Acquah quenches thirst for goals in friendly and wants to keep on scoring
Striker Emile Acquah gave his confidence levels a boost by scoring in front of the Bell Street End in Maidenhead United’s 2-1 friendly defeat to Leyton Orient on Saturday.
The summer signing from Southend United looped the ball into the net on the volley, from Ryheem Sheckleford’s right-wing cross to bring the scores level in the second half.
At that stage Alan Devonshire’s Magpies were the better side, but the League 2 visitors snatched victory from the penalty spot in the closing stages.
United may have lost their opening two warm-up games to League opposition in MK Dons (3-1) and the
O’s, but there were plenty of positive signs on display for supporters on their return to York Road.
Reflecting on the performance, and his first strike for the club, albeit in a friendly, Acquah told Maidenhead’s Grace Scott: “It was a good battle, and it was good to get another set of minutes to help get my match fitness up.
“Training has been hard but very good, and it’s worth it because we need to get fit for the start of the season.
“It’s been hot, but you just have to get through it.
“It felt amazing (scoring in front of the supporters) and it’s a feeling I want to continue by scoring more goals this season.
“I just want to get as many goals as I can.”
There have been several changes to the Magpies squad this summer, and several notable departees including last season’s top scorer
Danilo Orsi-Dadomo, however, Acquah is determined to replace a portion of those goals and feels the squad is starting to gel.
“We’ve been working on a lot of patterns in training,” he said. “Off the left and off the right, getting an understanding of what individual players do. It’s good that we’re forming these relationships.”
Next up for the Magpies is a double-header at Staines Town (Saturday, July 31, 12pm kick-off) and Farnborough (Saturday, July 31, 3.30pm kick-off) this weekend before they welcome Reading u23s to York Road on Friday, August 6, 7.30pm kick-off), and AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday, August 17, 7.30pm kick-off. Tickets for the Reading u23s and AFC Bournemouth friendlies are available from the club’s website at £10 for adults and £5 for concessions, with u16s free.