Emile gives marker the slip to seal much-needed win
Maidenhead United FC
Emile Acquah was in the right place at the right time – the art of any successful striker – to tap home Ashley Nathaniel-George’s left-wing cross to give Maidenhead United a hugely significant home win over Woking on Saturday.
After going five matches without a win, and managing only one goal during that run, the Magpies needed a performance to stop the slide and get the fans back onside.
This they just about managed with a workmanlike display that owed more to their character and spirit rather than the brilliance of their play.
If they’re going to win matches this season, particularly at home, they’re going to have to be difficult to beat, and Maidenhead were the epitome of that at York Road.
Again, they struggled to create and take chances, especially in a first half dominated by the visitors, but they grew into the contest playing down the slope in the second half, and Acquah tapped home the one very good chance they created all afternoon. It proved enough for a third win of the season, one which lifts the spirits again going into Saturday’s BT Sport televised clash with Gateshead.
Reflecting on the game and his goal, Acquah said afterwards:
“We knew it was going to be a tough game. We came into it trying to stay in the game as much as we could. Once we got the chance, we made sure we took it.
“They’re a well drilled team and we just had to make sure we didn’t concede an early goal and stayed in the game.
“I’ve played with Ash (Nathaniel-George) before, so I knew that if he was in space, he’d find me, and I was able to just tap it in.
“It’s a new team and it’s taking a little bit of time for us to gel, but we’ve won a few games on the way.
“We’re doing well, we just have to make sure that York Road is our fortress. We don’t want to lose any games here and if we can pick up some points away from home, we’ll have a good season.”
Saturday’s victory lifts the Magpies up a handful of places to 16th in the National League.