Popoola's injury-time penalty earns Maidenhead United dramatic win over Maidstone

Maidenhead United 2, Maidstone United 1

Maidenhead United edged out one of their main rivals for a National League South play-off spot thanks to Josh Popoola’s dramatic injury-time penalty at York Road.

These two well matched sides appeared on course for a 1-1 draw which would have accurately reflected the balance of play.

But the Magpies snatched victory right at the death thanks to the perseverance of substitute Alfie Pendlebury and the coolness under pressure of Popoola.

The ball was lifted into the area for Pendlebury to fight for in the 91st minute and he managed to take control of it before being hauled to the ground.

The referee had little option but to point to the penalty spot, and Popoola managed to beat Maidstone keeper Lenny Holden, despite Holden getting a big hand to the ball before it bounced into the net.

Earlier in the game, Remy Clerima had given the Magpies a 20th minute lead, ghosting into the area to turn home Popoola’s corner at the near post.

The Magpies fought hard to hold onto that lead and might even have stretched their advantage when captain Will de Havilland headed onto the outside of the post early in the second half.

But Maidstone worked their way back into the game impressively and the lively Riley Court drilled home their equaliser in the 71st minute. For once, the Magpies back line switched off and Court was left in acres of space to take a touch and fire past Jordi Van Stappershoef.

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Maidstone United one,
Maidenhead United TWO! pic.twitter.com/5N32l9ef8Q

— Maidenhead United (@MUFCYorkRoad) March 7, 2026

There was little to choose between the teams in the opening half, with both fighting for the right to control the ball and territory. Maidstone started slightly brighter and went close when Jamie Yila fired into the side netting in the opening minutes.

But Maidenhead gradually began to impose themselves on their opponents, with central midfielders Matt Robinson and Clerima taking control of the central area.

Holden made a smart save from Miles Welch-Hayes first-time effort in the 11th minute, before Popoola played Liam Dulson through on goal in the 16th minute. The in-form forward seemed certain to score but his low shot came back off the post and Maidstone survived.

The goal this spell of pressure threatened did eventually arrive in the 20th minute when Clerima rose well to nod home Popoola’s corner. And the Magpies might have built on their advantage before the interval.

They had to be alert at the other end though, with Van Stappershoef making a huge stop from Yila on the half-hour mark after good interplay between him and Deon Moore.

Maidenhead continued to create the game’s better chances early in the second half, despite the game being very even in terms of possession and territory. In the 55th minute, Dulson lofted a ball to the back post where de Havilland headed the ball onto the outside of the post from a narrow angle.

Dulson, who was well marshalled by the Stones’ defence, then saw a rasping drive from distance turned away by Holden. The rebound fell kindly for Jayden Mitchell-Lawson, but he was quickly swamped by covering Stones defenders and his effort was deflected behind.

At this point, the Stones managed to turn the tide definitively in their direction. After probing down the flanks, they got back on terms in the 71st minute when a ball in from the left was misjudged by the Maidenhead defence and Court had all the time in the world to take a touch and beat Van Stappershoef.

It was a goal their overall play merited, and they pressed forward for a winner in the closing stages. Court was proving hard to pin down and he had two attempts that went close, one which was deflected into the arms of Van Stappershoef and another which he dragged wide in the 81st minute. Ruben Carvalho also saw a dipping effort brilliantly saved by the Maidenhead keeper, while second half substitute Hamzad Kargbo headed powerfully wide at the near post as the visitors built up a head of steam.

A draw felt about right for both sides, but Maidenhead managed to create one more opportunity and the Stones defence had to foul Pendlebury to prevent him from taking it. No matter, Popoola stepped up to score from the penalty spot, despite Holden’s best efforts, and he sent the home fans home happy.

The result lifts the Magpies to fifth in the table, now just four points off second placed Hornchurch. They also have game in hand over Ebbsfleet in fourth and Worthing in third.

They go to Worthing on Tuesday night hoping to keep their good form going. It will be tough though as their hosts have lost just once all season at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium all season.