Masked captain, midfield maestro and Maidenhead United march up the table

Maidenhead United celebrate Matt Robinson’s goal. Photo: MUFC

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Maidstone United 0, Maidenhead United 1

Maidenhead United kept pace with the front runners in the National League South as they claimed their fifth straight league victory with a 1-0 win at Maidstone United this afternoon.

Alan Devonshire’s side have been in fine form in the league of late, and they brushed off last weekend’s surprise FA Cup loss at home to Faversham Town with a restorative away win at the Gallagher Stadium.

This was a hard-fought but deserved three points for the Magpies who took the lead shortly after the half-hour mark through midfielder Matt Robinson.

Robinson has been a reassuring presence for the Magpies in midfield of late, controlling matches and dictating play, but he’d yet to find the back of the net in Magpies colours.

This was put right in the 35th minute when Jordon Ragguette’s long throw was flicked on by captain Will De Havilland - looking almost like a superhero in his protective mask - and Robinson was there to rifle the ball into the back of the net after Stones’ keeper Harness parried it out.

Captain. Leader. Warrior. pic.twitter.com/E5h7ZMGXkA

— Maidenhead United (@MUFCYorkRoad) September 20, 2025

The Magpies had drawn first blood after an entertaining, end-to-end opening in Kent.

The first chance had fallen Maidenhead’s way in the first minute, when Josh Popoola fired a free kick comfortably over the bar from 25 yards. Corie Andrews also went close with a shot that George Fowler managed to block with his stomach.

But the Stones also had their moments of danger, with Jordi Van Stappershoef pulling off an excellent save to keep out Riley Court’s dipping free kick in the 17th minute.

United had the ball in the net in the 23rd minute when Popoola’s dangerous cross was spilled by Nathan Harness and the Magpies fired home, however, the referee pulled play back for a foul on the keeper in the build up. The hosts then had their celebrations cut short when Deon Moore finished past Van Stappershoef in the 28th minute only for the linesman’s flag to go up.

Robinson’s goal did count a few minutes later however, and the visitors survived with their lead in tact through to the half-time interval.

Devonshire’s men had to survive some nervy moments at the start of the second half, as the Stones pushed forward looking for a route back into the game.

Van Stappershoef made a huge stop to keep out Moore’s effort after he’d spun away from the Magpies’ defence to get in on goal in the 47th minute. Fowler then turned a really presentable chance to make it 1-1 over the bar when he was picked out in the middle eight yards out in the 57th minute.

United then did their best to shut up shop, slowing the game down and keeping hold of possession when they could to frustrate their hosts. Andrews might have extended their advantage in the closing stages when he created a shooting opportunity from a short corner in the 89th minute, but his effort went straight at Harness.

United made a few more substitutions to eat up time while Ryan Bartley was yellow carded for a cynical shirt pull but the visitors saw the game through to claim another three points.

The result lifts the Magpies up to fourth in the table, level on 17 points with third placed Torquay United and only six behind leaders Hornchurch, who were 5-2 winners at Slough Town this afternoon.