Report: Umerah Shot Puts Magpies Back in Playoffs

 

Maidenhead United earned a point on the road as a late Josh Umerah penalty cancelled out Jack Barham's second half strike. 

 

Ryan Peters made no changes to the starting XI which beat Hampton on Easter Monday. Although he received a red card five days prior, Manny Onariase was eligible due to the his suspension not taking effect until Monday. 

 

The Magpies were the better side throughout the first half, and arguably should have led after several missed opportunities. That said, Chelmsford came closest initially, with Kane Critchlow's strike from a corner poked wide by the United defence. 

 

Maidenhead worked the ball up the pitch well, and Jayden Mitchell-Lawson almost found Umerah with Owen Cochrane picking up the loose ball. The wingback fired a strike which was saved by Noah Phillips. 

 

Moments later, the Magpies again peppered the Chelmsford goal, with Josh Popoola finding Matt Robinson. A promising effort was blocked before the Clarets cleared once more. 

 

For the hosts, Critchlow continued to threaten, with Mitchell-Lawson this time preventing the striker from a near-certain opportunity. 

 

United really came into their stride with 15 minutes to go in the first half. Remy Clerima, resolute once again, ran from the halfway line and fired just wide. Shortly afterwards, Umerah saw the Magpies' best chance of the half saved when he collected a poor clearance. Anywhere else, and it was in, but Phillips was in the right place at the right time to parry away. 

 

 

It was a sluggish return from the break for both sides, with neither 'keeper really threatened in the first half of the second 45. Umerah and Manny Onariase both went for a header on the 65th minute mark, which ultimately meant neither were able to connect cleanly. 

 

Both sides made changes with 20 to go, and the Clarets' were the first to benefit from their tactical alterations. Shortly after Will de Havilland blocked Jason Adigun's strike from the edge of the penalty area, the hosts took the lead by capitalising on a midfield misplaced pass. Jack Barham easily headed home the subsequent cross, leaving United to seek an equaliser with a quarter of an hour to go. 

 

Ryan Bartley had a decent chance as Umerah played the defender through after a looping ball, but his strike was aimed straight at Phillips. 

 

The Magpies earned a point with a late penalty after substitute Dillon De Silva's effort was clearly handled two minutes before time. Umerah stepped up and, for the second week running, sent the 'keeper the wrong way to equalise. 

 

A remarkable headed block from Popoola - forced after Anthony Papadopoulos struck towards the top corner - ensured the Magpies would leave Essex with an important point. 

 

 

Chelmsford: Phillips, Barbrook, Grimwood, Odusanya, Crichlow (Barham, 73'), Tompkins, Tamplin (Lapslie, 87'), Adigun (Papadopoulos, 78'), Taylor, Egbo, Abrahams (Murphy, 66') 

 

Magpies: van Stappershoef, Bartley, de Havilland, Yearwood (Odelusi, 90'), Mitchell-Lawson (Pendlebury, 85'), Robinson, Umerah, Cochrane (De Silva, 70'), Clerima, Popoola, Onariase 

 

Attendance: TBC