Maidenhead United v Boston United - Matchday Programme
MONDAY 5TH MAY 2025
3:00PM
Match Sponsor:
PRESIDENT: Rob West
CHAIRMAN: Peter Griffin
SENIOR LIFE VICE PRESIDENT: Dave Jones
VICE CHAIR: Bob Hussey
LIFE VICE PRESIDENTS: Kenneth Chandler, Graham Alfred, Jean & Roger Coombs, Richie Goddard, Dave Harrison, Pat McDonald, Mark Smith, Jon Swan & Jon Urry
DIRECTORS & TRUSTEES: Una Loughrey, Steve Jinman, Mark Stewart, Sian Lancaster CEO: Jon Adams
GROUNDSMAN/KIT: Jason Stewart
CLUB SECRETARY: Neil Maskell (secretary@maidenheadunitedfc.org)
COMMERCIAL: Sian Lancaster (sian@maidenheadunitedfcorg), Helen Park (helen@maidenheadunitedfcorg)
MARKETING AND MEDIA MANAGER: Shay Bottomley (shay@maidenheadunitedfc.org)
COMMUNITY TRUST MANAGER: Helen Preedy (helen.preedy@maidenheadunitedfc.org)
MAIDENHEAD UNITED IN THE COMMUNITY: Mark Nisbet (marknisbet@maidenheadunitedfcorg)
The Club operates its commercial activities through Maidenhead United FC Ltd, York Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 1SF Company No: 05691046, VAT No: 442328173 The Club is a member of the Vanarama National League and is therefore subject to the league’s rules and regulations. The persons of significant control in the Club as defined in National League rule 213 are Peter Griffin and MUFC Ltd
DOING THE 92
92 is a number that, like 147 in snooker and 501 in darts, is inextricably linked to football.
Any supporter who regularly attends matches home and away will generally keep score of how many of the full set of clubs they have visited in the top four divisions This list will of course change with promotion and relegation as well as ground moves.
Personally, it was something I hoped to complete over the
course of a lifetime but without any urgency This was a fact reflected by my first visit being in 1982 and a running total reaching 57 when Maidenhead United played at Oxford United in the FA Cup 1st round in November 2023.
The reason for my relatively low total could be partially excused by the number of stadia like Oxford United's Manor Ground which had since been reduced to rubble thus I resolved to make a concerted effort to make some headway back towards that magic number.
I started slowly last season with only two visits, to Southampton and Walsall This season though I was given the impetus to regularly seek out new stadia by the unpleasant turn Maidenhead United away trips were taking. This was solely due to my experience off the pitch with stewarding ranging from overzealous to outright oppressive Thus, I now find myself with a healthy total of 75 and keen to complete the 92 in the next two seasons
The clubs I have visited span all four divisions and I am pleased to report that having last watched this much professional football 30 years ago, the game appears to be in rude health I didn't have a single negative experience, with every club having something to offer, the real difference between the four levels only being the quality of the football.
The biggest improvement has been in marketing, specifically ticketing Every club allows you to select your own seat, with the resulting ticket saved to your online wallet securing a smooth access to the ground. Best value was offered by Southampton, Burton and Bradford who all offered entry for £20. The first is an example of a newly built stadium which provided a perfect view of the action but lacked character just like Hull and Wigan Colchester, Leicester and Northampton on the other hand already felt in need of renovation
Occasionally the approach to the stadium was a highlight in itself. A night match at Lincoln offered a spectacular backdrop of the cathedral as you walked along Sincil Bank (pictured) whilst the way the Oakwell floodlight pylons came into view followed by the ground below as you reached the crest of the hill walking out of town was stunning. In contrast the odd sight of the cars on the M42 appearing to drive across the roof of the away end at Walsall was something of a distraction from the match as I sat in the towering new home stand behind the goal
The Bescot stadium provided the best facilities for ordinary spectators with a comfortable lounge to look over the pitch whilst you ate your Balti pie Speaking of food, although much of it lived down to expectations, special mention should be made for Crewe's local ale and pie offer, with the best pies on sale at Fleetwood. Naturally the Bristol Rovers pasty was top notch whilst credit is due to Burton for offering a local delicacy of faggots and peas As kick off approached most clubs would attempt to get an atmosphere going The best all round for film, music and flags was at Derby with credit to Newport for their film and Peterborough for continuing to play “Posh we are”.
