Peters delighted by set-piece success and Popoola's moment of magic at Hampton

Maidenhead players celebrate Josh Popoola’s spectacular strike. Photo: Darren Woolley/MUFC

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A goal of the season contender from Josh Popoola and a diving header from Josh Umerah were the standout moments from Maidenhead United’s 3-1 win over Hampton & Richmond Borough on Saturday.

But for interim boss Ryan Peters, United’s first goal, a scrappy finish from close range after the Beavers struggled to clear a set piece was the most satisfying.

The game was in the balance at the Beveree in the early stages, with Jordi Van Stappershoef having been forced into some uncomfortable moments, however, the Magpies grasped the crucial advantage in the 12th minute, and Peters felt that came about because of the tireless work the players have been doing on the training field.

Remy Clerima peeled away to the back post to meet Popoola’s ball in and Headman – on loan from Brentford’s u21s – was in the right place to slam the ball into the net after Hampton struggled to clear.

Chanse Headman in the right place at the right time for his maiden Magpies goal! pic.twitter.com/nQO3QCxE6k

— Maidenhead United (@MUFCYorkRoad) December 15, 2025

It put the Magpies on the path to their fourth straight win in the league, two of those (Salisbury and Chippenham Town) achieved in the final weeks of Alan Devonshire’s tenure and two more (Hornchurch and Hampton) from an encouraging start to a new era under interim duo Peters and Aaron O’Brien.

“There were parts of the game where we got fortunate,” said Peters. “There were counter attacks that could have led to good chances.

“From that perspective, we weren’t necessarily always happy. But for large spells of the game, we played well and were dominant in most aspects.

“If I’m honest with you, I was more impressed with the first one. We’ve been working quite heavily on set pieces and maintaining attacks and in the last two games we’ve scored two from set pieces which is brilliant

“When things aren’t going particularly well, you need to be able to stay in games, and a viable option of getting a goal is from set pieces. Putting the ball exactly where it needs to go with the right intent, it’s something that you can practice over and over again in training so yeah, we’re happy with that.”

He added: “We were more worried about Saturday’s game than the previous game (at home to leaders Hornchurch). And I don’t mean to be detrimental to Hornchurch, but I was able to watch them and see what the makeup of their team was. We had an understanding.

“But with the new manager, and three new players coming in, we had absolutely no idea what Hampton would look like and how they’d play.”

With a strike reminiscent of Tony Yeboah’s famous goal for Leeds at Wimbledon in the early days of the Premier League, Popoola cannoned a shot from all of 30 yards into the top corner, the ball bouncing in off the underside of the crossbar in the 19th minute. While he worked his magic again in the 48th minute to supply Umerah with a teasing cross from the left. There was still plenty for the in-form front man to do, though, but he flung himself at the ball and powered a header into the back of the net.

Sit back, relax and enjoy this piece of brilliance from Josh Popoola! pic.twitter.com/CaALZp4GSY

— Maidenhead United (@MUFCYorkRoad) December 15, 2025

A brilliant diving header from Josh Umerah to round off Saturday's scoring! ‍ pic.twitter.com/w0rVwtsvp5

— Maidenhead United (@MUFCYorkRoad) December 15, 2025

From there the Magpies saw the game out reasonably comfortably, despite Ronan Silva’s 82nd minute consolation. The hosts had been reduced to 10 men by that stage after Mike Atkinson’s ugly challenge on Umerah.

“The second goal is a moment of magic, and he has those moments of magic in him,” added Peters. “We’re less astonished by the things that he does these days, because he does them so frequently, but the third goal was also quite impressive. Josh Umerah does well to get to the front post and score it.

“He’s amongst the goals now. He was finding them hard to come by in other spells, but they seem to be coming thick and fast for him now. The good news is we’re getting goals from several areas which is a big help.”

The win moved the Magpies to eighth in the table, two points adrift of Hemel Hempstead Town in seventh who they visit on Saturday. A fifth win in a row would be very welcome indeed and would set them up nicely for the Boxing Day clash with neighbours Slough Town at York Road.

Not that anyone in the Maidenhead camp is thinking of the Rebels just yet though, with Peters admitting all roads lead to Hemel.

“They are a really tough outfit,” he said. “I was able to watch them when I watched Hornchurch, so we have some understanding. But since then, they’ve got some of their big hitters back. They had a few injuries at the time.

“They will be tough to beat and when we played them at York Road (a 2-2 draw back in late August), they dominated for large spells of our game. We came away with a draw and on another day we could have lost.”