Report: Magpies Return to Winning Ways with Six in Succession

Maidenhead United hit Salisbury for six in a return to winning ways on a cold Tuesday evening in Wiltshire. 

 

Alan Devonshire named one change to the starting XI for his last away trip with the Magpies, with Josh Popoola replacing the injured Kai Yearn. 

 

Beyond a fitting tribute to United’s soon-to-be departing manager, there was little to report for the first 15 minutes. Both Matthew Briggs and Josh Hedges had shots blocked in the opening stages, while Matt Robinson’s effort from distance went over the bar. 

 

Before long, however, the Magpies scored their first, first half goal in over a month in the league. The two Joshes linked up well, with Umerah playing nicely to Popoola to strike low and left past William Buse. 

 

It may have been five games since United had obtained a 1-0 lead, but it took only five minutes for them to double it. Again exploiting Salisbury’s weaknesses down the left flank, Popoola drifted outwards before beating Ollie Morgan with a stepover. Having worked himself into position, all that was left to do was play a crafty pass to Liam Dulson to tap home and make it 2-0. 

 

The Whites, seeking to clawback a two-goal deficit, proposed much but offered little for much of the first half. Noah Coppin’s shot should have threatened Jordi van Stappershoef’s clean sheet, but landed well wide of its target – a story of the half for a Salisbury side who played some good football at times despite lacking clinical finishing. 

 

 

United start the second half with the same drive that they did the first, and once Umerah made it 3-0, it was clear there was only going to be one winner. A well-worked goal saw Owen Cochrane play down the line to Dulson, who in turn crossed from the edge of the area into Umerah to tap home the third. 

 

Will de Havilland added the fourth to the goal tally as Will de Havilland joined the scorers list. A poor clearance from the hosts allowed Popoola to pass across the face of goal, with the captain getting a small but crucial touch to beat the ‘keeper. 

 

Goal number five came once again as a result of poor defending, this time as The Whites failed to deal with a threatening cross. Popoola swivelled on the penalty spot, striking home into the bottom corner for United’s fifth of the evening. 

 

The biggest cheer of the night came as Noah Stewart scored his first league goal for the club. A clever through ball from the middle of the pitch saw the striker through on goal, and a cool, composed finish saw Stewart make it 6-0 for the Magpies. 

 

Alan Devonshire, therefore, ensured his last ever away trip with Maidenhead United was a successful one, something which was rightly acknowledged by the travelling support. 

 

 

Salisbury: Buse, Taylor, Briggs (Ngalo, 71’), Hedges (Grubb, 79’), Ogunleye, Davies, Keeya, Coppin, Revan, Lee (Bray, 52), Morgan 

 

Magpies: van Stappershoef, Ragguette (Bartley, 15’), de Havilland, Welch-Hayes, Robinson (Yearwood, 77’), Umerah (Barratt, 70’), Dulson (Stewart, 75’), Cochrane, Clerima, Popoola (Mitchell-Lawson, 77’), Onariase 

 

Attendance: 953