershoef, de Havilland ©, Mantle, Yearwood (Pritchard, 81’), Mitchell-Lawson, Robinson, Dulson, Cochrane (Ragguette, 59’), Clerima, Popoola, Barratt (Umerah, 54’) 

 

Attendance: 914