COMMUNITY TRUST MANAGER: Helen Preedy (helenpreedy@maidenheadunitedfcorg)
MAIDENHEAD UNITED IN THE COMMUNITY: Mark Nisbet
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
Congratulations are due to club captain Alan Massey whose 383rd start in MUFC colours moved him up to outright fourth place in the MUFC all-time club first team appearances list on Saturday at Forest Green 36year-old Massey joined manager Alan Devonshire
CLUB NEWS
in moving from tonight’s opponents, Braintree Town, to York Road in May 2015. When not at his day job as a tree surgeon, Massey has and continues to be a commanding centre back who was at Cressing Road for almost three seasons, making over 100 appearances having also played for Wealdstone after starting out at Wycombe Wanderers. Massey gained national fame when he gave the Magpies the lead live on BT Sport in the FA Cup 1st Round Replay against EFL side Port Vale in November 2015 - our first ever nationally televised fixture here at York Road.
Alan was our ever-present captain in the National League South title winning season of 2016/17, taking the armband from Mark Nisbet – himself in the MUFC ‘300 Club’ - at the end of that 2015/16 season and we will never forget him holding aloft an inflatable trophy after promotion was secured at Margate on the final day of ‘16/17 after the National League had bizarrely decided to send the silverware to Ebbsfleet instead!
He still has some way to go to catch fellow inspirational captain, the late, great Brian Pitts who racked up 544 starts and six substitute appearances between 1960 and 1971. ‘Mass’ is also some distance behind Brian in terms of goals scored, Pitts having netted 68 times to Alan’s four! In second place is Bert Randall – Berkshire born, like Pitts - who made 531 starts between 1950 and 1964, winning three Corinthian League titles, two Corinthian League Memorial Shields and four Berks & Bucks County Cup medals Mick Chatterton in third place – who also served as player/manager of MUFC –made 451 starts between 1967 and 1981 and York Road regular Mick may well be here himself tonight to congratulate Massey on overtaking fifth place Derek Gee (382 starts, 1948-58).
Congratulations Alan and thanks for your continued service to MUFC!
RYAN PETERS
Welcome back to York Road tonight. A look at the league table says it all in terms of the importance of tonight’s game against one of my old clubs, Braintree Town It has been a frustrating ten days or so for us so we simply must get a positive outcome tonight
At Forest Green on Saturday, we felt we played very well in the first half having fallen behind to what we felt was not a legitimate goal as our player had been pushed If you put that incident to one side, we rolled our sleeves up, pressed really well and had chances to go and get an equaliser We came in at half-time ready to tell the boys that they had done well and that they should go out and produce again what they did in the first half. For fifteen minutes of the second half we did that but then we faded away
I was asked after the game the reasons for four changes to the team on the day and the simple answer is that with games continuing to come thick and fast, we wanted fresh faces and a fresh output and perhaps on reflection we could and should have mixed things up for the Yeovil game. I felt that there was an element of a lack of quality during Saturday’s game from us We got into some good areas but the final ball into the box, the final pass, our corners and free kicks were at best hit-and-miss as they have tended to be in recent games
This time last week we took on another promotion-chasing side York City. We took a fantastic York side to the 94th minute having stuck to our game plan really well We did feel, however, that York did not have to work hard for their goals and individual errors cost us. It was a great atmosphere again on the night and we thank our fans for that They gave the team a great ovation at the end, and we will need your support again tonight, loud as ever to give us a boost against a side we have defeated once already this season.
