Maidenhead United v Horsham - Matchday Programme

OFFICIAL MATCH PROGRAMME

VS HORSHAM MONDAY 25TH AUGUST 3:00PM

York Road, Berkshire, SL6 1SF Tel: 01628 636314 @MUFCYorkRoad www.maidenheadunitedfc.org

PRESIDENT: Rob West CHAIRMAN: Peter Griffin SENIOR LIFE VICE PRESIDENT: Dave Jones VICE CHAIR: Bob Hussey LIFE VICE PRESIDENTS: Ken 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@maidenheadunitedfc.org), Helen Park (helen@maidenheadunitedfc.org) 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 (mark.nisbet@maidenheadunitedfc.org) 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 2.13 are Peter Griffin and MUFC Ltd.

LAST TIME OUT It was a second draw in succession for Maidenhead United after the Magpies were unable to capitalise on two well-worked goals in the first half in a 2-2 draw at York Road against Hemel Hempstead.

The Magpies were unable to score in the 90 or so minutes against Enfield, but it took them a tenth of that time to find the net on Tuesday evening. Matt Robinson played it to Josh Popoola on the right flank, with the winger easily squaring it to Liam Dulson to tap home his first competitive goal in a black and white shirt.

United’s lead didn’t last long, however, with Hemel Hempstead taking only three minutes to equalise. This time, Dulson failed to connect with a headed clearance from a Tudors’ free kick, which permitted Joe White to poke home from a yard out.

United were playing tidy football, and their patience was rewarded towards the second half. Robinson once again set up the play, this time with a beautiful overhead pass. Dulson collected, passing down the wing to Popoola. Asher Yearwood collected, passing to Ferdinand who looped it back over his teammate, and the resulting cross found Umerah who hammered home.

The Magpies looked to enter the dressing room ahead at the break. However, just moments before the whistle, the Tudors won a penalty as Popoola was accused of bringing his man down in the box. White stepped up, and the swaying arms of Jordi van Stappershoef failed to put the striker off as he struck the ball into the bottom left.

United responded by piling on the pressure in the second half, and earned several set pieces for their tenacity. The first, from a crossing position, amounted to nothing, but the second, just past the hour mark, saw Yearwood force Michael Johnson into an excellent fingertipped save.

Dulson also threatened Johnson moments later. Collecting the ball in the final third, Dulson fired towards goal and forced another save from the Hemel ‘keeper.

Cochrane, likewise, also tested Johnson following a darting run in the 76th minute, before Dulson struck straight towards the goalkeeper in the 84th minute.

As the fourth official indicated six minutes of added time, a United corner was whipped in, landing to Robinson on the edge of the penalty area, but his shot was dragged just wide.

Despite being on the back foot for much of the second half, Hemel fought valiantly in the closing stages to pile late pressure on the United goal. Mathew Achuba’s shot was deflected wide, and the resulting clearance saw Hamza Semakula force van Stappershoef into an important save.

MUWFC Maidenhead United Women pushed one of the pre-season favourites for promotion Swindon Town all the way in their opening FAWNL Division One South West fixture of the season and felt aggrieved at an unfortunate pivotal moment just before half time.

United – with five debutants making their first competitive starts for the club and a further two on the substitutes bench – were slow to react in their own box and prolific Swindon captain Annie Colston drove the ball into the top corner of Amy Whale’s goal.

Sides with lesser character would have melted in the withering Wiltshire sunshine but Maidenhead stuck to their guns, played on the front foot and were only denied an equaliser when Martha Riley’s goal-bound shot from distance was somehow parried behind by Swindon goalkeeper Hannah Cox. From the resultant corner, an assistant referee’s flag indicated an infringement by Cox and United had their first goal of the Kitson era from the penalty spot thanks to Macey Walters emphatic spot kick. Swindon were rocking by now and Maidenhead’s intensity again saw Riley denied by Cox at full stretch.

