06:19PM, Saturday 04 October 2025
Liam Dulson celebrates. Photo: Darren Woolley
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Maidenhead United 1, Worthing 0
Maidenhead United secured their sixth straight league win in difficult conditions at York Road as they held onto the first half lead given to them by Liam Dulson.
Dulson deservedly fired the home side in front in the 23rd minute, exchanging passes with Jayden Mitchell-Lawson before dispatching a shot past Seb Stacey.
Worthing’s preparation for the game had been thrown into chaos when their manager Chris Agutter departed to join National League side Sutton United on Thursday, and assistant boss Dean Hammond has stepped in to lead them as caretaker for the next three matches.
They appeared to be all at sea without Agutter in the first half as United controlled the game.
Remy Clerima rose well to power a header just past the post from Josh Popoola’s right-wing free kick in the 31st minute and the hosts should have had more than their one goal lead when they came off at half-time.
Popoola was his usual lively self. He tested Stacey with a well-struck shot shortly after Dulson’s opener and Josh Umerah should have scored in the 13th minute after being played in by Kane Ferdinand. He dragged his left-footed shot wide.
Somehow the visitors managed to stay in touch through to half-time, and with the wind behind them in the second half they looked more threatening.
The best of their chances fell to Jack Spong, who had two or three shots that flew just wide or over the bar. Nick Wheeler also saw a low effort saved well by Van Stappershoef and Teddy Jenks’ low shot from the edge of the box was deflected just wide.
United remained a threat on the counter although they were being increasingly penned in by their visitors. Dulson managed to get away and fire over the bar on the hour mark, after a driving run into the box.
Referee Scott Simpson was heavily involved in the latter stages of the match, making a few controversial decisions that largely went the way of the home side.
First, in the 71st minute, Matt Burgess raced onto a sloppy back-pass from Clerima and went over the leg of the sliding Van Stappershoef in the box. Instead of pointing to the spot though, he booked Burgess for diving.
Rebels’ defender Harry Ransom was then shown a yellow card for what looked an ugly challenge on substitute Corie Andrews close to the dugouts. The incensed Maidenhead bench felt the defender should have seen red, yet somehow, he remained on the field. Andrews had only come onto the field a few seconds earlier for Josh Umerah.
Failing to heed the lesson, he got his just desserts a few minutes later, when another lunge on Andrews saw the referee reach for the red card, leaving Worthing down to 10 for the closing minutes.
United looked to be comfortably navigating the final minutes and stoppage time – and should really have made it 2-0 through a couple of decent chances for substitute Sam Barratt – however, most in York Road had their hearts in their mouths when Worthing substitute Anointed Chukwu was played through on goal. The striker took the ball around Van Stappershoef and appeared to be tripped by the Dutch keeper, however, Simpson again waved away the visitors’ hearty appeals for a penalty.
The final whistle sounded shortly afterwards, and Maidenhead had their sixth straight league win in the bag. They weren’t always convincing, but they just about deserved the three points which keep them in fourth place, two points behind Weston Super Mare in second. Worthing's caretaker boss Dean Hammond was also shown a red card for his protestations at the full-time whistle.
United now have another two-week layoff, due to Dorking Wanderers continued involvement in the FA Cup. They return to Eastbourne Borough on Saturday, October 18.
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