Tonight is the club’s latest Thinking Business event, and we thank Wilson Partners for sponsoring the event and all the firms who support us tonight and through sponsorship throughout the season I look forward to meeting you tonight when I come over for the usual pre-match Q&A. The support we get from our community, fans and businesses, is fantastic and you are all much valued
AROUND THE LEAGUE
In the battle for promotion, Barnet were brilliant again as they swatted Oldham Athletic aside 3-0 at Boundary Park The goals were scored by Zak Brunt, Callum Stead and Adebola Oluwo It was a good day for the top three clubs as Forest Green Rovers defeated the Magpies, whilst York City don’t plan on letting Barnet scamper off into the distance Ollie Pearce’s winner at Hartlepool United keeps them six points behind the Bees
At the other end, Harry Davies earned AFC Fylde what could be a valuable point at Gateshead. The live DAZN game ended 1-1. Tonight’s visitors boosted their chances of survival as Marley Marshall-Miranda's third-minute goal condemned Eastleigh to a first loss in five matches John Akinde's effort was blocked but the ball fell to Marshall-Miranda, whose first-time shot crashed in off the crossbar. Braintree finished the match with 10 men after Ryan Clampin was shown a second yellow card eight minutes from time Boston United gave themselves hope by winning 3-1 at Dagenham - Jacob Hazel scored again - whilst Tamworth inflicted a 3-2 home defeat on Ebbsfleet United who are adrift at the bottom Dan Creaney scored twice for the Lambs
Former Magpie James Golding’s late, late leveller kept Southend United’s tails up He scored deep into stoppage time to earn a 2-2 draw at Yeovil Town. The remainder of fixtures involving National League sides came in the Isuzu FA Trophy. Rivals Aldershot and Woking, who both find themselves in the hat for the last four, overcame lower-league opposition. The Shots rather more straight-forward victory came at Giant Killers Sittingbourne, whilst The Cards won through via a penalty shoot out at the RAW Charging Stadium after Inih Effiong scored an injury time equaliser to crush Oxford City.
In the other ties, Rochdale saw off local rivals Altrincham to advance to the semifinals after Tarryn Allarakhia added to an earlier goal by on loan Jay Bird at the Crown Oil Arena The shock of the round occurred at the VBS Community Stadium as Step 2 side Spennymoor upset Saturday’s York Road visitors Sutton United. Club legend Glen Taylor hit a brace – a goal in each half – as the Moors secured their place alongside three National League clubs in Monday’s draw The semi-finals will be a one-legged affair to be played on Saturday, 5th April with the Wembley final pencilled in for Saturday, 11th May
WOMEN’S TEAM
After a confidence boosting 3-0 win for the Magpies against Reading FC that booked them a spot in the county cup final, both Maidenhead and home side
Abingdon had reason for ambition going into United’s most recent FAWNL outing. However, despite the recent positive results for Maidenhead, their performance fell short as the hosts enforced a 2-0 defeat, writes Daisy Miners.
Debutant Magpie ‘keeper Kody
Cornish was required to make a save in the early minutes of game and the defensive line worked hard to keep the pressure at bay. The home side had plenty of
chances in the opening fifteen minutes of the game due to a dominant performance and intense physicality, but the Magpies came close to opening the scoring themselves as Simone O’Brien produced the sides first shot on target with a strong strike of the ball. To the disappointment of the visitors, a superb defensive header on behalf of Abingdon cleared the ball of the line and removed the threat of a goal It was Abingdon’s Molly Lygo who struck first to put her side 10 up in the 19th minute after going one on one with the defender and managing to drift the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net.
United tried to respond quicky as they grew into the game, but Abingdon were successfully holding the majority or the possession A free kick for Maidenhead taken by Katie Akerman led to a chance in the 25th minute after a one-on-one battle with the defender but the shot was blocked, and the score was unchanged. Chances were coming in flurry for the hosts as two shots were planted on the top of the net The hopes of the away team rose as Simone O’Brien created another moment of excitement when she struck the ball in what looked to be a chance to equalise, but the shot sailed just wide of goal 40 minutes into the first half Momentum quicky shifted in favour of Abingdon as Holly Seewood curled a left foot shot into the top corner.
