Maidenhead United call the Shots in victory over Aldershot

Credit: Grace Scott, Maidenhead United FC

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Aldershot Town 1, Maidenhead United 2

Maidenhead United are climbing the National League table once again after scoring twice in the first half to seal their first win at Aldershot Town in 25 years.

Having ground out a goalless draw at Yeovil Town in mid-week, the Magpies arrived at the Recreation Ground having just about got last weekend's disappointing FA Cup exit to Dagenham out of their system.

It didn't take the visiting Magpies long to give themselves a stranglehold on this fixture. After Ashley Nathaniel-George had gone close with a rasping drive in the fourth minute they edged in front in the eighth through Frenchman Remy Clerima.

It was academy product Reece Smith who created it, threading a wonderful ball through for the unmarked Clerima to calmly steer the ball beyond Luca Ashby-Hammond.

A second followed for the Magpies inside 20 minutes with Smith again heavily involved. This time it was his shot that was well saved by Ashby-Hammond and from the resulting corner Will De Havilland - sent off harshly against the Daggers last weekend - rose well to plant a towering header into the back of the Shots' net.

The Magpies were now flying and might well have killed the game inside the first quarter when Emile Acquah was played through on goal only for Ashby-Hammond to foil him and keep the hosts just about in touch.

Having been shellshocked by the Magpies' early dominance, the Shots gradually got themselves back on a more even footing, but they struggled to carve out chances against a resolute United backline. Cordner might have done better with a header in the 36th minute, but he got his angles all wrong and failed to test Dan Gyollai.

United came off at the interval two goals to the good, and they were excellent value for that advantage, however, they conceded early in the second half to give Aldershot a shot of renewed confidence and belief. It was Effiong who got the goal in the 51st minute, and it galvanised the home side who'd been very much second best up to that point.

The visitors remained a threat sporadically, but the game had become more about preserving the lead they had than trying to extend it. Clerima vert nearly picked out Acquah with a long ball in the 56th minute, but it was the Shots that were firing as the half wore on.

Cordner missed the chance to level from a free header just before the hour mark while Michael Klass saw an effort from range fizz narrowly wide of the Gyollai's goal in the 62nd minute.

Smith was replaced by fellow academy graduate, Bradley Keetch in the 65th minute after picking up a booking, and Maidenhead worked tirelessly to limit their opponent's chances. Instead of allowing the hosts to ramp up the pressure in the closing stages, Maidenhead were able to quieten their hosts and the crowd, while Acquah had a shot that was well saved in the 66th minute.

The Magpies fell back into defensive mode for the final few minutes, but they all did their jobs diligently as the Shots pressed forward looking increasingly desperate. Six minutes were added on at the end, but the visitors saw them out without any further clear chances on their goal.

“We got what we deserved”

Goalscorer, Remy Clerima, spoke after this afternoon’s win on the road at Aldershot. #WeAreMaidenhead pic.twitter.com/YvFElU7sqf

— Maidenhead United (@MUFCYorkRoad) November 12, 2022

The result lifts the Magpies to 13th in the National League - just six points off the play-offs - ahead of their next league game against Eastleigh at York Road next Saturday.

Prior to that the Magpies will host local rivals Slough Town in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup first round on Tuesday; however, Devonshire has already said that players who haven't had a lot of minutes this season will be given a chance to impress in that one.

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Hungerford Town 2, Slough Town 1

The Rebels disappointing run of form continued as they were beaten 2-1 by second bottom Hungerford Town in National League South this afternoon.

Slough took the lead in this one, with spectacular strike from Lee Togwell in the 33rd minute, but once again they couldn’t build on their advantage.

Callum Willmoth levelled matters 10 minutes before half-time and they might have led before the break but for a good save by Rhys Forster.

Dartford's Dan Roberts - who was on loan with the Rebels earlier this month and is now with the Crusaders - headed wide in the 50th minute before seeing another good chance blocked by Joe Dandy before Forster tipped over.

Roberts didn't manage a goal during his loan spell for the Rebels, but he got one against them in the 69th minute and it proved to be the winner. In truth, Roberts might have had a hat-trick against his former club, and he drilled just wide in the 75th minute

Both sides had chances in the closing minutes, but Hungerford weren't able to extend their lead and Slough weren't able to draw level. The best of them fell to Slough's Imran Kayani in the 93rd minute but he failed to keep his shot down after being picked out by George Wells.

The result at Bulpit Lane leaves the Rebels 18th in the table, just three points above the relegation zone ahead of their next league game at Farnborough on Tuesday, November 22. Before that they have two cup games, against Maidenhead in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup on Tuesday and at Hanwell Town in the FA Trophy on Saturday as they look to bring an end to their long winless run.