Upward encouraged by Magpies’ hunger for victory
Despite having already secured their status in the National League for another season, Maidenhead United midfielder Ryan Upward was pleased to see his side battling for victory over Aldershot Town on bank holiday Monday. In theory the Magpies have relatively little to play for, having mathematically wrapped up survival with their 2-0 victory over Weymouth on Good Friday (April 15).
However, they played as if their lives depended on it against the Shots and were mightily unfortunate not to register their 13th league win of the season.
Tallying up six shots before the interval, Alan Devonshire’s men could, and probably should, have held a larger advantage at the break. Goals from Dan Sparkes and Emile Acquah gave them a narrow 2-1 lead but, as fatigue set in during the second half, Aldershot were able to claw their way back into contention and claim a share of the spoils.
“We should’ve won the game,” Upward said afterwards. “We were very well organised in the first half and had a lot of chances,” said the midfielder. “But it’s one of those ones – we played Saturday, and we’ve played today, and it started to impact us.
“It got a bit sloppy in the second half. Our energy levels dropped and our quality on the ball wasn’t as good. But we got a draw, and that’s six unbeaten now. It’s frustrating to lose but we must go onto the next one now.”
“There’s obviously nothing to play for but it was good to see us still battling and wanting to win.”
Upward added: “We’ve got a few days off now so it’s just a case of keeping everyone fit. It would’ve been nice to have near enough a full squad like this earlier in the season when we weren’t having a good run.
“Sometimes throughout this season we haven’t been able to field the players we wanted to and in the right positions too.
“We were quite short on the right side against Torquay United on Saturday when Raz (Ryheem Sheckleford) got injured so Shaun (Donnellan), at centre-mid, had to go right back.
“Luckily, Remy (Clerima) was fit for today or we would have really been struggling in that position.”