Report: Maidenhead United 2-1 AFC Wimbledon
Posted on 31st July 2024
Scott Hargreaves reports on our sixth consecutive win of pre-season.
Maidenhead United earned a 2-1 victory over AFC Wimbledon on a sunny evening at York Road. Tyrese Dyce and Shawn McCoulsky were on the scoresheet, making it six wins in six for Alan Devonshire’s side.
United broke the deadlock with just six minutes played as Casey Pettit’s cross to the back post was glanced into the far corner by Tyrese Dyce.
Just minutes later, Tristan Abrahams broke through but was taken out by Wimbledon goalkeeper Lewis Ward, who was lucky to escape with just a yellow card as he rushed out the area.
With 20 minutes gone, Jayden Mitchell-Lawson called Ward into action again when his well-struck volley looked to be bouncing into the corner, but Ward was there to palm it round the post.
Wimbledon’s first real opening came from a corner shortly after a water break in the first half, but Joe Piggott’s near post header flew harmlessly over Craig Ross’ net.
As the first half fizzled towards half time, Myles Hippolyte tried to create a spark – jinking on the edge of the area to create some space, his eventual shot struck the foot of the post and bounced out of harms way.
HALF-TIME – Maidenhead United 1–0 AFC Wimbledon
The second half started cagey with a couple of substitutions changing the rhythm of the game. Mitchell-Lawson looked the liveliest for either side, linking up well with Pettit and Zac Bell down the Magpies right.
As we approached the hour mark, Kevin Lokko came close to doubling United’s lead, but he could not quite make enough contact on Pettit’s free-kick to trouble Ward.
The game then went flat for 10 minutes before substitute Shawn McCoulsky fired goalwards with a shot that Ward was equal to. But the ‘keeper’s parry only fell to McCoulsky again who slotted into an empty net to make it 2-0 Maidenhead.
Substitutes James Ball and Alistair Smith forced a reaction for the visitors when they combined to give them a route back into the game. Ball got to the touchline before drilling his cross back to the penalty spot for Smith to fire in.
As we approached the last 10 minutes of the game, two important pieces of defending from United’s centre backs prevented an equaliser. First, Will De Havilland slid in to prevent Omar Bugiel from breaking through, then Kevin Lokko cleared away a low cross that looked destine to find a Dons shirt.
Joseph Ajose tried to add to the scoring late on, but his audacious bicycle was blocked soon after it left his foot. The rebound fell to McCoulsky but again his shot was blocked keeping the score at 2-1.
FULL-TIME – Maidenhead United 2–1 AFC Wimbledon
The Magpies will travel to Farnborough on Saturday August 3rd as the round off their preseason fixtures in Hampshire.
Maidenhead United: Craig Ross ©, Zac Bell (Clerima 69'), Tyrese Dyce (Trialist A 66'), Will De Havilland, Kevin Lokko (Massey 80'), Nathan Ferguson, Jayden Mitchell-Lawson (Carvalho 59'), Casey Pettit (Dundas 90'), Reece Smith (Ajose 45'), Tristan Abrahams (McCoulsky 59'), Trialist B
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