'I want us attacking': Peters wants 'bums off seats' as Magpies chase play-off place

Manny Onariase and Matt Robinson at Horsham on Saturday. Credit: MUFC

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Ryan Peters has said he wants his Maidenhead United side to get ‘bums off seats’ as they look to claim and then cement a play-off place in the second half of the season.

United bounced back from their Boxing Day defeat to local rivals Slough Town as Matt Robinson cracked home a stoppage time volley in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Horsham.

It was a goal worthy of winning any game of football – and reminiscent of Harrison Reed’s spectacular strike for Fulham against Liverpool 24 hours later – but more importantly, it returned smiles to the faces of Maidenhead’s players and their travelling supporters.

A goal worthy of winning any game from Matt Robinson! ☄️

[ Video courtesy of Horsham FC] pic.twitter.com/A0QbjmGKJx

— Maidenhead United (@MUFCYorkRoad) January 4, 2026

After their unexpected Boxing Day wobble against the Rebels, it also got the Magpies back to winning ways in the league as they look to chase down a top seven spot.

It took a little while for the Magpies to find their feet at the Fusion Aviation Community Stadium, but interim boss Peters felt there was only one side likely to win the match after Miles Welch-Hayes nodded the visitors level in the 56th minute.

Horsham looked like they might just hold on for a share of the spoils, until a cross into the box was half cleared to Robinson, who ignored his manager’s calls to move the ball wide and fired a wonderful strike into the top corner. Horsham keeper Lewis Carey barely moved.

Speaking to club media after the final whistle, Peters said: “I’m going to address Slough again because I don’t think I did a great job of it last week.

“The scene was set for us to perform at home in front of our biggest attendance, and to get into the play-offs.

“I don’t want to take anything away from Slough, they were good, but we just didn’t turn up when we should have when we had everything ready for us to do so. I want to apologise to the fans again because we were dreadful

“What I then wanted was a reaction and we’ve trained hard this week to ensure we got one.

“These (Horsham) are a fantastic side. We weren’t great in that first half but second half there was only one team that was going to go on and win, and I felt it was us.”

Peters bolstered the Magpies attacking options early in the second half with the introduction of Josh Umerah for Owen Cochrane in the 52nd minute. United had matched their hosts in the first half but had little control, and they missed the chance to draw level at the end of the first period when Liam Dulson’s spot kick was saved by Carey.

Changes were also needed after James Hammond had given Horsham the lead from the penalty spot after Manny Onariase fouled Rodrigues.

“I’m not going to hang around very long with substitutes,” said Peters.

“Anything I don’t like very much in in the first half, they get five minutes and if it hasn’t worked in the first five minutes I’m going to make some changes.

“I want to be as attacking as possible. I spoke a few weeks ago about having a style and trying to get bums off seats. Second half I feel we’ve got a few bums off seats, and it must be that way, even when we’re not playing that well.

“There must be a style and an attacking flair. That’s the idea anyway.”

On Robinson’s winning strike, he added: “It’s a fantastic strike (from Robinson). To be honest I was wanting him to rotate the ball and go wide rather than shoot, but I’m glad he didn’t listen to me. He’s got great ability.

“We have to get more shots off from the edge of the box, because it will stop teams from penning themselves in on the 18-yard box. When you take shots like that and they go in it’s even sweeter.”

The win moves the Magpies to within a couple of points of the top seven, but they’re now not back in league action until Enfield Town visit York Road on Saturday, January 17.

Maidenhead had been due to host Ebbsfleet United at York Road tomorrow evening, but the game has been postponed due to a frozen pitch.