Boss wants Spirerites win to ‘be the benchmark’
Maidenhead United boss Alan Devonshire hopes Saturday’s 2-0 win over Chesterfield can be the benchmark performance for the rest of the campaign as the Magpies go chasing a play-off finish.
United have, in Devonshire’s words, had some ‘hiccup’ results of late, losing 4-2 at home to Aldershot Town and 2-1 away to Dagenham and Redbridge.
A series of postponements have also seen them slip down the National League table, but this week they showed the team-ethic and quality to come roaring back into contention, starting at home to Chesterfield on Saturday and following it up with a 4-1 win over Torquay United.
In form Chesterfield arrived at York Road as the form side in the division, but you wouldn’t have known it as the Magpies swept them aside with goals in either half from Nathan Blissett – his second in three matches – and Dan Sparkes. The second goal followed an excellent team move and Devonshire couldn’t hide his delight or praise for the players after the final whistle. It was, he said, their best home display of the season. That is until Torquay United came to town on Tuesday evening at least.
“It was definitely our best one here,” he said.
“I thought we deserved to win 2-0. We played well and there were a couple of really good finishes from us as well. I’m delighted with how we played in bad conditions, in a swirling wind. We played the conditions better than they did, and we looked the team that was in good form to be fair.”
United had slipped to 15th ahead of Saturday's game, thanks to a series of indifferent results and performances, but this was much more like it from Devonshire’s men, and the manager will be desperately hoping they can replicate this kind of form between now and the end of the campaign. If they do they’ll have an excellent chance of reeling in the sides above them for a play-off spot.
“Credit to the boys, they’ve defended well today as a group,” he said. “We’ve now got to make sure we push on. I thought we dominated and did really well. After a couple of hiccups, we’re back on track with that performance, and I’ve got a few boys back from injury as well which helps. It shows you that when I’ve got the squad to choose from, and they’re all fit, we’re decent.
“I don’t think you could pick a man-of-the-match; it would be harsh on them all.
“They all gave 8/10 performances or whatever. Taye’s had some shots to save from 20 yards, but I’d expect him to make those, and it’s not like we’ve had loads of ball flashing across our box and that.
“At 2-0, it’s a funny score because the next goal could change it, but we’ve played really well and managed the game well. I can’t speak highly enough of them, so I hope they enjoy their weekend and we’ll be back in on Monday. We want the fans to come back and see us play like that. We’re itching for them to come back and to see we’ve improved from last year and are pushing on.”