It was therefore against the run of play when Isabelle Cook restored Swindon’s lead in frustrating style just before the break. Maidenhead players and staff felt aggrieved that the match referee looked to have inadvertently impeded a United player’s attempt to get to the ball before Cook took advantage of the space to fire a shot into the top corner.

The highly-rated hosts enjoyed more of the territory in the second half but they were largely restricted to wayward long-distance finishing. Indeed – unlike her counterpart – Amy Whale in the Maidenhead goal only had one save to make until the closing moments, and that itself in fairness was a splendid reaction at her far post. Swindon also saw an effort come back off the cross bar, but it was only inside the final five minutes that United rather overplayed in the wrong area and were punished when Elise Clayton scored from a rebound. A Colston header from a corner into stoppage time gave the scoreline a rather flattering look.

MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING

SAVE THE DATE Friday 19TH September 10am-3pm Maidenhead Athletics Club, The Pavillion, Braywick Park, Maidenhead, SL6 1BN Enjoy a chat, a drink and a host of activities.

RYAN WALSH Earlier this month, Maidenhead United announced Ryan Walsh as the club’s new Head of Futsal.

In the second of this two-part piece, Ryan discusses what he’s looking to bring to the club, ‘The Maidenhead Way’, and his hopes for the upcoming season.

With pre-season just beginning throughout Maidenhead United Futsal, it felt important to ask what changes Ryan was looking to make as soon as his tenure started. He explained: “[I’m] trying to give a bit of parity across both men's and women. So, trying to make the women's two sessions a week this year. So again, there's parity as a whole.”

“Again, looking to increase that and improve the partnership with Brunel to see if we can get more out of them and they can get more out of us, [and to ensure] we're both getting value from each other across the board.

“There are also conversations I've had with the coaches that lead the other teams as well. Can we sort of make ‘The Maidenhead Way’? Can we look to formalise that through the adult teams? So that way there's a lot of crossover and we sort of have a formalised style of playing but also nuances within the coach's own philosophies and decisions and then also that will then lead into what we do at a youth level. So, what we look to implement at certain ages, so they are ready for those senior teams as they come through them.”

Building that holistic style of play is something seen across many professional football clubs as youth players are encouraged to replicate what the senior teams do tactically – something which Ryan is looking to bring to Maidenhead United Futsal.

“You go into sessions, and you see different values from different coaches. They emphasise different things. And then when you get a player come up from, let's say a development team into the senior team and you expect them to be ready to perform, especially if they're young. If they are in the development team, they're 17, 18, they step in, they're already scared. It's a new environment. They think these players are so far ahead of them, they sort of put them on that pedestal and they've been prepared in a completely different way. And then we're expecting and asking certain things of them, and they don't know what you're talking about or what you mean. And then they're scared to ask, they're scared to challenge and check. And I think by formalising that and sort of helping make that process easier for them.

That's where we can look at ‘The Maidenhead Way.’”

RYAN WALSH Foundations have been laid in place by Walsh’s predecessors, Fernando Silva who founded the club in 2013, and coached at every level until his departure in 2024, and Richard Oxley who joined as a youth coach in 2015 and continued through to managing the Men’s First Team prior Ryan’s arrival. Ryan wanted to recognise the importance of their contributions, saying: “Fernando did amazing things back in the day, especially as a coach, and I've heard a lot of good things about him from the people that he worked with on court, and off the court as well. I know he's had to step away for his own reasons, but again, it’s great stuff that he's done. Rich as well, has done amazing things to help the club get to where it is now, getting this partnership with Maidenhead United and to come on board with Maidenhead.”

“Two people that I can't thank enough for what they've done to get the club where it is. And I think that sentiment is echoed throughout the club from players currently and players previously from the work that they've done. From them, I had conversations with Rich, obviously [I’ve] been working with him closely around lessons that can be learned, things that needs to be improved. If somebody's going to have the experience and the understanding of the club, how it works and what it needs, it's going to be them because they've been around it so long. So, it's utilising that expertise around me and taking that forward into conversations and implementing certain strategies and actions off the back of that.

