Beaming Peters reflects on a very merry Christmas for Maidenhead fans
Expressing happiness after Maidenhead United games hasn’t been a very regular occurrence for assistant boss Ryan Peters (right), but he was beaming from ear to ear after Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Bromley.
Having effectively stifled their promotion chasing visitors in the first half, they turned defence into attack for a spell in the second half and Nathan Blissett headed home the game’s only goal.
In truth they may have had more. Peters agreed that Josh Kelly should have scored with the young forward failing to take several presentable chances, but his hard working display ensured he was in the mix for the man-of-the-match honour. He also saved some praise for the ‘big man’ alongside him who bagged the goal which earned the Magpies a fifth win of the season and a result that lifted them out of the relegation zone.
Peters said: “I’m really, really happy and that’s not something I’ve been able to say for a while. Christmas came and we had a good time, but we were wondering what we were going to be like today given everything that has gone on. So, it’s been a very good Christmas after that performance.
“We had to be smart today. We knew we couldn’t go pressing everywhere due to the fitness of the boys and how some that haven’t trained all week. We knew if we stayed in the game in the first half, we’d focus on attack in the second half. Maybe we rode our luck a few times but for the most part, we were resilient.
“In the second half, we had Josh Kelly, we had Dylan (Asonganyi), and other players running at their back three. They couldn’t handle us, and that goal was bound to arrive. Yes, he (Josh Kelly) had several chances where on another day, you would at least expect him to work the goalkeeper. But he’s been in good form so he’s probably going to kick himself for that.
“A lot can be said for Josh today, but without the big man beside him (Nathan Blissett) who occupied most of their centre-halves, we wouldn’t have won. They were so worried about him that Josh was able to run around. He was really good, he scared the living daylights out of the back three, but they were equally worried about Blissett. They work really well together and long may that continue.”
Inspired by the victory, Peters is optimistic the Magpies can give Wealdstone ‘a right go’ this weekend and should they have anything close to the crowd which attended on Tuesday, another three points could be on the cards.
“The fans were immense,” said the assistant manager. “We weren’t sure because of COVID what we were going to have today. But they came out in their droves as usual, spurred us on as usual, and you’re right, we’ve got to give it a right go against Wealdstone on Sunday.”