Entering the last 45 minutes of the game with the wind behind the Magpies, they were looking to overcome the two-goal deficit Macey-Nikiah Walters created the next shot on target for Maidenhead with a good effort from outside the box that was caught by Abingdon ‘keeper Crierie. The Magpies struggled against the stamina of Abingdon as Molly Lygo attempted to claim her second of the match with a shot on target, but Cornish made another crucial save, extending a foot to deter the ball away from goal. With little time remaining, Abingdon registered one more shot in the dying minutes of the game with an ambitious attempt from 35 yards out after spotting the Magpies’ ‘keeper off the line. The lob bounced off the post, leaving the score at 2-0
ON THE ROAD
Maidenhead United suffered a third two-goal defeat on the spin in a tough afternoon away to Forest Green Rovers.
Alan Devonshire made four changes to the side which started and finished against York midweek. Thierry LattyFairweather returned to defence, while Nathan Ferguson, Sam Barratt, and Ricky Korboa entered the midfield
United had the first opportunity of the game with less than a minute on the clock. A long throw-in landed at the feet of Tristan Abrahams, but the sole striker was unable to connect as he’d like, allowing Rovers to clear the danger The hosts, unbeaten at home in the league all season, soon began to test the Maidenhead defence. Alan Massey, making his 383rd start for the club, made a brave block to deny Jamie Robson in the 2nd minute, before clearing the danger after a Craig Ross save less than 60 seconds later
It wouldn’t take long for the 3rd-placed side to open the scoring A set piece was only half-dealt with by the United defence, and a header across the goalmouth was latched onto by Emmanuel Osadebe. Despite pleas from United for a push, Osadebe’s goal was given and Rovers took the lead United played better following the goal, and the curled crosses of Abrahams proved troublesome for Fabian Mrozek A free kick in front of the 101 travelling Magpies was punched over by the Forest Green ‘keeper, and the #23 even struck the crossbar with a similar delivery just ten minutes before the interval. Ricky Korboa, making his first league start since Altrincham, also tested Mrozek on the stroke of half-time
Half-time: Forest Green
1-0 Magpies
It was a quiet start to the second half as the sun began to set in Gloucestershire. While Joe Quigley shot wide from the edge of the box, Maidenhead would have the better chance to score as a well-worked play allowed Nathan Ferguson to turn and shoot towards goal, although his effort was saved by Mrozek. A corner in the 64th minute evaded everyone, and inspired a woken Rovers to press for a second. Kyle McAllister forced Ross to get a foot to the ball, while an unmarked Robson shot wide less than a minute later
Fresh from the bench, Harry Cardwell secured the three points for Forest Green with a little under 20 minutes to play. Osadebe cut the ball back to the striker, who fired home past Ross to guarantee the three points A late cross by Miles WelchHayes threatened the possibility of clawing one back, but with no one on the receiving end, the ball trickled past everyone in the box and out to safety
Full-time: Forest Green 2-0 Magpies
MEET THE OPPOSITION
After being promoted to the fifth division last season, beating Worthing 4-3 after extra-time in the National League South Playoff Final, Braintree have been in a relegation scrap, fighting tooth and nail in order to keep their place in the league, writes Thomas Lloyd. So far, it seems that they have every chance of maintaining National League football for next season. Along the way they’ve experienced some damaging defeats, but also a few surprises triumphs
The first game of the season was a disappointing start with the Iron being thumped 3-0 at Oldham. They would lose again in their first home game against fellow newly-promoted side Yeovil Town. They finally achieved 3 points on their third attempt; Braintree forward Kyrell Jeremiah Lisbie netted a brace against Aldershot, including a late winner to prevail 2-1 Four straight draws would follow against Solihull Moors, Ebbsfleet United, Hartlepool and Woking.