Finally, the football was entertaining in line with the level of the club Top of the list was Leicester beating QPR 6-2 in the Cup, whilst Southampton's 4-0 thrashing of Sheffield Wednesday presaged their successful promotion push Best game to watch as a neutral was Rotherham United's topsy turvy last minute win by the odd goal in five at Bristol Rovers. Worst was a dire game at Newport, with their 1-0 win against Barrow courtesy of an own goal with a cast replete with National League players I saw three other League 2 games this season, with the title chasing team in each match drawing a blank. One of these at Fleetwood was goalless, opponents Wimbledon giving the evening a real non-league feel. My favourite day all round was at Blackburn, thanks mainly to its well-appointed stadium set in the suburb of Ewood, where I witnessed an enjoyable 2-1 win for Rovers over Plymouth Argyle
In summary, in the Kiplingesque spirit of ‘what do they know of Maidenhead United who only Maidenhead United know’ I would highly recommend a trip to a higher level match of choice Shorn of partisanship you can appreciate the game as a neutral, the narrative typically developing after 20 minutes or so, in the company of friendly locals who as in the words of the Bradford season ticket holder behind me have been “coming down here for years and seen a lot of s***”.
By Steve Jinman
ON THE ROAD
Maidenhead took their survival battle to the final day of the season with victory at relegated Ebbsfleet.
The Magpies might have been relegated whatever the result and while Dagenham & Redbridge did them no favours by thrashing Altrincham 6-1 at home, Southend’s 3-0 home win over Wealdstone means they go into the final day with hope they can still stay up
This was a game Maidenhead could easily have lost, as the hosts started brightly. Ebbsfleet gradually got on top as the first half wore on. Toby Edser flashed a shot over the bar in the 33rd minute and Luke O’Neill’s stopping header from a corner in the 38th minute bounced back off the inside of the post Maidenhead needed to show more craft and guile in the second half and they managed to.
In the 50th minute, Brendan Kiernan latched on to a flick on and slipped a perfectly weighted pass through for Shawn McCoulsky, who took the shot on first time and rifled into the bottom corner of Mark Cousins’ net Maidenhead’s on loan ‘keeper Sam Howes pulled off an outstanding save to push George Moncur’s goal bound effort onto the bar and it proved to be a defining moment.
Seconds later, McCoulsky advanced into the area and had the composure to pick out Kiernan, who fired into the back of the net with aid of a deflection in the 59th minute. Although Fleet carried a threat – with Aaron Cosgrove firing over in the 68th minute – they were largely held at arm’s length.
Maidenhead might have added to their lead late on, but Cousins pulled off two stunning saves to deny substitutes Joshua Johnson and Tristan Abrahams. So, United’s survival battle goes to the final day. They’ll need to beat Boston – now safe – and hope Solihull Moors do them a favour by beating Dagenham and Wealdstone fail to beat Halifax
After the game Alan Devonshire said: “We had everything to lose today. But we did a job and I’m pleased for the boys. All we can do is what we’ve done. It’s just disappointing we haven’t managed to win our last two games when we felt we should have But that’s football”
Full-time: Ebbsfleet 0-2 Magpies
ON THE ROAD
It was just the solitary point on the road for Maidenhead United as Kallum Cesay's goal from close range cancelled out Brendan Kiernan's fourth minute opener.
