Maidenhead 3
(Clerima 49’, Massey 54’, Acquah 66’)
United 4
(Little 15’, 20’, Hall 45’, Lemonheigh-Evans 45+1’)
United banked their first win of the season away at Maidenhead following a dominant first half performance which saw Gary Johnson’s side strike four times.
Two goals in five minutes from Armani Little, followed by strikes from Asa Hall, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and saw United go into the interval 4-0 up, before Alan Devonshire’s side responded in the second half with goals from Remy Clerima, Alan Massey and Emile Acquah. The home side couldn’t find a leveller though, as The Gulls held on for an invaluable victory on the road.
Gary Johnson made two changes following Bank Holiday Monday’s defeat at Plainmoor. Ali Omar returned from his one match suspension whilst Chiori Johnson served his, with Tom Lapslie replacing Dan Martin in the side’s the other change.
The first chance of the game came from United in the first minute, as Dean Moxey’s free kick from halfway fell for Hall, whose first-time volley drifted just wide.
The hosts began brightly and forced United to defend well in the opening ten minutes, with The Magpies having numerous corners early on.
The scoring was opened by Little in the 15th minute. Lemonheigh-Evans went on a run down the left flank before playing Little through into some space on the right-hand side where he advanced just inside the box before driving a low strike beyond Holden.
Five minutes later Little struck again, this time a long ball by United found Wright at the near post whose cushioned header fell nicely for Little who was able to calmly slot home to double the advantage.
United continued to push the Maidenhead defence and the Berkshire side were nearly granted a way back in as a misjudged header by Lewis forced Halstead to push the ball onto the bar in the 39th minute.
Torquay struck again though, twice, on the stroke of half time.
The third came from a Little freekick midway inside the Maidenhead half that found Hall in the box who was able to head home, and then, moments later, Lemonheigh-Evans ran through the bewildered defence before calmly slotting a low-driven shot past Holden to make it 4-0 at the break.
Urgently seeking a response, the home side came out fighting after half time and broke through in the 49th minute.
A high cross found Clerima in the United box, and with appeals for offside waved away, his clip went over Halstead to make it 4-1.
Alan Devonshire’s side went on to get another goal back in the 54th minute. This time, a Maidenhead corner found Massey at the near post who was able to hook his shot into the net.
The action wasn’t all one-way though, as Little came close to a hattrick in the 61st minute as his corner evaded both the United attack and the Maidenhead defence to curl just wide of the far post.
However, the home side reduced the deficit with a third goal in the 66th minute, as a Clerima cross deflected to Acquah who was able to tap in from close range.
With the comfortable advantage now heavily slashed, The hosts came close to an equaliser two minutes later with a De Havilland header drifting just wide.
Down the other end United nearly netted a fifth to put the result beyond doubt, as Wynter’s free kick from halfway was chested down by Wright for Holman whose volley shook the bar.
Tehy went even closer in the 83rd minute, as Holman played Wright into some space who went on to drive a low effort past Holden before the referee’s assistant put up his flag to deny United their fifth.
Maidenhead continued to push Gary Johnson’s side in the closing stages and in the 90th minute United had to work hard to block successive efforts from the home side, however after eight minutes of added time, The Gulls were rewarded with 3 points for their first win of the season.
United now return to Plainmoor next Saturday (11th) to face former League Two side Grimsby. Tickets are available online here.
Maidenhead: 26. James Holden, 3. George Wells, 4. Will De Hallivand, 6. Remy Clerima, 9. Nathan Blissett, 10. Kane Ferdinand, 16. Ryheem Sheckleford, 18. Emile Acquah, Josh Kelly (17. Reece Smith 71’), Alan Massey (c), 27. Charlee Adams (Charlee Adams 82’).
SUBS NOT USED: 5. Manny Parry, 15. Sam Beckwith, 19. Ryan Upward.
Yellow Cards: Kelly 26’, Massey 63’, Sheckleford 90+2’.
Torquay: 1. Mark Halstead, 2. Ben Wynter, 4. Tom Lapslie, 5. Ali Omar, 7. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, 8. Asa Hall (c) (16. Keelan O’Connell 65’), 9. Danny Wright, 10. Armani Little, 21. Dean Moxey, 30. Dan Holman, 31. Joe Lewis.
SUBS NOT USED: 3. Dan Martin, 17. Gabby Rogers, 19. Klaidi Lolos, 23. Marcin Brzozowski.
Yellow Cards: Hall 2’, Lapslie 82’, Halstead 89’.