Robinson’s stoppage-time 'worldie' completes Maidenhead fightback at Horsham

Matt Robinson

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Horsham 1, Maidenhead United 2

Matt Robinson scored a stoppage time ‘worldie’ as Maidenhead United came from behind to beat Horsham in their own back yard this afternoon (Saturday).

The Magpies were looking for a response following last week’s disappointing Boxing Day defeat to rivals Slough Town, and Ryan Peters certainly got that in the second half at the Fusion Aviation Community Stadium.

The first half was a tale of two penalties, with Horsham scoring theirs through James Hammonmd in the 26th minute, and Maidenhead missing theirs, when Carey saved Liam Dulson’s stoppage-time spot-kick.

Peters hadn’t been happy with the Magpies performance throughout that laboured first 45 minutes, but he rang the changes five minutes after the interval when Josh Umerah was brought on to beef up the visitors attack in place of Owen Cochrane.

It led to United having a period of sustained pressure on the Horsham goal. There were loud shouts for a penalty for handball in the 52nd minute after Josh Popoola had forced a corner kick for the visitors. And the leveller came just a few minutes later when Popoola got to the byline and whipped the ball to the back post where Miles Welch-Hayes was lurking and able to nod home.

Goals change games, and the Magpies were far more of a threat after dragging themselves level.

With Horsham under the cosh the chances started to mount up. Popoola’s delivery into the area in the 63rd minute was flicked on for Will de Havilland, but the Magpies captain couldn’t keep his volley down and the effort flashed over the bar.

Popoola then danced his way into the area in the 65th minute and appeared to be impeded by Horsham, but his only reward was a corner kick.

Looking to make an impact from the bench Umerah fired straight at Carey in the 68th minute after latching onto another dangerous ball from Popoola.

Horsham also had their moments, with Lucas Rodrigues sending an acrobatic effort narrowly wide in the 73rd minute. But Maidenhead had the edge over their hosts in the second half and had the better chances to win the game.

Carey fumbled a shot from Popoola wide at his near post in the 81st minute and Umerah sent another snapshot flashing just wide.

But United had another ace up their sleeve in Robinson. Having tried his luck from distance in the 24th minute with an effort that Carey collected comfortably, the Magpies midfielder threw caution to the wind once again in stoppage time with a wonderful volley that flew into the top corner.

Sizing up his options from the edge of the area, Robinson chose against playing the ball wide and keeping possession in favour of having a pop at goal. His volley  - described as a worldie by Maidenhead’s media team on X - flew into the top corner and earned the Magpies all three points.

For the second time this season, United had come from behind in the second half for a 2-1 win over Horsham. 

It lifts the Magpies to 10th in the table, now just two points outside of the play-offs. They next host ninth placed Ebbsfleet United at York Road on Tuesday evening, looking for a win that could lift them back into the play-offs.

Relegated alongside the Magpies last season, Fleet go into the game a point and a place above the Magpies with a game in hand.

"I'm gonna be honest I was asking him to rotate the ball and go wide, and I'm glad he didn't listen to me and took the shot!"

Ryan Peters shares his post-match thoughts after Kama's wonder strike and this afternoon's 2-1 victory at Horsham ️ pic.twitter.com/nJtfAAMMW7

— Maidenhead United (@MUFCYorkRoad) January 3, 2026