Braintree would then suffer three consecutive loses to York City 2-1, Barnet 3-1 and Tamworth 1-0 due to a 93rd minute winner Late drama would come again only three days later when experienced striker Inih Effiong would score a penalty vs Halifax to give the Iron their second three-points of the season. However, they could not follow up this win when they lost to Rochdale by a single goal. Braintree would however prevail over Altrincham 2-0 with goals from Jermaine Francis and John Akinde
The Essex side then went through some poor form with another three consecutive loses in the league, 2-1 vs Forest Green Rovers, 3-2 vs Wealdstone and 1-0 vs Sutton United They exited the FA Cup in the First Round through penalty shootout defeat to Brackley Town Six points would follow, as Braintree achieved back-to-back victories against Eastleigh thanks to an own goal and against AFC Fylde through a single goal by Inih Effiong. A poor performance vs Boston United to lose 3-1 meant they couldn’t win three games in a row and The Magpies would then beat Braintree 3-1 on 26th November There were two early goals from Shawn McCoulsky and Tristan Abrahams Kyrell Lisbie would get a goal back for his side but a penalty from Sam Barrett put the game to bed
Braintree earned a point at home in a 2-2 draw with Gateshead. The Iron would then lose again to both Yeovil and Oldham 3-1 and 2-0 respectively They then faced local rivals Dagenham & Redbridge in a exciting 4-2 victory, with a brace from both Kyle Lisbie and Chay Cooper. However, their next fixture was another fixtures Southend United in a Essex derby, The Shrimpers left Cressing Road with a 1-0 win and a single point would follow in an away draw with Aldershot.
Two wins against both Solihull Moors and Ebbsfleet were crucial for survival
Altrincham then frustrated Braintree in beating them 3-1. A suprise win against Forest Green Rovers with goals from Lisbie and Blackwell was probably their biggest win of the season so far Unfortunately, frustration would follow as they would collapse against Wealdstone 2-1 Four points taken most recently from Sutton United and Eastleigh however puts Town in a strong position
The Gaffer – Steve Pitt
Pitt was appointed manager in December to replace Angelo Harrop, who was sacked as manager after a troubled start to the 2024/25 campaign having led The Iron to promotion last season Pitt previously worked at the club as Harrop's assistant. "I'm honoured and privileged to take on the role of first-team manager and will now look to build on the foundations that Angelo has already laid," Pitt said, following his appointment Harrop lost his job after a run of just five wins from 20 games this term, a tally that Pitt has now doubled
Former managers of The Iron include the likes of Rod Stringer and Brad Quinton, both of whom led the club to promotion to the National League in 2011 and 2018 respectively The Cowley brothers were also a great success at Cressing Road – taking the Iron to the National League play-offs in 2016 - having succeeded our own Alan Devonshire who had enjoyed a very successful spell in charge at Braintree between 2011 and 2015 before his triumphant return to York Road
THREE TO WATCH
Alan Judge is a former Republic of Ireland midfielder who has EFL Championship experience with Plymouth Argyle, Blackburn Rovers, Brentford and Ipswich Town Joining The Iron at the end of January from Woking, Judge won 9 Full Eire caps and scored for the ‘Boys in Green’ against the United States in a friendly in Dublin in 2018.
Jamal Fyfield is a 35-year-old defender who will need little introduction to longer-serving Magpies fans, having made 96 starts and been named as a substitute a further 21 times during three seasons with the club following his release by Luton Town. Subsequently played in the EFL with York City and joined Braintree following six successful seasons with Boreham Wood
Kyrell Lisbie, the son of former Charlton Athletic striker Kevin Lisbie, joined the newly-promoted National League club ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. The 21-year-old winger hit the headlines last November when he scored a penalty for non-league side Cray Valley Paper Mills in an FA Cup tie against his Dad’s old team and a national TV audience of millions
LAST TIME OUT
It was last-minute heartbreak for Maidenhead United last Tuesday night as two late goals denied the Magpies of a hard-fought point, writes Scott Hargreaves
The first chance under the floodlights fell to York as Jeff King’s overlapping run resulted in a dangerous cross but Stones’ finish lacked conviction With 10 minutes on the clock, United had their first attempt of meaning through Shawn McCoulsky A couple of ricochets in the area landed the ball in the number nine’s path, but Rory Watson did well to smother the danger A cagey affair went stale for 20 minutes with little to note until Reece Smith’s surging run drove United over the halfway line but after choosing to continue with the ball at his feet he was eventually dispossessed on the edge of the area.
