Report: Dan the Man in First Win of the Season

A first-half strike from Dan Nkrumah saw Maidenhead United secure a first win of the season in an excellent 1-0 victory at Hemel Hempstead on Tuesday evening. 

 

Ryan Peters made two changes to the side who drew with Dorking on Saturday. Joshua Johnson and Dan Nkrumah returned to the starting XI, replacing who Alfie and Christian N’Guessan. 

 

From the off United were the better of the two sides, and a Joel Odeniran header just wide of the post from Jordon Ragguette's corner were the first of many chances throughout the first half. 

 

Hemel had an early chance of their own with Devante Stanley taking aim from 12 yards out. A well-timed sliding block from George Abbott prevented the hosts from opening. 

 

The Magpies soon scored the only goal of the game a few minutes later. Josh Coley was unable to get a shot away from inside the Hemel box, with United retaining possession. A switch across to Dan Nkrumah presented an opportunity for a beautiful volley, which he slammed home from the right. 

 

Maidenhead’s first goal of the season prompted a 25-minute rendition of “Mags Away” from the approximately 100 travelling Magpies, only interrupted by the flurry of chances for those in a turquoise shirt. Jayden Mitchell-Lawson curled an effort towards Michael Johnson after a great run, while Josh Umerah delivered a cross which was crucially intercepted by Charlie Rowan. 

 

Coley, who was excellent in his positional play all evening, was unlucky not to score in the 33rd minute. Another cross saw the attacking midfielder have three shots in five seconds, with a volley rebounding into a header rebounding into Coley’s shoulder brilliantly denied by the Hemel ‘keeper. A late Ragguette cross was also just out of reach for the 28-year-old before the teams headed into the dressing room. 

 

 

The hosts emerged stronger in the opening stages of the second half, but threatening build-up play was either ruined by wayward efforts over the terrace, or a great block by Umerah. 

 

Shortly afterwards, United re-established their stronghold on the game, with notable highlights being Joshua Johnson’s acrobatic effort after a corner was headed upwards, as well as another link up between Ragguette and Coley which was caught by Hemel’s #1. 

 

A stretch of substitutions for both side changed the flow of the game as Hemel sought an equaliser. Stanley once again took aim towards goal, this time with a clever scissor kick, but his strike proved unfruitful as Jordi van Stappershoef watched it sail wide. 

 

Substitute Finley Welch made an impact on the game, and could only watch his late effort dribble tantalisingly wide after some clever footwork in the Hemel penalty area. The ex-trialist also had a shot from a tight angle saved in the dying seconds, with Johnson forced to get a foot in the way to prevent a sealer. 

 

Apart from the goal, the key moment came in the fourth minute of stoppage time through the United goalkeeper. David Sesay found himself with a near-certain equaliser, but van Stappershoef held on brilliantly to guarantee the Magpies’ first three points of the season. 

 

 

Hemel: Johnson, Gallimore (Wiltshire 78’), Rowan ©, Longe-King, Williams (Steele, 46’), Green, Campbell, Tabor (Watkiss, 80’), Parkes, Francis (Sesay, 74’), Stanley 

 

Magpies: van Stappershoef, Ragguette, Abbott (Onariase, 68’), Coley © (Cochrane, 85’), Johnson (Welch-Hayes, 81’), Nkrumah (Pendlebury, 81’), Mitchell-Lawson (Welch, 67’), Umerah, Achuba, Clerima, Odeniran 

 

Attendance: 726