Alan Devonshire made one change to the side which drew against Woking on Good Friday, with Joshua Johnson replacing Nathan Ferguson The bench, aside from the aforementioned swap in midfield, remained
unchanged Both teams required a win to maximise their chances of survival in the National League, but the travelling faithful were the more joyous throughout much of the first half thanks to Kiernan's early goal. Receiving Kane Ferdinand's delivery like a long-awaited parcel from the postman, the midfielder tapped home underneath Dante Baptiste from six yards out
United dominated much of the first half-hour, bar a brief interlude for Alex Reid's strike well over the crossbar in the 16th minute. Shawn McCoulsky's intercepted run fell to Reece Smith, who perhaps should have scored in a one-on-one with Baptiste Ten minutes later, Smith tried to return the favour to the #9, but his pass was intercepted by Deonysus Woodman
Despite a dominant start, lacklustre defending led to an equaliser for the Stones. A long looping ball over the box landed at the feet of Will Randall, who passed to Connor McAvoy A more accurate delivery followed, with Cesay bundling into the roof of the net five minutes before half-time.
Half-time: Wealdstone 1-1 Magpies
The second half was one you'd expect from two teams in a relegation battle: tense, gritty, and a lack of quality at times. United were unable to re-establish their first half dominance, with loanee 'keeper Sam Howes forced into an important save on the hour mark to deny Enzio Boldewijn's deflected effort
The Magpies have struggled with set pieces throughout the season and attacking them proved to be problematic for much of the second half. Corners soon led to counterattacks on occasion, while free kicks struggled to find their intended target.
At the other end of the pitch, Howes superbly defended the United goal, preventing Boldewijn's pass from reaching its intended target in the 66th minute. Oldham loanee Reid was also dangerous in the penalty area, with his flamboyant bicycle kick flying wide of the post on the cusp of stoppage time
There would be little further to report as an extremely open affair came to an end, and both sides would have to settle for a point as the sun emerged in North West London.
Full-time: Wealdstone 1-1 Magpies
MEET THE OPPOSITION
Founder members of the Alliance Premier League (now known as the Vanarama National League) in 1979, Boston United’s efforts in maintaining their place in the division this season have been nothing short of remarkable. They come into today’s game having guaranteed their status in their final home match of the season last time out when they defeated play-off chasing Gateshead 2-1 A reverse by the same scoreline at the same venue against Eastleigh on 22nd February had seen Boston 10 points adrift of safety with only sixteen matches to play
Since then, the Pilgrims progress has been boosted by a remarkable 10 wins and 2 draws from 15 games, making them the in-form team in the division That statussecuring victory last Saturday afternoon saw Keaton Ward, making his 100th appearance for the Pilgrims, fire them into the lead after 10 minutes. Luke Hannant levelled for play-off wannabes Gateshead just six minutes later but James Gale beat the visitors' offside trap and tucked away the winner in the 35th minute in front of 3,401 mainly delirious fans at The Jakemans Community Stadium
In the reverse fixture in Lincolnshire in September, Boston United – 2002 Nationwide Conference champions – became the 19th different former EFL club to come a cropper to the Magpies in a Vanarama National League fixture In front of 1,865 spectators, the hosts made the perfect start when Zak Mills curled in an excellent opener in the eighth minute But the lead lasted only 11 minutes before Jayden Mitchell-Lawson’s cross from the right was hooked in by Shawn McCoulsky. Mitchell-Lawson then saw Aidan Stone produce a brilliant save to tip his shot onto the crossbar, but Maidenhead took the lead with 20 minutes left through another fine strike from Reece Smith to give the Magpies consecutive victories following midweek home success over Ebbsfleet United.
That result now seems a lifetime away and it will be a sold-out contingent of Pilgrims fans who will enjoy a relaxed, stress-free afternoon today whilst Magpies
50-year-old Irishman Coughlan began his career in his native Ireland withBray Wanderers, before being signed byBlackburn Rovers. He joinedLivingstonin 1999 and subsequently Plymouth Argyletwo years later, becoming a member of the Argyle squad that won twoFootball Leaguedivisional championships between 2002 and 2004 Coughlan joinedSheffield Wednesdayin 2005, and subsequently played forRotherham United, Shrewsbury Townand Southend United.
