Match Report: Maidenhead United
With both Nathan Harness and Muhammadu Faal suffering injuries in midweek, George Elokobi was forced into changing the starting line up. Lenny Holden came in for Harness and Faal was replaced by Deon Moore.
Early on, Popoola was tripped not far outside of the box. Josh Umerah took the free-kick and it went past the right post.
Shortly after, Popoola delivered a corner onto the head of Remy Clerima whose header dropped to Miles Welch-Hayes and Holden gathered the ball at the second attempt.
By now, Maidenhead were on top and they came close to opening the scoring on 16 minutes. Popoola put Liam Dulson in and his shot struck the inside of the left post.
Then on 20 minutes, the Magpies made the breakthrough. Josh Umerah’s free-kick deflected behind for a corner. Popoola’s cross came to Remy Clerima who headed into the net.
Maidstone’s best chance of the half came nine minutes later. Moore slipped in Yila who went for power rather than placement and he smashed the ball against Jordi Van Stappershoef. This was to be Yila’s last meaningful involvement as he was substituted for John Gilbert on 38 minutes.
Early on in the second half, Maidenhead came within inches of doubling their lead. Liam Dulson crossed for Will De Havilland whose header struck the post.
Holden then made a decent save to push away a shot from Dulson before the Stones started to look more threatening. A cross from Gilbert lead to a scramble in the box and Sam Corne hit a shot down into the ground which bounced not far over the bar.
But with 71 minutes played, Maidstone equalised. Substitute Ruben Carvalho passed to Leo Hamblin whose cross into the box eventually claimed to Court who drove a fierce finish past Jordi Van Stappershoef.
Moments later, Carvalho hit a lovely curling effort which looked bound for the top right hand corner. Van Stappershoef was equal to it though and he clawed the ball away from goal. Gilbert then crossed for substitute Hamzad Kargbo and his header thumped wide.
However, Maidenhead were to snatch a winner three minutes into stoppage time. Taylor Foran was adjudged to have fouled substitute Alfie Pendlebury inside the box. Popoola put the penalty to Holden’s left and although the Maidstone keeper got his hand to it, the ball looped up and crept into the net.
Maidenhead United: Remy Clerima 20, Joshua Popoola (pen) 90+3
Maidstone United: Riley Court 71
Maidenhead United: 22. Jordi Van Stappershoef, 2. Ryan Bartley (8. Asher Yearwood 81), 3. Jordan Ragguette, 4. Will De Havilland, 5. Miles Welch-Hayes (7. Dillon De Silva 77), 11. Jayden Mitchell-Lawson (30. Emmanuel Onariase 71), 12. Matt Robinson, 15. Josh Umerah (21. Alfie Pendlebury 77), 17. Liam Dulson, 20. Remy Clerima, 23. Joshua Popoola (24. Siju Odelusi 90+4). Subs not used: 1. Harvey Collins, 19. Owen Cochrane.
Maidstone United: 13. Lenny Holden, 3. Leo Hamblin, 5. George Fowler, 6. TJ Bramble, 7. Jephte Tanga (2. David Sesay 83), 8. Sam Corne (23. Hamzad Kargbo 66), 9. Deon Moore (19. Ruben Carvalho 66), 11. Jamie Yila (10. John Gilbert 38), 15. David Agbontohoma, 17. Riley Court, 24. Taylor Foran. Subs not used: 30. Chris Swift.