Peters hopes Maidenhead United can harness momentum from win over Minstermen – Photo 1 of 1

Charles Adams. Photo: Maidenhead United FC

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Maidenhead United assistant boss Ryan Peters is hoping the Magpies can use the momentum gained from Saturday’s impressive win at York City to move further up the National League table.

The Magpies remain seven points clear of the last four after winning 2-1 this weekend, but in a crowded table they are now back within seven points of play-off places and look ahead to next Saturday’s tough-looking game ahead at Bromley.

Should they pull off another away win against the Ravens, they could potentially be looking back at the table rather than over their shoulders after a period of indifferent results and performances.

Academy product Reece Smith was involved in both goals on Saturday, working his way down the touchline before meeting Ashley Nathaniel-George to put United ahead in the first half and pressure from the Minstermen In after the weather early on in the second half he laid down an indirect free-kick for Cole Kpekawa who – via a fairly substantial deflection – hammered home to give the Magpies a two-goal lead midway through the second half. John-Lewis scored a goal in the closing stages but Alan Devonshire’s side stood their ground in the closing stages – something that hasn’t quite come naturally to them in recent weeks.

.@reece_smith2002It’s going down to the right

The Magpies Academy graduate provided both assists over the weekend. pic.twitter.com/ZFBLV76CoI

— Maidenhead United (@MUFCYorkRoad)
January 30, 2023

That win – their first in the league in 10 weeks – moves them up to 16th in the table, level with York City on 32 points, ahead of the trip to Bromley next Saturday. United also have the trifle of a Berks & Bucks Senior Cup tie against Marlow at home tomorrow night (Tuesday), with Hungerford Town awaiting the winner in the quarter-finals.

Speaking to United media spokeswoman Grace Scott after the final whistle, Peters said: “It was an amazing performance. They had two phases, one in the first half and maybe one in the first 10 minutes of the second half, but after that I felt we handled the game particularly well.

“They threw everything at us in the final seconds and we handled it really well. We were definitely worth the win.

“The Gaffer has a force he believes in and we’ll be sure to stand by them. The results have been indifferent lately but they did everything they could to try and change things and we did today. We now have a full period ahead of us but we need to use this win to help us move up the league.”

He added: “We don’t want breaks, we want to keep going as much as possible, but this break has allowed us to discuss a few things and make changes where necessary.

“We got into the game well today and were positive from the start. We were good today.

“We’ll see how the boys do, but we’ll train as usual on Monday. We will not rest on our laurels. We want to go and make sure we put in another good shift on Tuesday and of course momentum breeds momentum and we will go ahead and try to get another win.

Of the 101 fans who made the journey to the LNER Community Stadium – including the Maidenhead Advertiser’s Shay Bottomley in his last away game before his move to Canada – Peters added: “It was a great atmosphere from both fan groups but we could still hear ours 10 minutes after the game all the boys sing songs.

“It’s amazing, they’re doing everything they can to come and support us, they travel miles to support us and we love them, we love them very much.”

To wish him well on his move to Canada, Shay was presented with a Maidenhead United shirt signed by all the players before kick-off.

We all wish you the best in Canada, Shay! #WeAreMaidenhead https://t.co/FCDizSOt9k pic.twitter.com/A2jlYSC4JM

— Maidenhead United (@MUFCYorkRoad)
January 28, 2023