Coughlan became manager of Bristol Rovers in December 2018 before he was persuaded to take up a similar role at Mansfield Town twelve months later
On 20th October 2020 he was relieved of his duties at Field Mill and was later appointed to the top job at Newport County, where he enjoyed a memorable FA Cup run last season He left his role at the end of 2023/24 and on 19th November 2024 was appointed manager ofa Boston side sitting in 23rd position at the time of his appointment, seven points from safety.
THREE TO WATCH
Jacob Hazel joined the Pilgrims for an undisclosed fee from National League North rivals Darlington in November 2023 He quickly went on to become a firm fans' favourite as the Pilgrims ultimately prevailed through the play-offs to earn promotion to the National League. Hazel sustained a broken foot in February 2024, but returned for the run-in and scored penalties in play-off shootouts against Alfreton Town and Scunthorpe United
Dylan Hill, previously with Northampton Town, briefly linked up with the Pilgrims' new under-23s squad in the summer of 2023 before soon establishing himself as a mainstay of the squad which went on to earn promotion in the play-off final at Brackley Town in May 2024 Hill, capable of playing in either full-back position or across midfield, signed a new two-year deal in the summer of 2024.
Zak Mills captained the Pilgrims to safety last time out against Gateshead Mills made a homecoming in August 2022 - six years after leaving Boston to embark on a career in the EFL He spent time with Grimsby Town, Morecambe, Port Vale, Oldham Athletic and Walsall. Mills scored the opener for the Pilgrims in the reverse fixture between our clubs in September with a delightful right footed finish
The Gaffer – Graham Coughlan
LAST TIME OUT
It was a point apiece at York Road for Maidenhead United as a two-goal lead was cut back by Woking in a matter of minutes, writes Cosmo O’Connor
There were two changes for Alan Devonshire’s Magpies as Nathan Ferguson replaced Joshua Johnson in the midfield three, while Miles Welch-Hayes started in defence in place of Manny Onariase. Sam Howes started his third successive game with Craig Ross still not available.
Woking had made no changes from their home win against AFC Fylde last weekend with the ever-dangerous Dale Gorman starting again in the middle of the park The Cards started the game with high pressure on the Magpies’ back line, and it wasn’t long before an excellent Gorman cross found Lewis Walker, but he headed just wide of the right post
Maidenhead United responded with much more intensity than how they started the game, winning three successive corners. However, Nathan Ferguson’s balls into the box were never met by a header from a black and white shirt.
The Magpies were rewarded for their attacking efforts in the 25th minute when Reece Smith’s perfectly placed pass put the ball in the feet of Brendan Kiernan who slotted the ball into the bottom left
The away side fought hard for an equaliser as the first half neared its completion, but neither Lewis Walker and Inih Effiong weren’t able to get any shots away against a strong Sam Howes. Effiong was played through on goal by O’Brien in the 45th minute but the linesman’s flag was raised as the striker put the ball wide.
The hosts started the second half on the attack and in the 60th minute, Ferguson’s corner was met by Welch-Hayes on the far side of the box who headed back across goal and into the net to make it 2-0 But it was heartbreak for the Magpies as their vital lead was quickly lost within a matter of minutes Lewis Walker headed into the top left in the 62nd minute before O’Brien levelled the game in the 66th, both assisted by Dale Gorman
Pressure from Woking continued through substitute Osude on the right wing who made life difficult for the Maidenhead back line. Effiong almost put the Cards into the lead in the 76th minute when he headed wide from just yards out. The game heated up even more in the last 10 minutes with the Magpies desperate to regain their lead, but every attempt was stopped by Woking Their best chance was a scrap in the box which was cleared by the away side
With five minutes added at the end of the game, Maidenhead had to throw everyone forward for a 40-yard Sam Barratt free-kick, their last chance to win the game. Knocked away by the defence, the ball was headed back in by Abrahams to Welch-Hayes on the line who thought he’d won the game, but the linesman’s flag was raised.
