United master game plan
Maidenhead United FC: Alan Devonshire’s tactics pay off against Altrincham as Magpies rise to fifth place
Boss Alan Devonshire was delighted to see his game plan executed to a tee as Maidenhead United beat Altrincham 2-0 at York Road on Tuesday night.
The Magpies followed up their impressive weekend win over National League new boys Scunthorpe United with a performance built on discipline and organisation.
The hosts took the lead in bizarre fashion as Altrincham goalkeeper Dermot Mee, signed on an emergency loan from Manchester United hours before the game, miscontrolled a lofted backpass with one of his first touches.
The 19-year-old’s blunder was capitalised on by veteran striker Adrian Clifton who robbed the young stopper of possession before rolling the ball into an empty net.
Even the best laid gameplans couldn’t have accounted for such a slice of fortune.
But, the Magpies ensured they did not squander their early advantage and defended resolutely before Shawn McCoulsky sealed the win with a welltaken breakaway goal in the 89th minute.
Devonshire told the Advertiser: “At the end of the day we wanted to build on what we did Saturday and it was important we got a good result today and make it harder for people to come here.
“It was fully deserved, we worked our nuts off and it was a totally disciplined performance.
“As much as they had the ball, we were disciplined, we knew what we
needed to do and it’s nice when a plan works.”
New defensive recruits Zico Asare and Cole Kpekawa looked assured in Maidenhead’s new-look back four with Asare in particular managing to contain the threat of lively Altrincham
winger Ryan Colclough.
Colclough thought he’d won the visitors a penalty just after the half-hour mark as he ghosted past Asare before tumbling to the ground.
But, after a nervous pause for the York Road crowd, referee James
Durkin awarded a free-kick to Maidenhead and instead booked an incredulous Colclough for diving.
Clifton could have doubled the hosts’ lead just before the break when he muscled his way onto the ball on the half-way line but he could only drag his shot wide.
Manchester United academy prospect Mee showed his qualities as he tipped over a goalbound header from Ryan Upward in the 53rd minute.
His counterpart Dan Gyollai was kept largely quiet but he demonstrated his reliability as he used his feet to keep out a low drive from Altrincham forward Marcus Dinanga in the 63rd minute.
Altrincham’s pressure grew as the half wore on but Maidenhead defended their penalty box admirably, leaving the visitors few spaces to play in.
And the hosts sealed the game in the 89th minute as towering centre half Cole Kpekawa sent substitute Shawn McCoulsky racing through on goal with a crunching header in the middle of the park.
Maidenhead’s number nine steadied himself before lashing the ball past the flailing Mee.
Devonshire added: “It’s early days and I’ll start judging them (new players) halfway through the season, I’m not going to judge them now but it’s looking promising.
“Our three forwards have all scored in the first three games and that’s what we need, we want everyone firing and we can now look forward to Dagenham & Redbridge.”
The Magpies travel to Victoria Road on Saturday for a 3pm kickoff.