Smith, now heavily involved in United’s attacking play, latched on to the end of Tristan Abrahams dinked cross but the finish of the outside of his foot floated just over the bar In the 42nd minute, the visitors took the lead through Ollie Pearce The league’s top scorer glanced in King’s corner to give them a slender advantage going into the break
Just four minutes into the second half, United had a great chance to draw level as Abrahams applied great pressure to Watson in the York goal, who was forced to fall onto the ball and concede an indirect free kick. After five minutes of deliberation, with the ball being moved multiple times, Abrahams eventually got to shoot but his effort was charged down by a wall of City defenders. On the hour mark, Maidenhead did draw level through the man in the thick of the action. A deep cross to the back post was nodded back into danger by Owen Cochrane, just for it to land perfectly on the foot of Abrahams to volley sumptuously into the bottom corner
York went close to retaking the lead as goal scorer Pearce slipped in Josh Stones, but the sliding challenge of Miles Welch-Hayes did enough to put him off and Stones missed the target The visitors were committing men forward and their four-man forward line all combined, with Stones playing Tyrese Sinclair through but a terrific hand from Craig Ross palmed the ball away from danger. With both teams searching for a winner, United were next to flash one just past the post. A switch of play by Johnson bounced off a couple of bodies before landing to McCoulsky on the edge of the six-yard box but he struck just wide on the swivel.
It was a ping pong match of chances as the game entered the closing stages A deep cross from Joe Felix was headed comfortably wide by Lennell John-Lewis who was completely free at the back post With no more than a minute left of added time, Ollie Pearce grabbed his second of the match slotting past Ross, who got fingertips to it As United pushed forward for a last-gasp equaliser, Josh Stones broke through United’s defence who had all pushed forward to make it 3-1 and secure all three points for York.
Full-time: Magpies 1-3 York City
THE ISTHMIAN BOYS
When asked for a contribution to mark the 25th anniversary of the Magpies' promotion to the Isthmian Premier Division, my thought was to chronicle what happened afterwards to some of the players involved, writes Matthew Foster So, here's Part One of an alphabetical roundup of those who made double-figure starts during that memorable campaign
Chuk Agudosi (99/00 stats: 45 starts, 25 goals) 75 goals in 152 starts made Chuk a real fans' favourite. As such, there was understandable
disappointment - not necessarily that he left York Road, more so that he moved to a club in the same division (rather than higher up) A bag of chocolate gold coins was memorably brandished by Murdo when we next visited the Croydon Sports Arena! Chuk subsequently played for Windsor & Eton He works as an independent estate agent in Tooting.
Michael Beaton (12)
Defender, born in 1978, signed for Dulwich Hamlet in March 2002 after making 23 starts for the Magpies
Steve Brown (16, 2)
In the season after promotion, fans' favourite 'Huggy' made the last of his 172 starts and scored the last of his 17 goals from midfield Can (or could) be spotted, as he once was by a jet-setting Murdo, working as a baggage handler at Heathrow
Lee Channell (27, 6)
Much and perhaps unfairly maligned (at least by me), 'Porno' bagged 19 goals in each of the two seasons following promotion - 48 in total for the Magpies from 124 starts - and later moved with Alan Devonshire to Hampton. He works as a cargo agent at Heathrow.
Brian Connor (57, 1)
Magpies Hall of Famer who should need no introduction Currently 7th in the alltime appearance list with 368 starts. Brian signed for Hampton in the summer of 2005 after his testimonial match at York Road and later rejoined Slough Town, his hometown club He debuted forAnguilla, aged 38, in a February 2008 World Cup qualification match againstEl Salvador
Tim Cook (55, 5)
Another Magpies Hall of Famer who should need no introduction. Currently 8th in the all-time appearance list with 367 starts 'Cookie' moved to Chesham United in February 2002 and was on the losing side against the Magpies in that year's County Cup Final at Adams Park Later played for and managed Marlow
Billy Cove (26, 10)
Early in the following season, after five starts and one goal, Billy was sold to Ford United and later played for Enfield Town I took a photo of him and Murdo during half-time of our game at East Thurrock United in November 2016 He has managed several non-league sides, most recently Basildon United.