Full-time: Magpies 2-2 Woking
LEAGUE TABLE
ON THIS DAY
Ten years ago, today Alan Devonshire’s return to York Road was confirmed, a day after Johnson ‘Drax’ Hippolyte bowed out following a convincing 4-0 win over Aylesbury United at Chesham to lift the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup Whatever the outcome for this season Dev’s second spell in charge of the Magpies has seen the club not only reach the pinnacle of non-league football but stay there for an amazing eight seasons, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Wrexham, Chesterfield and Notts County.
May 5th was also the day Devonshire marked the end of his first spell at York Road in 2003 with a 4-1 Berks & Bucks Cup Final win over you guessed it, Aylesbury United at Chesham! Despite injuries to key midfielders Maidenhead romped into a 3-0 lead in a totally one-sided first half. Lawrence Yaku started the rout in the eighth minute steering home a loose ball after Aylesbury keeper Lee Worgan’s clearance ricocheted off a defender. Four minutes later it was two, Yaku’s through ball to Adrian Allen saw the striker ease through the opponent’s defence before placing the ball into the far corner of the net The Magpies continued to dominate proceedings, the third goal eventually came on the half-hour, Yaku beat the Ducks’ offside trap to race away and place the ball past Worgan Yaku squandered three good chances early in the second half but would complete his hat trick in the 67th minute converting a pass from Allen. Adam Campbell netted a consolation for the Ducks from a contentious penalty kick, but this would not spoil a brilliant day and a fitting end to Dev’s highly successful first period at York Road.
Another memorable occasion occurred today in 2007 with a 1-0 Southern League play-off final victory over Team Bath. The match, played at Bath City’s Twerton Park Stadium saw the Magpies struggle in the first half, however 50 seconds after the restart Errol Telemaque gave United the lead; Mark Nisbet threaded a ball from the right into the path of Telemaque who fired his shot past keeper Darren Chitty. United looked a different team after the break, Darti Brown and Bobby Behzadi ’s energy in midfield coupled with a solid defensive performance saw Maidenhead triumph 1-0 and return to the Conference South after an absence of just one season
By Maurice Cann
MANAGER: Alan Devonshire
HARVEY COLLINS (GK) 1
TYRESE DYCE 3
WILL DE HAVILLAND 4
KEVIN LOKKO 5
THIERRY LATTY-FAIRWEATHER 6
RUBEN CARVALHO 7
NATHAN FERGUSON 8
SHAWN McCOULSKY 9
KANE FERDINAND 10
JAYDEN MITCHELL-LAWSON 11
BRADLEY KEETCH 12
CRAIG ROSS (GK) 13
TOBI SHO-SILVA 14
JOSHUA JOHNSON 15
CASEY PETTIT 16
REECE SMITH 17
CHRISTIAN JOHNSON 18
OWEN COCHRANE 19
REMY CLERIMA 20
BRENDAN KIERNAN 21
MILES WELCH-HAYES 22
TRISTAN ABRAHAMS 23
ALAN MASSEY 24
SAM BARRATT 25
CHRIS WREH 26
JAMIE DAVIES 27
JOSHUA McMENEMY 28
JADYN DUNDAS 29
MANNY ONARIASE 30
RICKY KORBOA 31
JOSEPH AJOSE 32
NOAH STEWART 33
SAM HOWES 34
MANAGER: Graham Coughlan
1 Cameron Gregory (GK)
2 Kieran Coates 3 Cameron Green 4 Mitch Roberts 5 Michael Bostwick 6 Tom Leak 7 Keaton Ward 9 Jacob Hazel 10 Adam Marriott