“From a youth point of view, we're looking at implementing more sessions across the youth provision. Longer term, having different hubs throughout the Thames Valley area that then we can access more people, and we can provide more provision and therefore build the amount of youth players that we access and hopefully more of them coming through into the senior team setup. Again, we'll be looking to build at how we integrate that on the football side as well, and that'll be work that I'm doing alongside the football setup as to how we can help and how we can build that in from the senior sides. No pressure on the coaches, but we're looking to do as well as we can.

“But, first and foremost, developing the players that we have, ensuring that we have great people before we have great players, as I think that's important. And then from the back of that, there will be conversations that I have with certain coaches around. What are your aims for the season? What are you looking to do? And from there can we build? Can we see what success we can have this season? Because you never know. The titles are always available. But that will be something that we adjust throughout the season based off the work that we're doing, hopefully the good work that we're doing and we'll see where the season goes and where we can take it.”

If you would like to find out more about futsal or want to get involved, please email Ryan at ryan.walsh@maidenheadunitedfc.org

TODAY’S OPPOSITION Horsham FC – founded in 1881 – were elected to the Corinthian League in 1957, a division which was disbanded in 1963 but which at the time contained current Enterprise National League South outfits Slough Town, Dagenham, Chesham United, Worthing… and Maidenhead United. Maidenhead were champions of the division in ‘57/58, completing a league double over today’s opponents in our first ever meetings. The Hornets have to date visited York Road on 20 occasions in League and Cup, winning four times, drawing a further three matches and being defeated on 13 trips. Their last visit was for an FA Trophy tie in in November 2006 when a Lee Newman brace sent us through by the odd goal in three. It was another cup tie just over a year later which gave Horsham revenge...

In his first full campaign in charge, Johnson Hippolyte’s Magpies were finding life in the Blue Square South a hard slog after a remarkable run to promotion from the Southern League the previous season. A run in the FA Cup took the First Round proper at least raised spirits and although United missed out on a plum draw against an EFL side there was optimism that a trip to West Sussex to face Isthmian Leaguers Horsham gave us hope of a place in Round 2 for the first time since 1886.

The Hornets, however, had other ideas.

3379 spectators packed into Horsham’s old Queen Street and – on a difficult pitch – the higher ranked visitors had the first chance of the game when Yashwa latched onto a long kick from Louis Wells but couldn’t beat Alan Mansfield in the Horsham goal. The majority of the crowd were in raptures on the stroke of half time as Nigel Brake scored a goal from a seemingly impossible distance which was to make its way into the Match of the Day credits sequence over the weekend.

Tails up, Horsham added a second thanks to an acrobatic effort by Lee Carney only for United to gain a lifeline when Manny Williams was fouled in the area, Dwane Lee converting the penalty. Carney and Lee Farrell however were to have the last word, both scoring either side of Gary Charman’s red card for the hosts who would draw EFL side Swansea City in Round 2.

TODAY’S OPPOSITION Dominic Da Paola – Manager. The Hornets boss had a modest playing career with Worthing and Worthing United before his first managerial post at Clymping, where he took the club from the West Sussex League to Division Two in three seasons.

Returning to Worthing United, he secured promotion, but it was at East Preston where he shone, winning two County League titles, five Sussex cup finals, and reaching the FA Vase last sixteen.

After a short spell at Hastings United, he was tasked with reviving a Horsham side already facing relegation to the County League for the first time since 1956.

Rebuilding almost from scratch, he delivered the club’s first league title in twenty years in 2015/16, then oversaw steady league progress. In 2018/19 he led Horsham back to the Isthmian Premier via the Play-Offs, and on the final day of 2024/25 secured promotion to the Enterprise National League.

THREE TO WATCH Lee Harding – Midfield. Lee’s versatility has seen him fill in regularly at full-back in recent seasons but it is for his attacking threat down the right flank that he has become a firm favourite of the Horsham faithful, who voted him as their Player of the Season for 2021/22. An Isthmian League winner at both youth and senior levels with previous club Burgess Hill Town, Lee has weighed in with some important goals including the opener in the Hornets Velocity Trophy final win over Margate in 2022.

