Report: Maidenhead United 2-2 Barnet

Alan Devonshire made two changes to the side that beat Eastleigh 3-2 on Easter Monday with Zico Asare and Shawn McCoulsky replacing Sam Barratt and Charlee Adams. 

 

The visitors started the better of the two sides with a long-ball over to Nicke Kabamba, the forward’s strike was well saved by Craig Ross. 

 

Kabamba continued to cause Maidenhead problems and won the ball high up the pitch, his shot on the turn skimmed past the post. 

 

Maidenhead took the lead in the tenth minute as Tristan Abrahams rounded Barnet keeper Josh Keeley. and eventually found Jayden Mitchell-Lawson who slotted into an empty net. 

 

Following the goal, Maidenhead had good spells of possession but neither side were able to create any chances. 

 

The next opportunity fell to the visitors through Callum Stead who weaved through the Maidenhead defence and forced a good save out of Ross. 

 

A good ball into the box from Sam Beckwith found Remy Clerima at the back post whose header went over the bar. 

 

Maidenhead had the ball in net a second time after Shawn McCoulsky tapped in an initial effort from Ashley Nathaniel-George but the linesman flagged for offside. 

 

Half-time: Maidenhead United 1-0 Barnet 

 

The Bees started the half brightly and a long ball over eventually fell to Stead who forced a good stop from Ross which was eventually cleared by Sam Beckwith. 

 

A fantastic delivery by substitute Reece Smith presented a great opportunity for McCoulsky, his header from the corner blazed over the bar. 

 

Maidenhead doubled their advantage through Smith in the 56th minute, it was some fantastic work from McCoulsky who ran into the box and squared for Smith who had a simple tap-in. 

 

Following the second goal, the visitors grew into the game with a few inviting balls into the box but failed to create any threatening chances. Anthony Hartigan came closest during their spell with an curling delivery which evaded everyone and skimmed past the post. 

 

Barnet continued to pile on the pressure and a corner from Gorman found Stead at the back post who slotted home and halved Maidenhead’s advantage. 

 

Kabamba had an opportunity to level the game for the visitors after spinning Kevin Lokko and striking at goal, he just dragged it wide. 

 

The visitors continued to control the game and had a number of corners, Maidenhead held strong and prevented any scoring opportunities. 

 

Kabamba once again had a chance to level the game but forced a good save from Ross. 

 

A brilliant break from Maidenhead landed at the feet of Mitchell-Lawson who had a golden chance to score a third for the Magpies, his drilled effort forced a great stop from Keeley. 

 

Barnet were awarded a penalty in the 91st minute after referee Aaron Jackson deemed the ball to come off the hand of a Maidenhead player, Kabamba converted the penalty. 

 

Full-time: Maidenhead United 2-2 Barnet 

 

Maidenhead United: Craig Ross ©, Zico Asare, Sam Beckwith, Will De Havilland, Kevin Lokko, Ashley Nathaniel-George (Reece Smith 45’), Shawn McCoulsky (Tobi Sho-Silva 90’), Jayden Mitchell-Lawson, Casey Pettit, Remy Clerima, Tristan Abrahams (Alan Massey 86’) 

 

Barnet: Josh Keeley, Reece Hall-Johnson, Ben Coker (Idris Kanu 64’), Danny Collinge, Jerome Okimo, Dale Gorman ©, Nicke Kabamba, Callum Stead, Anthony Hartigan, Adam Thompson, Zak Brunt (Harry Pritchard 64’)