'Nowhere near our best' — Peters reflects on Maidenhead's fourth straight win

Miles Welch-Hayes and Harry Pritchard celebrate Saturday’s win. Photo: MUFC/ Darren Woolley

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Ryan Peters felt Maidenhead United were ‘nowhere near their best’ in Saturday’s 3-1 win at Hampton & Richmond Borough – but he was insistent that’s not him being arrogant.

United chalked up their fourth straight win in the league and bounced back from their mid-week Berks & Bucks Senior Cup exit to Reading Academy, but there were elements of the display Peters wasn’t satisfied with.

It was though still a thoroughly deserved victory for the Magpies, who’ve found a rich vein of form since Alan Devonshire announced he was stepping down as manager.

Since he told the chairman of his decision, the Magpies have been the form side in the division, smashing Salisbury 6-0 and Chippenham Town in Dev’s final matches, before continuing to dominate their opponents as they beat leaders Hornchurch 2-0 at York Road.

Peters wasn’t sure how the Beavers would perform in their first match since Alan Dowson replaced Alan Julian as manager – fearing the ‘new manager bounce’ at the Beveree.

But he needn’t have worried. Despite not being at their best at times in the first half, they took the lead in the 12th minute when loan signing Chanse Headman smashed home from close range after Remy Clerima’s header wasn’t dealt with by the home side’s defence.

Hampton had created some decent chances in the opening 20 minutes, so the visitors needed Josh Popoola’s thunderbolt in the 19th minute – which cannoned in off the crossbar to make it 2-0.

Josh Umerah dived to head home Popoola’s cross early in the second half to stretch their lead, and they were able to withstand Hampton’s valiant fightback in the final stages after Ronan Silva scored an 82nd minute consolation. This came after substitute Mike Atkinson was shown a straight red following an ugly challenge on Umerah.

Speaking with Scott Hargreaves after the final whistle, Peters said: “Yeah, we’re happy. Three points is what we were after.

“We had to perform well. New manager, so we weren’t entirely sure how Hampton were going to be today because of the new manager bounce. Especially after they signed a few players.

“We just had to wait for the game and hope that in the moment our players would be good enough and, in the end, they were more than good enough.

Popoola’s strike midway through the first half is already a contender for Maidenhead’s goal of the season. Peters said afterwards it was very welcome as the Magpies were going through a tricky spell with Hampton trying to wrest back control.

“We were 1-0 up at the time, but I didn’t think we were playing that well. So, for him to hit that strike just gave us a bit more confidence,” he said.

“It’s nowhere near our best performance, and that’s not arrogance. If we’re not better in certain areas, we will come unstuck. Nevertheless, a fantastic goal and we’re happy with the victory.

“We’ve had spells where we’ve gone six wins in a row, so why can’t we do that again. It’s going to be another tough test next week, and we’ve got to make sure that we’re ready for that. We’ve got a few niggles in the camp, but we’ll manage that appropriately and look forward to the next game.

The Magpies’ travelling support also helped their team manage a difficult final 10 minutes, lifting their spirits with some Christmas songs! Saturday’s win lifts the Magpies to eighth in the table, just a point outside the play-off places. The team took full advantage of rivals being in FA Trophy action, and Peters hopes their work in training this week will help them maintain this good form at sixth placed Hemel Hempstead Town this weekend.

“Yeah absolutely, they were fantastic,” he said. “I heard (them singing) some Christmas songs as well. They’re incredibly valuable to us and you’re right, it got a little bit nervy? I’m not so sure, but it was a goal that we didn’t need to concede and when that happens, it gives the other team the impetus and our fans were fantastic at that point.”

“The week won’t look too similar. There were some boys who’ve just come back from injury or flu and we’re going to have to up the load where we possibly can and that’s where Harry (Pritchard) and Ryan (Bartley) become important.

“For some of our other boys, Monday will be more of a rest day. We’re going to prepare well for our next game. The analysis will be on show, and we’ll look to see where we can exploit weaknesses”