Report: Maidenhead United 3-2 Eastleigh

Maidenhead put an end to their poor form in an entertaining fashion, as they beat Eastleigh 3-2 at York Road in front of 1316 fans. 

 

The first chance of the game fell to the hosts after 2 minutes, as Clerima met Keetch’s corner, but couldn’t direct his header on target. 

 

The Magpies kept up their impressive start, with Reece Smith dragging a shot wide after a nice passing move between the Maidenhead forwards. 

 

Just before the 10-minute mark, Maidenhead finally had something to show for their early pressure, as following a mixup in the box, the ball fell to Remy Clerima who placed his shot into the bottom right corner to give the Magpies the lead. 

 

Remy Clerima almost had a brace just minutes later, as his flick from Bradley Keetch’s corner bounced off the post before being cleared. 

 

However, Maidenhead wouldn’t have to wait long for another chance, as Nathaniel-George took the ball past a defender before being brought down in the penalty area. The winger stepped up to take the penalty and slotted it past McDonnell and into the bottom left corner. 

 

After a spell of no chances, Alan Devonshires' side finally had another, as Mitchell-Lawson found himself in space on the edge of the box, but his effort deflected kindly into the arms of Joe McDonnell. 

 

Just before halftime, the visitors finally had their first chance of the game, as Atangana's attempt from long distance was tipped wide by a fully stretched Craig Ross. 

 

HALF TIME - Maidenhead United 2 - 0 Eastleigh 

 

Craig Ross was called into action early in the second half, as Chris Maguire's curling effort was pushed behind for a corner by the Magpies captain. 

 

The visitors would get a goal back 10 minutes after the break, as Scott Quigley headed home from an Aiden Barlow cross. 

 

Just after the hour mark, Maidenhead had a great chance to retake their 2-goal lead, as Reece Smith ran down the right wing before cutting the ball back to Zimba, but the Eastleigh defender got back well to poke it behind for a corner. 

 

Zimba would have another golden chance straight after, as he was played through one–on–one with the goalkeeper, but McDonnell did well to save with his feet and deny the striker. 

 

Maidenhead eventually retook their 2-goal advantage with 10 minutes remaining, as a free kick found Reece Smith at the back post, who cut onto his right foot and smashed his shot low off the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. 

 

Eastleigh would grab a goal back late on, as a goalmouth scramble fell to Scott Quigley, who fired it into the top left corner to double his tally. 

 

FULL TIME - Maidenhead United 3 - 2 Eastleigh 

 

Maidenhead United - Craig Ross, Sam Beckwith (Kinsella 85’), Will De Havilland, James Golding, Ashley Nathaniel-George (Massey 77’), Jayden Mitchell-Lawson (Asare 61’), Bradley Keetch, Casey Pettit, Reece Smith, Remy Clerima, Chanka Zimba 

 

Eastleigh - Joe McDonnell, Ludwig Francillette, Jake Taylor, Enzio Boldewijn, George Langston, Chris Maguire, Bailey Clements, Corey Panter (Barlow 29’), Scott Quigley, Oscar Rutherford (Dotse 73’), Jayden Harris (Atangana 26’)