Barratt on target at Oxford City as Maidenhead United finish pre-season unbeaten

Sam Barratt in the friendly at Oxford City. Credit: MUFC

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Oxford City 0, Maidenhead United 1

Maidenhead United should be heading into their first league game against Chesham United at York Road on Saturday full of confidence after rounding off pre-season with another friendly victory.

On Saturday, they edged out National League North outfit Oxford City 1-0 thanks to a goal late in the first half from Sam Barratt.

It was the Magpies fifth win from six unbeaten friendly matches in pre-season, and it should put the squad in good spirits heading into their National League South campaign.

The win at Oxford followed on from last Tuesday’s 2-1 home win over Eastleigh at York Road. The Spitfires were the second National League side Maidenhead have got the better of in pre-season, having also edged out Boreham Wood 3-2 the previous week.

Alan Devonshire’s much-changed squad also comfortably got the better of West Ham United’s u21s side 4-2 at York Road and defeated Flackwell Heath 4-0 at Wilks Park in their opening friendly.

A youthful Oxford United XI are the only team to have held the Magpies in pre-season, with the sides playing out a goalless stalemate behind closed doors at Oxford’s training ground last month.

However, for Devonshire and his backroom team these past few weeks have been about ensuring the players are fit and sharp enough for the new season and have a solid understanding of the way the manager wants them to play.

Saturday’s game at Oxford City wasn’t totally straightforward for the Magpies and a second half flashpoint saw Remy Clerima talk himself into a second half sending off for dissent following a head injury suffered by Will de Havilland.

Clerima forced the first real chance of the game when he connected with a cross and drew a decent save from City keeper Sam Lewis.

Barratt was causing problems on the flank and one of his dangerous crosses trickled just wide of the far post with Lewis well beaten.

On the half-hour mark, new club captain de Havilland flicked a header on which was begging to be touched home by someone in purple, but the ball flashed wide of the upright.

Oxford came into the game as it wore on with Jack Bearne testing Jordi van Stappershoef with a shot that he easily held, and Josh Parker smashed another attempt over the bar.

But, on the stroke of half-time, the Magpies took the lead slightly against the run of play. Jordon Ragguette’s lovely looping pass to the edge of the box was headed in by Barratt. The two showed a good understanding to carve open the City defence and that bodes well for the coming campaign.

Two of Maidenhead’s summer signings Josh Umerah and Josh Popoola - who signed last week after impressing on trial - made way for Corie Andrews and Liam Dulson at the interval. And the half almost opened with a bang as Barratt clattered the crossbar direct from a corner kick.

The main talking point of the half came when Clerima was booked twice in the space of a few seconds after voicing his frustration following a head injury suffered by de Havilland.

Clerima felt the game should have been stopped for his teammate to receive treatment and on receiving a yellow card, he was then immediately shown a red card after sarcastically applauding the referee’s decision.

As it was a pre-season friendly, United weren’t reduced to 10 men with Josh McMenemy entering the fray after Clerima was sent down the tunnel.

Trialist A and Noah Stewart also joined the Academy graduate for the last 20 minutes.

Oxford came close to a leveller in the final 10 minutes when a corner wasn’t properly dealt with and Bearne looked set to head home, only for van Stappershoef to snatch back possession before he could get a decisive touch.

Maidenhead’s National League South campaign begins on Saturday (August 9) when Chesham United are the visitors to York Road. Tickets can be purchased online with gold and silver members able to invite a friend for free.

Click here to buy tickets.

Magpies: van Stappershoef, Bartley (Stewart, 71’), Ragguette, de Havilland, Yearwood, Ferdinand, Umerah (Andrews, 46’), Clerima (McMenemy, 67’), Popoola (Dulson, 46’), Barratt, Dundas (Trialist A, 63’)