Reece Meekums – Midfield. Reece’s footballing education began at Brighton & Hove Albion, for whom he played at U18 and U23 levels, before dropping into the National League with Bromley, where he had loan spells at Worthing, Eastbourne Borough and Bognor Regis Town.

Joining Worthing on a permanent basis in 2019, he collected Sussex Senior Cup and Isthmian Premier Division winners’ medals and joined Horsham in September 2023.

Shamir Fenelon – Forward. Former Magpie who scored 5 goals in 9 starts and 18 substitute appearances during the truncated 2019/20 season. Capped twice at U21 level for the Republic of Ireland, the powerful forward made two senior appearances for Brighton & Hove Albion and also boasts Football League experience with Torquay, Rochdale, Tranmere and Dagenham. Scored for Horsham in their epic 3-3 FA Cup draw against Barnsley at Oakwell in November 2023.

STATISTICS

FIXTURES AND RESULTS August 2025 Saturday, 9th - Chesham (H) - 1-2 Saturday, 16th - Enfield Town (A) - 0-0 Tuesday, 19th - Hemel Hempstead (H) - 2-2 Saturday, 23rd - Weston-super-Mare (A) 3pm Monday, 25th - Horsham (H) - 3pm Saturday, 30th - Dover Athletic (A) - 3pm

January 2026 Saturday, 3rd - Horsham (A) - 3pm Saturday, 10th - Bath City (H) - 3pm Saturday, 17th - Enfield Town (H) - 3pm Saturday, 24th - Chesham United (A) 3pm Tuesday, 27th - AFC Totton (H) - 7:45pm Saturday, 31st - Ebbsfleet United (A) 3pm

September 2025 Tuesday, 2nd - Bath City (A) - 7:45pm February 2026 Saturday, 6th - Chelmsford City (H) - 3pm Saturday, 7th - Farnborough (H) - 3pm Saturday, 20th - Maidstone United (A) - 3pm Tuesday, 10th - Tonbridge Angels (A) 7:45pm October 2025 Saturday, 14th - Torquay United (A) - 3pm Saturday, 4th - Worthing (H) - 3pm Saturday, 21st - Dagenham & Redbridge Saturday, 11th - Dorking Wanderers (A) - 3pm (H) - 3pm Saturday, 18th - Eastbourne Borough (H) Tuesday, 24th - Salisbury (H) - 7:45pm 3pm Saturday, 28th - Chippenham Town (A) Tuesday, 21st - Tonbridge Angels (H) - 7:45pm 3pm Saturday, 25th - Farnborough (A) - 3pm March 2026 November 2025 Saturday, 7th - Maidstone United (H) Saturday, 1st - Ebbsfleet United (H) - 3pm 3pm Tuesday, 4th - AFC Totton (A) - 7:45pm Tuesday, 10th - Worthing (A) - 7:45pm Saturday, 8th - Torquay United (H) - 3pm Saturday, 14th - Eastbourne Borough (A) Saturday, 22nd - Dagenham & Redbridge (A) 3pm - 3pm Saturday, 21st - Dorking Wanderers (H) Tuesday, 25th - Salisbury (A) - 7:45pm 3pm Saturday, 29th - Chippenham Town (H) - 3pm Saturday, 28th - Weston-super-Mare (H) 3pm December 2025 Saturday, 6th - Hornchurch (H) - 3pm April 2026 Saturday, 20th - Hemel Hempstead (A) - 3pm Friday, 3rd - Slough Town (A) - 3pm Friday, 26th - Slough Town (H) - 3pm Monday, 6th - Hampton & Richmond (H) Tuesday, 30th - Hampton & Richmond (A) - 3pm 7:45pm Saturday, 11th - Chelmsford City (A) - 3pm Saturday, 18th - Dover Athletic (H) - 3pm Saturday, 25th - Hornchurch (A) - 3pm

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Maidenhead United Women are recruiting five voluntary positions to expand their profile for the 2025/26 season.

