Ferdinand scores twice as Magpies overcome Hemel to set up Daggers tie

Credit: Maidenhead United FC

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Hemel Hempstead Town 2, Maidenhead United 3

Maidenhead United booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Trophy - and a trip to league rivals Dagenham & Redbridge - after producing an impressive second half performance to oust Hemel Hempstead Town at Vauxhall Road on Tuesday evening.

Kane Ferdinand bagged a couple of poacher's finishes as the Magpies eventually saw off their National League South rivals who'd more than played their part in a competitive tie.

Although Maidenhead shaded proceedings through, the contest was still in the balance midway through the second half when the Magpies scored twice in less than a minute to give themselves breathing space and a measure of control.

With the score locked at 1-1, and the visitors just starting to truly impose themselves on their hosts, United retook the lead when Brad Keetch's left-wing free kick was nodded goal wards by Ryan Upward in the 66th minute. The midfielder's header looked to be heading in past Craig King, but Ferdinand was there to make sure, stabbing the ball home on the line.

Then, direct from the kick-off, Maidenhead seized possession once again through the lively Reece Smith. He advanced on the penalty area before showing the presence of mind to roll the ball into the path of Ashley Nathaniel-George who slammed it past King to all but wrap the Magpies' progression to the next round. Hemel did manage to grab a second goal in second half stoppage time when Luke Holness finished emphatically following a fine team move from the hosts.

It was a more even affair in the first half, when United were pegged back by a terrific strike from Hemel's Dara Dada. The visitors took the lead in just the third minute, Cole Kpekawa rising high at the back post to nod the ball back across the face of goal for Ferdinand to sweep home under pressure. At that stage it looked like being a reasonably comfortable night for the Magpies, but the Tudors hit back through Dada's equaliser in the 17th minute.

United keeper Alexis Andre Jnr must have been unsighted as he was rooted to his spot as Dada lashed the ball into the bottom corner. He redeemed himself 10 minutes later, however, saving well from Luke Holness and Brooklyn Ilunga with the space of a few seconds. Holness' pace was causing problems for the backline and Will De Havilland picked up a yellow card for hacking him down as the forward looked to scamper away on goal. Fortunately, there were covering defenders.

United will visit the Daggers in the next round on Saturday, January 14. Dagenham hammered Uxbridge 5-1 on Tuesday evening. The winning side in round four will pocket £5,250 from the FA's Prize Fund.