Alan Devonshire: 'That's probably the best we've played at home'

Craig Ross celebrates Maidenhead United’s win over Solihull. Photo Credit: Maidenhead United FC

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Alan Devonshire hailed one of Maidenhead United’s best displays of the season as the Magpies dominated Saturday’s clash against Solihull Moors and held on for a 2-1 win. 

The victory saw Devonshire’s side do the double over Moors this season, after a similarly impressive display earned the Magpies a 2-1 away at the ARMCO Arena back in November. 

That display had probably been the Magpies’ best to date this season, however, Saturdays composed, controlled performance may just have topped it. 

Moors may have created a few openings in the final minutes, as they pressed to get back on terms in a game they’d been second best in, but there was nothing flukey about Maidenhead’s victory. 

With Moors not having played in a few weeks, they looked a little sluggish as Maidenhead pulled them one way and another in the first half. 

Jayden Mitchell-Lawson was particularly effective, darting down the right wing and whipping in a series of dangerous crosses. 

United took the lead in the 11th minute when Sam Barratt’s left-wing strike was spilled by keeper Nick Hayes into the path of Tobi Sho-Silva who tucked the ball home. 

United’s former golden boy, Josh Kelly, marked his return to York Road with a goal, but it failed to knock the Magpies off their stride as they set about dictating the tempo once again in the second half. 

And the winning goal from Barratt in the 68th minute was worth the entrance fee alone. The on-loan Magpies’ midfielder collected the ball on the left side of the Moors’ area and let fly with a low, bouncing shot that flashed past Hayes.

Reflecting on the game after the final whistle, Devonshire said: “We were good. The first half was probably the best we've played at home in a while.

“It was good to get the win today after Tuesday. We were disappointed on Tuesday. They (Solihull) haven't played for three weeks, and I think it does tell when you haven't had a break.

“We had that on Tuesday night when we were just a little bit rusty, but I thought we played very well today.”

On Barratt's match-winning strike, Devonshire added: “That's what Sam does.  That is what he can do for us. I was delighted for him because he worked so hard, but the whole team worked hard.

“Jayden (Mitchell-Lawson) has just come back from injury, and I thought he was really good, but they all did their bit today.

“Sam Beckwith has also headed one off the line. Listen, they're a good team, we know that because they're fourth in the league. But today, we deserved what we got.”

Moors threw caution to the wind in the closing stages, but thankfully Maidenhead held on for their eighth win of the season. With rivals around them in the table also winning, it was a crucial three points for the Magpies who move up to 14th in the table and have put three more teams between themselves and the drop zone. 

Just 10 points currently separate Hartlepool United in 12th and bottom of the table Oxford City, and no team from 11th down can breathe especially easy as the campaign heads into its final three months. United head to 19th placed York City on Saturday. 

On what doing the double over Solihull could mean for their survival hopes season, Devonshire added: “It's just six points, that's all. The confidence should come anyway. But listen, we've now got three hard away games and we've got to get some points from them. We go to York; we go to Wealdstone, and we go to Boreham Wood.

“We've been doing alright. Defensively, we've been sound lately and a lot of the boys are coming back from injury now so I will have near enough a full squad to pick from.”

A contrasting opinion came from his opposite number in the dug-out Andy Whing, who felt Moors should have won the game 'comfortably'.

“We’ve spurned some chances and on another day, I think we take them and win the game comfortably. But fair play to them, they’ve done what they needed to do and have won the game. We’ll have to get rid of this disappointment quickly and move on.”