As we embark on a new season and a new era under Dave Kitson, Maidenhead United Women are looking to expand their off-the-pitch set-up. With five voluntary positions open, these roles are perfect for those looking to gain industry experience alongside their studies. This presents a fantastic opportunity to add experience to your CV in the highly competitive first team environment of women’s Tier 4 football.

Matches for the team will take on a Sunday afternoon with occasional midweek games taking place on Wednesday evenings, but as with any football environment the schedule is ever-changing! To see a current list of fixtures, head to our Fixtures & Results page on our website.

Maidenhead United Women play all their home games at York Road, the same venue as the Men's team - setting you up in the best enviroment possible.

Voluntary Positions Needed: - First Team Physio - First Team Coach - First Team Analyst - First Team Massage Therapist - First Team Content Creator With the season underway we would like to recruit for these positions at the earliest possible opportunity, to register your interest and for further details please contact: secretary@maidenheadunitedfc.org

2025/26 MEN’S SQUAD

Harvey Collins

Jordi van Stappershoef

Home and Away sponsored by AJ Selwood Building Solutions

Home sponsored

by Lucas Kaczmarczyk

Ryan Bartley

Jordon Ragguette

Will de Havilland

Callum Harriott

Home and Away sponsored by O’Brien Real Estate

Home and Away available to sponsor

Home and Away sponsored by Charlie Maynard

Home and Away sponsored by Charlie Maynard

Asher Yearwood

Corie Andrews

Kane Ferdinand

Jayden Mitchell-Lawson

Home and Away sponsored by Derek Blow

Home and Away sponsored by Charlie Maynard

Home and Away available to sponsor

Home and Away sponsored by Pat McDonald

2025/26 MEN’S SQUAD Matt Robinson

Harry Pritchard

Josh Umerah

Liam Dulson

Home and Away sponsored by Phil & Eugene

Home and Away sponsored by Mark Maynard

Home and Away available to sponsor

Home and Away available to sponsor

Owen Cochrane

Remy Clerima

Josh Popoola

Sam Barratt

Home and Away sponsored by Charlie Maynard

Home and Away available to sponsor

Home and Away available to sponsor

Home and Away sponsored by Howard Goold

Josh McMenemy

Jadyn Dundas

Manny Onariase

Noah Stewart

Home and Away available to sponsor

Home and Away sponsored by URM Consulting Solutions

Home sponsored

by Mark Kaczmarczyk Away sponsored

by MUSG

Home and Away sponsored by Charlie Maynard

MUWFC

By Maddie Blunden Maidenhead United Women suffered a narrow defeat at home against Actonians in their FAWNL Cup group-stage clash, despite a strong and resilient performance throughout the evening.

The Magpies started the game with intensity, pressing high from the kick-off and creating early chances.

Freya Morgan tested Actonians’ goalkeeper Elisa Dogor with a shot from distance, while Megan Harper repeatedly threatened down the left wing with dangerous runs and crosses. The opposition also created chances from free kicks and corners, but goalkeeper Kody Cornish and a disciplined Maidenhead defence held firm.

Sarah Sparrow, Macey Walters, and the defensive unit were all prominent in keeping Actonians at bay, earning loud support from the home crowd.

Actonians responded with a series of attacks, including corners and free kicks, but were repeatedly denied by Cornish’s excellent saves. The first half ended goalless, with both teams’ showing strong defensive organisation and attacking intent.

The second half saw an increase in tempo, with both sides pressing for a breakthrough. Maidenhead continued to create chances, with Harper and Walters going close multiple times, and Sarah Sparrow hitting the bar from a free kick.

However, Actonians took the lead in the 51st minute when Angie Dunbar-Bonnie capitalised on a swift move to put the opposition 1-0 up.

Despite the setback, Maidenhead maintained their attacking threat, winning free kicks, creating shots on target, and applying pressure in Actonians’ final third.

