Maidenhead 0 - 2 Dorking

Last night was disappointing to say the least. As we finished the season in 7th position in the National League South, I’ve kept to the format of the Dover game review. Here are my 7 thoughts on the game:

1. It was my first time visiting Meadowbank and Dorking itself. The bar was well stocked and service for both food and drink was quick. However, that’s where the positives end. It’s another ground, like Slough’s, with extremely limited terracing meaning that unless you’re stood on the fence line your field of vision is appalling. I know York Road isn’t fit for purpose in some ways but the view of the pitch is decent wherever you stand or sit! This feels like a very basic request when designing a football stadium along with some cover if it’s raining, which both Meadowbank and Arbour Park fail on. Our fans used the small covered area we were allowed to create a tremendous noise and atmosphere. 

2. Whilst on the subject of our fans, I can’t help but echo Neil Maskell’s comments in his post today. To take nearly 500 fans again shows how far we have come as a club and as a support over the last few years. Those 465 magpies fans sang their hearts out all game despite there not being much to cheer on the pitch. The bond between the players and the fans now is something I wouldn’t have thought possible earlier in the season after those losses in October and to Leamington in November. I was truly proud to be a Magpies fan last night and that support has left me buzzing for next season already. 

3. Unfortunately, I’m now going to talk about the actual game… Ryan Peters hit the nail on the head in his post game comments. For one reason or another we just did not turn up in the first half and were lucky to only be 2-0 down at half time. We didn’t ever adapt to the pitch and there were several uncharacteristic errors in merely controlling the ball. Whilst discussing errors, our passing across both halves was the worst I’ve seen under Peters. We were the form team coming into this game but we really didn’t look like it. I think to stand any chance of winning last night we needed an early goal to make them nervous as they clearly couldn’t cope with the pressure of leading the league in March. I think an early goal would have heaped the pressure on them and made their game plan a lot more difficult. 

4. Our only potential first half chance was a penalty chance when Josh Popoola appeared to have been hauled down in the area. The referee had denied Dorking a penalty around 5 minutes earlier and it felt very much like one of those situations where the official felt he couldn’t give the penalty after denying an earlier one for the opposition. As already discussed, my view of the incident was pretty bad so I can’t really add much more on the chance. We struggled to create anything else all half as Umerah felt isolated and couldn’t hold up the ball on his own. In our own half, we couldn’t clear our lines and find our midfield and in their half of the pitch we were really struggling to string any passes together at all. 

5. Dorking’s first goal felt preventable as we gave their striker far too much time in the box to shoot. Their second goal which killed the game as a contest was brilliantly hit, but again I felt we didn’t close them down enough to prevent the shot. Throughout the first half there appeared to be huge gaps between our midfield and defence which Dorking were exploiting. Will De Havilland did really well in his last game for us to stop their strikers being clean through on a number of occasions. Very few, if any, of our other outfield players stood out on the night with Matt Robinson and Remy Clerima being particularly poor. With those two having rare off nights it made our chances of turning the tie around non-existent.

6. Peters did his best to change things with Asher Yearwood and Alfie Pendlebury both coming on early in the second half for Dillon De Silva and Manny O. This led to a formation change but we remained second best and we still struggled to create any chances. I can’t really remember any shots on goal all night and the highlight of the second half was a mazy run by Popoola which ultimately went nowhere! There can be no doubt that Peters has improved the football in his tenure and he seems to encourage taking quick free kicks across the pitch whatever the match situation. I understand when we are on top wanting to keep the ball in play and the tempo high, but yesterday night felt like a game where we needed to slow down and frustrate Dorking. We didn’t look like scoring in open play so why not launch some long free kicks towards Umerah/De Havilland/Manny O/Pendlebury and see what happens? It felt like we were playing into their hands by rushing our set pieces and ultimately giving the ball away too easily. 

7. Post game, I just want to mention the support again. The fact so many stayed to pay homage to this team even after that performance is really encouraging for the club. Peters has got a huge summer coming up in creating a squad that can implement his style and tactics, and that can compete for the league title next season. Post match discussion seemed to suggest that Liam Dulson is going, with Popoola on his way out as well meaning this is definitely an area of focus for the club’s recruitment plans. I hear Josh Kelly is going to be a free agent…. Moving forward, next week’s blog will have my player reviews and my thoughts on who I would retain or release. Until next time, see you on The Bell End. Up the Mags!