Maidenhead United fire four past Wealdstone to wrap up Boxing Day victory

Danilo Orsi-Dadomo (Photo Credit: Darren Woolley)

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Maidenhead United wrapped up the year with a 4-0 thumping against high-flying Wealdstone at York Road on Boxing Day.

On Saturday, the Magpies displayed their prowess in attack and defence to claim all three points to move into fifth in the National League.

Ryan Upward (4’) gave Maidenhead an early lead before Josh Coley (37’) doubled the hosts’ advantage with a composed finish eight minutes before half time. Danilo Orsi-Dadomo (47’) put the Magpies three goals to the good two minutes after the break and Nathan Blissett (52') made it four, five minutes later.

Down the other end, Taye Ashby-Hammond pulled off a series of strong saves to ensure his side would conclude the match untainted as Jerome Okimo and Daniel Green came closest to scoring for the Stones.

Maidenhead boss Alan Devonshire made three changes to the starting XI from last weekend’s disappointing defeat to Weymouth in the FA Trophy. Taye Ashby-Hammond replaced Josh Oluwayemi between the sticks, while Ryan Upward and Alex Addai traded places with Rohan Ince and Sam Barratt.

And it was Upward who made the difference inside the early exchanges when he broke through the Wealdstone backline and slotted away a tidy finish on the fourth minute. Summer signing Coley proved to be a lively threat next as he tested Moore from range after making space on the left side of the pitch.

Moses Emmanuel had the ball in the back of the net for the Stones on the 18th minute but his celebrations were quickly silenced after the referee recognised he had committed a foul in the build up. The Stones escaped further punishment on the half hour mark after Coley was brought down inside the penalty area with referee Sunny Gill waving away the hosts’ pleas.

But the winger delivered justice seven minutes later when he curled an effort past Moore to increase the Magpies’ advantage heading into the break. There was to be no let up from Devonshire’s men in the second half as Orsi-Dadomo confidently dispatched Maidenhead’s third in the 47th minute from the penalty spot after the Stones were adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area.

The Stones’ task of redemption was dealt greater difficulty when Blissett scored the Magpies’ fourth goal with a powerful header from a George Wells cross. Maidenhead ‘keeper Ashby-Hammond made an exceptional series of saves to deny the visitors a comeback in the game’s final 30 minutes.

Maidenhead will be optimistic they can repeat their success when they face Wealdstone away at Grosvenor Vale on January 2.