Charley Evans was forced off with an injury and was replaced by Tarran Williams, while Simone O’Brien, Katie Vince, and Martha Riley came on later as tactical substitutions.

Actonians had a few half-chances late on, but Cornish remained alert, denying efforts from Molly O’Reilly and others. Maidenhead continued to fight until the final whistle, with Harper and Morgan both seeing shots blocked in the last few minutes, but were ultimately unable to find an equaliser.

Full-time: Magpies 0-1 Actonians

STAY ACTIVE, STAY YOUNG: EXERCISE CLASSES

Holyport Memorial Hall Wednesdays 2-3pm, from 3rd September As we age, our bodies change, and so do our fitness needs. The cookiecutter approach of general exercise classes can leave you feeling overlooked or even at risk.

Regular movement is the key to continuing the activities you love and discovering new passions along the way. Age is just a number, but vitality is a choice.

Our classes provide: A safe, supportive environment led by certified instructors experienced in working with mature adults.

Movements tailored for joint health, flexibility, balance, and bone density.

Low-impact exercises that minimise injury risk while maximising results.

Adaptations for all fitness levels - whether you’re a seasoned exerciser or a complete beginner, either seated or standing options available.

A welcoming, social atmosphere where you can make friends and enjoy group motivation.

Contact: community@maidenheadunitedfc.org or 01628 636314 option 4

AROUND THE LEAGUE As Maidenhead United drew 0-0 with Enfield, Thomas Lloyd looked into the results from last Saturday – the second weekend of the 2025/26 Enterprise National League South season.

Newly promoted AFC Totton earned three points in their first home game of the season, thumping Tonbridge Angels 3-0.

Another team promoted last season also won this weekend, Dover Athletic beating Bath City 2-1 away.

Hampton & Richmond Borough travelled to Surrey to one of National League South's best teams last season. They shocked Dorking Wanderers 3-0 as Dorking came crashing down by conceding two late goals.

Chesham United were fortunate on Saturday when the Buckinghamshire side came back from 2-1 down against Farnborough to triumph 3-2 at home.

London side Hornchurch had a memorable away trip to Eastbourne. After going a goal down, they would bag two goals, including a 92nd minute winner.

After dropping down from the National League, Ebbsfleet United have started life in the sixth division in a successful way. The Fleet would be victorious again, this time against at home vs Chippenham in a 1-0 win.

In the West Sussex Derby, Worthing got their first set of three points against local rivals and Sussex Senior Cup winners Horsham. The Rebels scraped a victory in a thrilling 4-3 derby.

Torquay United rescued a point away in Kent against Maidstone United when striker Jordan Young scored from the penalty spot in added time.

Salisbury and Dagenham & Redbridge were both frustrated after neither side could score past the other, concluding in a 0-0 stalemate.

Hemel Hempstead's journey to Slough proved to be a success. Joe White scoring for the away side after four minutes to be the only goal in the match.

Chelmsford could only leave Weston-Super-Mare with a point, another game ending in a goalless draw as both sides struggled to find the back of the net.

The results left AFC Totton, Ebbsfleet, Chesham and Hornchurch sitting at the top of the league having won two from two. 13th to 23rd all sat on one point, while today’s opposition Horsham were yet to get off the mark.

MUFC ACADEMY It was a great start to a brand-new venture for Maidenhead United Academy as our Under 18 team won their first ever match in the Isthmian Youth League last Monday night in a match played at Burnham FC. Trailing 2-0 at half time to Hampton & Richmond Borough, the young Magpies – many of whom have graduated together through the Maidenhead United Juniors set up - bravely battled back to claim three points on opening day thanks to a fourgoal haul from Ollie Hunt.

The IYL West division includes the likes of local rivals Ascot United and Bracknell Town and United’s next fixture will be on Thursday 28th August when they take on Aldershot Town at Badshot Lea FC. Meanwhile, the Under 19s are once again competing in the National League Under 19 Alliance (South) and face their first game of the season on Wednesday 3rd September when they entertain Boreham Wood at Berkshire College of Agriculture. Players from the Under 18 and Under 19 squads will be eligible for the FA Youth Cup this season, with the Magpies due to entertain the winners of the Preliminary Round tie between Amersham Town and St Alban’s City. The tie at York Road is due to be played week commencing 15th September. The Magpies Academy reached Round 3 of the competition in both 2018/19 and 2019/20, facing Nottingham Forest and Oxford United respectively in two memorable ties.

