By Michael Murphy
A brutal response to Saturday’s defeat against Weston-super-Mare saw Maidenhead United return to the playoff places in 3-0 win over Bath City.
United, with four changes to the starting XI, made a bright and positive start, just what Ryan Peters would have demanded following the disappointing defeat three days prior. It was a huge game for both sides, with plenty to play for at both ends of the table.
Maidenhead’s superb start continued as they piled pressure on the Bath City defence. A flurry of corners caused immediate problems, leading to a goal-line clearance and a disallowed effort after Remy Clerima was seen to have fouled his man when he thought he had headed home an early opener.
The Magpies continued to knock on the door. A brilliant curling cross from Owen Cochrane towards the back post was met by Asher Yearwood, who did well to beat his marker in the air and direct a header towards Josh Umerah, but his two efforts were denied by the bodies of the Bath defence.
There was a noticeable difference from Saturday’s first-half performance, with Maidenhead playing with far more confidence in possession. Both full-backs found joy down the flanks, delivering crosses with time and space, which is a contrast to the weekend, as they struggled to retain the ball and lacked direction in attack. The improvement perhaps reflected reinforcements to the starting eleven or the differing quality of opposition.
The opening goal eventually arrived, and it came as little surprise. Another dangerous corner from Cochrane was met by Clerima, whose knockdown fell kindly to the in-form Josh Popoola on the edge of the box. He fired home his tenth goal of the season, rewarding Maidenhead’s early dominance. It had felt like a matter of when, not if.
Bath City began to grow into the game after conceding, aided by a couple of avoidable mistakes from Ryan Bartley in the Maidenhead defence. The visitors showed that when they settled into possession, they could pose a threat, something their travelling supporters responded to vocally.
Maidenhead, however, continued to create chances. Another full-flow sequence down the left saw Cochrane cut inside onto his right foot and deliver once again. This time, Robinson saw a powerful effort from 18 yards well saved by Charlie Binns after the ball dropped kindly for him on the edge of the box.
The Magpies doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time. Umerah converted confidently from the penalty spot for his twelfth goal of the season after Jayden Mitchell-Lawson was brought down in the box. The move stemmed from a long ball forward by Robinson, which found Yearwood down the right-hand side, who showed great strength and skill to retain possession before cleverly back-heeling into the path of the overlapping run of Mitchell-Lawson, who was fouled from behind.
It was the perfect time for Maidenhead to extend their advantage.
Bath nearly responded immediately in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Jordi van Stappershoef was called into action for the first time and was required to make a fingertip save from a fine effort by Jaiden Putman on the edge of the Maidenhead box, showing the Maidenhead defence what he can do if you give him the time and space.
Half-time: Magpies 2-0 Bath
Maidenhead began the second half as they had ended the first. Within seconds, Yearwood was brought down in the area, but the referee instantly waved away the penalty appeals.
Maidenhead had surely clinched all three points when local forward Alfie Pendlebury headed home his first goal for the club but the third of the night as he rose highest from the near post after a superb inswinging corner from Owen Cochrane. His delivery, with lots of pace, enabled Pendlebury to just ensure he connected slightly, and the power of the header was too much for Charlie Binns to react in the Bath City net.
Pendlebury nearly doubled his tally shortly after, coming inches away from connecting with a dangerous curling cross from Jordon Ragguette down the left-hand side.
From there, Maidenhead controlled the rest of the match and saw the game out comfortably. It proved to be a professional and workmanlike performance, securing an important 3-0 victory.
The result marked a significant response to Saturday’s defeat and strengthened Maidenhead’s push for the play-off places, while also boosting their goal difference with another home clean sheet.
On the other hand, the defeat for Bath City left them with a lot to do if they were to have a chance of pulling off a great escape out of the bottom four with just six games remaining.
Full-time: Magpies 3-0 Bath
Magpies: Jordi van Stappershoef, de Havilland, Bartley, Cochrane, Mitchell-Lawson (Ragguette, 57’), Robinson (Odelusi, 70’), Umerah (Pendlebury, 65’), Clerima (Pritchard, 74’), Popoola (May-Parrott, 76’), Onariase, Yearwood
Bath: Binns, Greenslade, Tomlinson (Alexander-Walker, 68’), Parselle, Sheppard, Alves, Windsor, Fisher (Wilson, 12’), Putman, Wilson (Sweeten, 76’), Laqeretabua
Attendance: 958
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