United’s stand-in keeper delivers a stand-out display
Goalkeeper Alexis Andre Jnr should have had plenty of content for his four million TikTok followers after a stand-out performance for the Magpies in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Bromley at York Road.
Andre Jnr was called into the starting line-up after Hungarian stopper Dan Gyollai was harshly dismissed in United’s mid-week defeat to Solihull Moors.
However, the keeper was far from United’s weak link at the weekend, pulling off a series of fine saves to keep the hosts on level terms before Cole Kpekawa launched himself at Charlee Adams'’late free kick to win the match for the Magpies.
Bromley’s Harry Forster in particular will be ruing Andre Jnr’s performance. Twice he was sent clean through on goal after intricate passing moves only to be thwarted by United’s stopper.
Then, as Bromley won corner after corner in second half stoppage time, Andre Jnr stood firm alongside the rest of the Magpies’ defence to preserve all three points. It was a performance that saw him included in the Non League Paper’s team of the weekend.
Speaking to Maidenhead United’s media officer, Grace Scott, after the game, Andre Jnr said: “It was a good game. The team put in a real good performance to be honest. Credit to them, I didn’t really have much to do. That’s all I can say to be honest.
“I have been waiting the whole season to have a chance to play in front of the fans, so I really enjoyed this win today.
“I just needed one game for my confidence to be honest. Now I feel good so hopefully I can do the same on Tuesday and then we will see. Each game I will do my best.”
Assistant boss Ryan Peters was also happy to see the Magpies pick up all three points after their illdeserved 2-0 home defeat to Solihull Moors on the Tuesday.
“Very happy. Tuesday didn’t go the way we expected although we probably played better then,” he said.
“We didn’t come out with a win. We didn’t play ever so well today but the resilience and desire showed, and we’ve managed to get a win.
“I think we played okay in the first half but, a bit like Solihull, we didn’t come out and press the way we normally do. That would’ve given Bromley the impetus. To carry on doing what we were doing and make sure we didn’t drop off. We had a little spell in the second half where we weren’t great, but we kept going and it was a great delivery and a great goal from Cole.
“If you have a look at the team, we put out today, we had a number of attackers on the pitch so we could attack from anywhere. It just so happened this game that we exploited that area. The goal didn’t come from that area in fairness but what happened, happened.”
Peters also felt Andre Jnr took his chance with both hands and will be hoping for similar displays from him in the coming weeks. “Really pleased,” he said.
“He’s had to bide his time. We’ve got two terrific goalkeepers. He’s got his chance because Dan has got a three-game suspension. He took it very well, and a clean sheet to add to it. We’re going to need clean sheets; we’re going to need everybody behind the ball and working as hard as possible.
When you’ve got a goalkeeper like Alexis, it gives you a good chance.”