Finally, it was great to see recently that Academy graduate and Berkshire boy Reece Smith scored his first ever goal as an EFL player in Harrogate Town’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Grimsby Town in League Two. Reece – who made over 150 first team appearances for the Magpies before leaving in the summer – took less than an hour of his home debut to make an impression.

ON THIS DAY

“Anonymous letters are not worth the paper they are written on!” That was the curt retort from manager Len Townsend following a letter sent to the Maidenhead Advertiser criticising the fitness of the players following a lacklustre performance in a Corinthian League match against Eastbourne today in 1956. The letter, signed ‘Regular Supporter’ stated that many players were out of condition or not pulling their weight and obviously referred to the second 45 minutes after the Magpies had led 2-0 at the break, courtesy of a brace from Jimmy Snape. Colbran got one back for the visitors on 49 minutes, after that the game degenerated with more air ball than football, the Magpies held on for a 2-1 win with Eastbourne finishing the better side. The letter must have had some effect, following this game United sprang to life with just one defeat in their next 14 league and cup matches.

Moving on 34 years another impressive run of results was in its infancy when we made the short trip to Bracknell Town for an Isthmian League Division 2 South match. After struggling to assert their authority Maidenhead took the lead on 19 minutes, Benny Laryea heading home a Paul Canoville corner. Two minutes before the break Laryea scored again after Bracknell keeper Henley could only parry Canoville’s shot. Canoville was again the provider a minute later when Kevin Bale headed in his free kick. Stuart Muir had an effort disallowed in the second half but it was a comfortable enough 3-0 win.

A 90th minute goal from Will De Havilland earned the Magpies their first three points of the season at York Road seven years ago today – unfortunately for De Havilland he was then playing for the opposition, Maidstone United. Ryan Upward’s second minute header put Maidenhead in front in this National League encounter before Blair Turgott equalised on the stroke of half-time. Former West Ham Academy graduate Turgott put the Stones 2-1 ahead from the penalty spot after Harold Odametey was adjudged to have handled in the 57th minute. Adrian Clifton made it 2-2 firing past Lee Worgan on 77 minutes before Rene Steer’s cross hit De Havilland and flew into the net.

By Maurice Cann

LEAGUE TABLE

TEAM SHEET

MANAGER: Alan Devonshire HARVEY COLLINS 1 RYAN BARTLEY 2 JORDON RAGGUETTE 3 WILL DE HAVILLAND 4 CALLUM HARRIOTT 7 ASHER YEARWOOD 8 CORIE ANDREWS 9 KANE FERDINAND 10 JAYDEN MITCHELL LAWSON 11 MATT ROBINSON 12 HARRY PRITCHARD 14 JOSH UMERAH 15 LIAM DULSON 17 OWEN COCHRANE 19 REMY CLERIMA 20 JORDI VAN STAPPERSHOEF 22 JOSH POPOOLA 23 SAM BARRATT 25 JOSHUA McMENEMY 28 JADYN DUNDAS 29 MANNY ONARIASE 30 NOAH STEWART 33

MANAGER: Dominic Da Paola Lewis Carey (GK) Montel Agyemang Danny Barker Gianluca Botti Jack Brivio Jake Elliott Shamir Fenelon Leone Gravata Freddie Hammond James Hammond Lee Harding Charlie Hester-Cook Reece Meekums Rhys Murphy Ola Ogunwamide Isacc Philpott James Roberts Lucas Rodrigues Harvey Sparks Jack Strange

TODAY’S OFFICIALS Referee: Joe Woolmer Assistants: Neal Templey & David Payne Fourth Official: Laurentiu Hantea