Dulson strikes again as 'patient' Maidenhead United punish Dagenham & Redbridge

Liam Dulson finds the net against Dagenham. Photo: Darren Woolley

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Maidenhead United had to show a little patience as they held off promotion rivals Dagenham & Redbridge for a deserved 2-0 home win on Saturday.

On the face of it, there was little to choose between the teams in a match that ebbed and flowed. But Maidenhead were largely in control of proceedings and they clinically took the two clear cut chances which fell their way in the 10th and 88th minutes.

In between the goals they were solid and resilient in defence and hard-working in midfield and attack. This wasn’t the fluent Magpies side who tore apart Bath City or Salisbury earlier in the season, but they were robust and hard to beat.

They also handled everything Dagenham could throw at them in what was an excellent defensive display.

Josh Umerah was the man to fire the hosts in front, scoring against his old club in the 10th minute. He held off his marker well, showing great strength and sharpness to poke the ball past Sam Howes from Liam Dulson’s cross.

There was only ever going to be one man to open the scoring... Josh Umerah ‍ pic.twitter.com/sZBHj0N5vX

— Maidenhead United (@MUFCYorkRoad) February 22, 2026

Both teams had a few half chances before the break, with Dulson firing another attempt just over the bar late in the period. Remy Clerima came close with a couple of headed opportunities early in the second period, the second well held by Howes.

But as the home side looked to protect the lead they had, Dagenham came back into the game. Substitute Dylan Stephenson dragged a presentable opportunity wide of Jordi Van Stappershoef’s right hand post in the 76th minute and Joe Haigh missed an arguably better chance in the 86th minute when he failed to turn the ball home at the far post after a cross from the left had evaded substitute Alfie Pendlebury.

Pendlebury had a positive impact for the Magpies after coming on in the second half, but it was another replacement, Dillon De Silva, who laid on the assist for Maidenhead’s second. Running onto a pass from Asher Yearwood the on-loan Sutton United midfielder swept in a low cross that Dulson hammered home emphatically.

Liam Dulson reaping the rewards of tireless pressing late on pic.twitter.com/gkoNwep5lE

— Maidenhead United (@MUFCYorkRoad) February 22, 2026

The result moves the Magpies to within three points of the play-offs and the race for a top seven finish looks set to be an intriguing one with several teams in and around Ryan Peters’ side in good form.

After scoring his 11th of the season, the in-form Dulson said: “They are a good side. They’re just below us in the table so it was important we come out today with a good result.

“I thought we did well as a team. Defensively we were really strong, and we took our chances when we had them. It was good to get a 2-0 win against that sort of team.

“Defensively we were solid today and in games like that, when it’s back and forth, you’ve just got to be patient and wait for your chances. When they come you’ve just got to take them. Josh has taken his chance, and I’ve had one late and I managed to take that as well. You’ve just got to be patient.

“It’s always good to go 1-0 up in a game like that. But you also must focus well as a team to ensure you don’t concede. You don’t want to throw the game away. I thought we stayed really compact and did well to keep it at 1-0 until half-time. Second half we pushed on and managed to get another one.

Yeah, it’s good to see Dillon out on the pitch because he hasn’t been here long. I think both subs came on and had an impact. Alfie (Pendlebury) came on as well and did well. That’s what you want as a striker.”

On his goal scoring form this season, he added: “That’s 11 for the season. It should be more, but I’m happy with 11. We’ve just got to win as many games as we can, and we’ll take it one game at a time. We’ll see where we’re at come the end of the season. 100 per cent. If we play like we did today I think we’ll beat most teams here.”

Maidenhead are back at home tomorrow (Tuesday) against 17th placed Salisbury, where they’ll be hoping for a carbon copy performance and result to when the sides met at The Raymond McEnhill Stadium in November. Umerah and Dulson were also on target as the Magpies ran riot in that game, one of Alan Devonshire’s last as manager. Josh Popoola also scored twice, with Will de Havilland and Noah Stewart also on the scoresheet in the Magpies’ biggest win of the season so far.