Popoola provides spark as Magpies turn up the heat on play-off rivals

Josh  Umerah with Josh Popoola. Photo: Darren Woolley/MUFC

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Hampton & Richmond Borough 1, Maidenhead United 3

Maidenhead United have lifted themselves to within a place and a point of the play-off places after deservedly picking up all three points on their trip to the Beveree.

With league rivals out of action due to FA Trophy commitments, this was a chance for the Magpies to steal a march on the teams above them – and they did so in some style.

Having comfortably and deservedly overcome leaders Hornchurch in their first match since the departure of long-term manager Alan Devonshire, the Magpies were looking to continue their recent good form under interim management duo Ryan Peters and Aaron O’Brien.

The pair made one change to the side from their mid-week county cup exit to Reading Academy, with Brentford u21s loanee Chanse Headman coming into the side for the injured Will de Havilland.

And it didn’t take him long to make an impact in west London. The game was only 12 minutes old when the ball found its way to him in the penalty area from Remy Clerima’s header, and the centre half slammed the Magpies ahead.

A chaotic opening had already seen Jordi Van Stappershoef forced into an early save, while Liam Dulson and Jordon Ragguette had also fired narrowly wide for the Magpies in the opening minutes.

Josh Popoola is already a contender for the Magpies’ player of the season – certainly the signing of the summer – and he furthered his credentials with a stunning strike to make it 2-0 in the 19th minute. There looked to be little on when the forward picked the ball up 25 yards out, but he turned and slammed a shot into the back of Rowley’s net via the underside of the crossbar.

The goal was a hammer blow to Hampton’s hopes of getting something from their first match under new boss Alan Dowson, but they responded well with Van Stappershoef saving well from Rodari’s free kick in the 24th minute, the Dutch stopper keeping out the initial attempt before reacting well to push away the follow up.

Popoola had Rowley scrambling across his goal again on the half-hour mark as he cut inside his man and sent a low left-footed shot into the side netting, but the Magpies were well worth their two-goal cushion heading into the break.

It didn’t take long for two goals to become three in the second half, with Popoola once again working his magic on the left and sending in a low cross that Josh Umerah diverted home on the slide in the 47th minute.

United remained a threat on the counterattack, particularly down the flanks as Hampton attempted, in vain, to press forward and get back into the match. Dulson cut in onto his favoured right foot after a surging run from the left, but he couldn’t quite keep his shot on target in the 66th minute.

The home side were then reduced to 10 men when Mike Atkinson was dismissed for an ugly late lunge on Umerah in the 70th minute, further hampering the home side’s dwindling hopes. Against, 10 men, the Magpies pressed for a fourth goal, with Asher Yearwood side-footing narrowly wide and Dulson going close in a matter of moments. His first attempt was blocked by a last-ditch challenge, but he was able to recover and send another shot goalwards that was blocked by the outstretched leg of Rowley.

United rested a few weary legs in the final 20 minutes and lost a little of the control they had on the game. Rohan Silva grabbed a goal back for Hampton in the 82nd minute, but with time running out it was only ever going to be a consolation.

The result saw the Magpies rise to eighth in the table, a point and a place outside the play-off places. Next week, they make the short trip to Hemel Hempstead Town where a victory would lift Peters’ side above their hosts and likely into the top seven once again.

This run of form – four league wins and counting – was unimaginable just a few weeks ago when supporters were losing patience with the team and the manager after a run of eight games without a win. Just goes to show how quickly things can turn in football, but Peters and O’Brien will be aiming to maintain this level of consistency for as long as possible.

Ryan Peters reviews this afternoon's 3-1 victory over Hampton & Richmond ️

(ft. Miles rather happy with the win or his captain's armband! ) pic.twitter.com/TQbPyjVk6H

— Maidenhead United (@MUFCYorkRoad) December 13, 2025