Magpies trounce High-flying Gulls
Maidenhead United FC: Blissett scores a brace as Devonshire's
Maidenhead United 4, Torquay United 1 Maidenhead United reclaimed a spot in the top half of the National League table after thumping high-flying Torquay United 4-1 at York Road on Tuesday evening.
Josh Coley, Nathan Blissett (two), and Danilo Orsi-Dadomo were all on target in a comprehensive victory that lifts the Magpies into 10th place in the league with games in hand over many of the sides above them.
It was a contest largely dominated by Alan Devonshire’s men who were without George Wells, Remy Clerima, and Dan Sparkes. Instead, Ryheem Sheckleford, Orsi-Dadomo, and Seth Twumasi were brought into the line-up with the latter proving a stellar replacement in the backline.
The Magpies had themselves in the ascendancy just five minutes into this encounter when Coley latched onto a curled ball from James Comley and volleyed it into the back of the net with precision.
Billy Waters had the opportunity to level the score in the 16th minute but could only sail his shot way over the bar from Arman Little’s cross. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans went close next but his effort too whistled past the woodwork.
Maidenhead were forced to scramble clear a series of closer chances just after the half hour mark as the visitors piled on the pressure in the final stages of the first half. But just as Torquay looked destined for the equaliser, the Magpies struck again.
Upon receiving the ball on the left side, Comley rolled the ball into Twumasi who delivered an inviting cross to the far post where Orsi-Dadomo had the poise to head the ball neatly into Blissett’s path who made no mistake doubling the hosts’ advantage. The score 2-0 at the break.
The Magpies had the ball in the back of the net within five minutes of the restart after Twumasi displayed some excellent footwork along the byline to hand Blissett his second of the game. It couldn’t have been an easier
goal for the Magpies’ striker to tap home, and it was the defender’s assist that deserved all the credit.
An impressive save from Shaun MacDonald may have denied Blissett his hattrick shortly after, but the Torquay keeper was powerless to preventing Orsi-Dadomo’s effort, as the forward dispatched Maidenhead’s fourth with a rifled effort into the top corner in the 54th minute.
The linesman spared the Gulls’ blushes just after the hour mark after Orsi-Dadomo got on the end of Taye Ashby-Hammond’s long ball and had the confidence to lob over MacDonald, before substitute Olaf Koszela called Ashby-Hammond into action down the other end.
Chances were at a premium as the game entered its final 15 minutes, with Maidenhead looking to add the luxury of a clean sheet to their bounty of goals. However, the persistence of Gary Johnson’s men paid off as Scott Boden won and converted a spot kick on the stroke of full-time to gift his side some reward for their efforts.
After the game, man-of-the-match Blissett said: “As a team, we've done brilliant over the last week or so and really hit our stride. The games have come thick and fast and we've handled it very well as a squad.
“People have been out today but those who have come in, have done a job. Everyone is running and going the extra yard for each other.
“There is a lot of confidence in the squad and it is showing on the pitch.”
On fans returning, the forward added: “We can't wait until they are back in here. It's soon going to come and I can't wait to play in front of them all, and hopefully, get some more wins.”
Maidenhead United (4-4-2): Ashby-Hammond 7, Sheckleford 7, Parry 6, Massey 7, Twumasi 8, Upward 7, Ince 7, Comley 8 (77' Keetch 7), Coley 8 (71' Barratt 7), Orsi-Dadomo 8 (81' Kelly 6), Blissett 8. Subs not used: Wiltshire, Smith.