Magpies fend off the Iron at home
Maidenhead United FC: Devonshire’s men defeat Scunthorpe United 3-2
Maidenhead United staved off a fiery comeback to open their account in the National League at the expense of never-say-die Scunthorpe United on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Emile Acquah, Will De Havilland, and Kane
Ferdinand handed the Magpies a comfortable 3-0 lead at half-time.
But a penalty converted by Joe Nuttall three minutes into the second half, followed by a second goal in the dying embers meant it was more than the heat making the York Road faithful sweat.
Cool-as-ice boss Alan Devonshire, however, appeared unfazed by the scoreline.
“We were excellent. We put a lot of work in after the Notts County game and it paid off today,” he told the Advertiser.
“We scored some top goals and could maybe have scored even more today. I’m delighted. Three points in this league is massive.”
Scunthorpe began this contest on the front foot with Nuttall freely getting his head to a cross in the second minute, the ball drifting just wide of the post.
Maidenhead’s first chance fell to midfielder Ryan Upward who, after wriggling free from a defensive challenge, struck a tame effort into Marcus Dewhurst.
In the 15th minute, Magpies stopper Dan Gyollai had to be on his toes to tip the ball over the crossbar after it ricocheted off Sam Beckwith from a Scunthorpe cross.
But, following a quick drinks break in the 27th minute, the side got their noses in front – Koby Arthur sending in a low cross with Acquah applying the instinctive finish.
Minutes later, the Iron were presented with a couple of corners but their subsequent efforts
on goal were dealt with by Gyollai, Cole Kpekawa, and De Havilland.
And it was the latter who doubled Maidenhead’s lead in the 36th minute, converting a low cross sent in from the left side.
Ferdinand nipped in at the near post to score a third just before half-time, assisted by a Sam Barratt corner, as the Magpies were in dreamland.
However, re-energised by a double change at half-time, the Iron quickly hit back – Nuttall winning a spot kick before dispatching it into Gyollai’s top left corner.
The ‘keeper made amends by keeping out an effort from Marcus Carver from close range, and again in the 69th minute when he stifled the Iron substitute’s effort with his feet.
Such pressure, however, eventually bore fruit for the National League newcomers when Nuttall nodded in Mason O’Malley’s floated cross three minutes from full-time to set up a tense finale.
But, with great resilience, Devonshire’s men wound down the clock by the Iron’s corner flag, much to the distaste of the visitors but satisfaction of the home support.