LEAGUE TABLE
ON THIS DAY
Two years ago this evening the BT Sport cameras were in town for the visit of titlechasing Wrexham in a match which had a Hollywood ending, but not one that messrs Reynolds and McElhenney would have scripted. In fact, even with their Red Dragons now challenging for a place in the EFL Championship it seems unlikely that the celebrity owners of the North Wales side will ever forget the name Maidenhead United, the ground at which they first saw their team play – and lose –in the flesh the previous campaign
The away side were boosted earlier in the day by news that closest challengers Notts County had dropped points at Bromley. Maidenhead for their part had won three matches in a row as they sought to escape the lower-reaches of the National League table Dev’s men were unchanged whilst Phil Parkinson’s side had to replace their goalkeeper, with Mark Howard coming into the side.
The action – described by commentators Adam Summerton and Adam Virgo – was relentless and kept a season’s best crowd of 3,534 spectators glued to the game. Ryan Barnett sliced an early half chance wide for the visitors in front of a packed away end United’s top-scorer Emile Acquah spun and worked the replacement Wrexham ‘keeper but the away side took the lead just after the half hour mark. A dinked cross from Jacob Mendy on the left was deftly glanced into the corner of the net by the prolific Paul Mullin. The top-scorer with club sponsor ‘TikTok’ emblazoned on his shirt was then denied by the man with 5 million followers on the same social media platform, Magpies goalkeeper Alexis Andre Jr, before Mullin then pulled a firmly struck left footer just wide of the target.
Ten minutes into the second period and United were level with a quite splendid goal. Reece Smith received the ball square from Ashley Nathaniel-George, 20 yards from goal Allowing the ball to come onto his right foot, the former MUFC Academy graduate thrashed the ball into the far corner giving Howard no chance – “a rocket”, as Virgo enthused on commentary. Game on, and the promotion-chasers responded within 5 minutes A corner at the Canal End was floated to the far post where Mullin – suspended twice after red card offences in both games against United the previous season – had peeled away to the corner of the six-yard box to plant a quite brilliant precision header into the opposite corner of the net
It was nearly a hat-trick of headers from Mullin when he nodded against the bar inside the final five minutes, but Maidenhead would have the final say Inside the final minute of the ninety, Remy Clerima’s long ball from well inside his own half was chased gamely by substitute Shawn McCoulsky Hesitant Walton was caught in two minds, McCoulsky ultimately getting to the ball first to prod the ball into the net to send York Road wild.
MANAGER: Alan Devonshire
HARVEY COLLINS (GK) 1
ZAC BELL 2
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
MILES WELCH-HAYES 22
TRISTAN ABRAHAMS 23
ALAN MASSEY 24
SAM BARRATT 25
JAMIE DAVIES 27
JOSHUA McMENEMY 28
JADYN DUNDAS 29
MANNY ONARIASE 30
RICKY KORBOA 31
JOSEPH AJOSE 32
NOAH STEWART 33
MANAGER: Steve Pitt
1 Philip Haxthausen Nielsen (GK)
2 Louis Lomas
3 Ryan Clampin
4 George Langston
5 Louie Annesley
6 James Vennings
7 Tom Blackwell
8 Marley Marshall-Miranda 10 Alan Judge 11 Chay Cooper 12 Jamal Fyfield 13 Henry Gray (GK) 14 John Akinde
15 Emmanuel Okunowo 16 Kyrell Lisbie 18 Matt Robinson
20 Aidan Francis-Clarke 21 Jacob Pinnington 22 Jermaine Francis
