Report: Maidenhead United 0-2 Eastleigh

Maidenhead United suffered a 2-0 defeat to Eastleigh on the opening day of the Vanarama National League season, an own goal from Will de Havilland and a stunning free-kick from Jake Vokins secured the Spitfires all three points. 

 

Eastleigh got the ball rolling for the Magpies opening game of the 2024/25 campaign and an early chance fell the way of the visitors. Scott Quigley broke down the left wing, he found Tyrese Shade at the back post, but his finish did little to challenge Craig Ross and the attack fizzled out. 

 

With 11 minutes on the clock, United had the ball in the net only for Jamie O’Connor’s whistle to rule out an ideal start to the season. Ruben Carvalho headed Jayden Mitchell-Lawson’s cross towards goal but too much pressure from Tristan Abrahams on ‘keeper Joe McDonnell meant the goal was chalked off. 

 

Last season’s Vanarama National League top scorer Paul McCallum had a chance to open the scoring for Eastleigh and his account for this campaign. However, after two swings at the ball, his eventual shot was dragged wide of the near post. 

 

Just past the half-hour mark Eastleigh took the lead, Jake Vokins dangerous free-kick was diverted into the net by defender Will de Havilland – despite Ross’s best efforts he was unable to stop the ball squirming across the line. 

 

Within a minute United had a good chance to equalise, Mitchell-Lawson flashed a cross along the six-yard line, but Abrahams couldn’t quite open his body up to divert it goalwards. 

 

Just seven minutes after the opener, Eastleigh grabbed a second through Vokins. His dangerous free-kick was whipped towards the back post and with no-one getting a touch it bounced straight into the net. 

 

Maidenhead had a chance to half the deficit just before the break as Will de Havilland met Carvalho’s free-kick, but his headed effort landed just past the post. 

 

 

A cagey start to the second half saw no real openings up as the hour mark approached, some glimpses of quality in wide areas but no clear-cut chances created for either side. 

 

With no real action coming from the players, the officials provided some much-needed entertainment for the fans as referee Jamie O’Connor went down injured and had to be replaced by fourth official Ryan Head. 

 

A little bit of Reece Smith magic nearly created an opening for United, he weaved in and out of three defenders before finding Tristan Abrahams who was unable to get his shot on target. 

 

A couple of yellow cards for both teams and an injury to the referee left us with a fair chunk of additional time on top of the 90 already played. 

 

 

An unfortunate opening to the season means Maidenhead will be looking to put things right against Solihull Moors on Saturday 17th at The ARMCO Arena. 

 

Maidenhead United: Craig Ross ©, Zac Bell, Tyrese Dyce, Will de Havilland, Kevin Lokko, Ruben Carvalho (McCoulsky 57’), Nathan Ferguson (Keetch 89’), Jayden Mitchell-Lawson, Casey Pettit (Johnson 89’), Reece Smith, Tristan Abrahams 

 

Eastleigh: Joe McDonnell, Richard Brindley (Sotona 57’), Jake Vokins (Semenyo 57’), Lloyd Humphries, Ludwig Francilette, Jake Taylor ©, Tyrese Shade (Waruih 83’), Soloman Nwabuokei, Corey Panter, Scott Quigley (Maguire 68’)