MATCH REPORT | Maidenhead United 4-0 Wealdstone

Wealdstone were comfortably defeated by Maidenhead United at York Road this afternoon.

Goals from Ryan Upward, Josh Coley, Danilo Orsi and Nathan Blissett sealed a Boxing Day victory for the Magpies.

Manager Dean Brennan made two changes to the side that beat Eastleigh in a phenomenal comeback last Saturday. Charlie Wakefield was brought back into the starting line-up after an impressive second half performance, along with Moses Emmanuel who returned from injury. New signings Matt Lench and Stephen Browne were also named to the bench.

The Magpies took an early lead in the 5th minute of play as Upward raced through and slotted home past Stuart Moore.

The Stones were unlucky not to be back on level terms 14 minutes later as Emmanuel converted past Taye Ashby-Hammond, but referee Sunny Gill adjudged there to have been a foul in the build up.

Wealdstone were close to drawing level again in the 30th minute when Alex Dyer played through Dennon Lewis down the left channel and the winger crossed to Emmanuel, but Ashby-Hammond produced a smart save to deny the striker.

The visitors continued to probe and penetrate for an equaliser and were nearly rewarded in the 37th minute as Lewis unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box; however Ashby-Hammond managed to hold onto his effort.

A minute later, the Magpies doubled their lead from a counter attack as Josh Coley found space out wide and fired past Moore to send the home side into halftime with a two goal cushion.

The second half saw the introduction of Lench, replacing Wakefield in midfield.

Wealdstone’s fortunes took a further dent three minutes from the restart when Gill awarded a penalty for handball and Orsi converted from the spot for Maidenhead.

Seven minutes later, the Magpies quadrupled their advantage as George Wells whipped in a cross and Blissett rose highest to power his header past Moore.

The Stones were then agonisingly close to pulling a goal back on three occasions through Jerome Okimo, Danny Green and Lewis, but Maidenhead’s number one thwarted their efforts will a string of brilliant saves.

In the 65th minute, Brennan threw the last role of the dice with Browne and Debayo replacing Jacob Mendy and Emmanuel to make their debuts.

Despite Wealdstone’s efforts, they were unable to reduce the deficit, as the Magpies held onto their four-goal margin for a valuable three points.

Wealdstone return to action on Bank Holiday Monday 28th December when they host Boreham Wood, in 3pm kick-off.

WEALDSTONE: Moore, Efete, Mendy (Debayo, 65), Cawley, Dyer, Okimo (C), Smith, Wakefield (Lench, 45), Emmanuel (Browne, 65), Green, Lewis.

Subs not used: Askew, Benyu.

MAIDENHEAD UNITED: Ashby-Hammond, Wells, Donnellan (Keetch, 90), Parry, Coley (Smile, 82), Blissett, Orsi (Comley, 76), Sheckleford, Addai, Upward, Massey (C).

Subs not used: Oluwayemi, Twumasi.

Report by Nicole Cho-Yee