What’s better than a midweek fixture under the lights? Sheldon Baptiste’s side kicked off a bumper week of matches held at the Rivermoor, facing second-place Maidenhead for the return fixture, as part of their Thames Valley Premier League campaign.

Ahead of kick-off, the management team opted to implement three changes to the side who faced Woodcote on Saturday, with Jamaal Whight, Andrew Tafeni and Aymen Mouali entering in place of Ben Holder, Declan Joyce and Finley Meikle. 

Our returning midfielder Whight took the armband for the fixture, with vice-captain Vaisset retaining his place in the starting lineup. Alongside him, Alex Collie, Taha Menshaw, McDylan Philippe-Ekitti, Bless-Him Kimpiats, Charlie Gmiterek, Pele Hagger and Alfie Ward all stayed in the team.

Kick-Off: City U23s 0-0 Maidenhead Town

Ward got us underway, and a brilliant start from the home side enabled a pass to be unleashed into the path of Mouali, who dashed his effort past ‘keeper Baldock, breaking the deadlock early and giving City the advantage!

The visitors attempted an instant response, with a long throw from Lewis Critcher entering the area, eventually flicking towards Jack Beech. City defender Kimpiats provided the final clearance to rid the danger, with the resulting ball delivered to Philippe-Ekitti just outside of the centre circle. A curving effort from the centre midfielder from around thirty yards out aimed towards the near post went just wide and out for a goal kick.

Critcher proved crucial for the visiting team, firing a powerful ball into the area, but ‘keeper Collie sprinted to claim the chance with support from the City backline.

Ticking over into the 16th minute, forward Ward shook free of his marker and whipped in a direct strike down the middle, slotting home City’s second goal in quick succession, doubling their early lead.

Moments later, Beech continued to press and earned the goal he had been searching for as he poked the ball past Collie, halving the deficit just after the twenty minute mark. A volleying pass edged close to the net from inside the area, but the linesman called for offside.

A set play further down the field reached the head of Menshawi, who cleared into the midfield. The unpredictable ball was picked up by Philippe-Ekitti, but a scramble for possession saw a recycled effort soar over the bar, with City earning a goal kick for their efforts.

A one-two between Ward and Tafeni out on the left deflected off of a Maidenhead defender’s shoulder, with Ward weaving between the opposition to steal the loose ball. His half-volleyed effort whistled just out of play, but it was looking positive for the home team.

Play resumes after a break, following a late challenge on a Maidenhead fullback, and a pass from Ward reached Tafeni out on the wing, who nudged the ball into the path of midfielder Gmiterek. He charged towards the area, firing a curving effort towards goal, but his strike fell at the near post.

On the counter, Maidenhead continued to search for an equaliser, increasing the pressure, with an headed effort rolled just past Collie’s left hand post. A follow-up effort skimmed the turf, ricocheting off of the far post and out of play, with the visitors earning a corner. The resulting set piece rolled into the hands of the City shot-stopper.

At the stroke of half time, Menshawi’s crucial block ended the build-up of yet another effort from Maidenhead, with Hagger making a clearance in the area. Entering the break, the boys in blue were ahead and in high spirits!

Half Time: City U23s 2-1 Maidenhead Town

Minutes into the second 45, a round of head tennis in the box, with key interceptions from Kimpiats, Gmiterek and Whight, followed by a raised flag from the linesman led to a goal kick for the visitors. A low effort from Menshawi, hit with slightly too little power allowed the visiting shot-stopper, Baldock, to claim off of his line. 

On the break, Maidenhead netted the equaliser through an impressive link-up in play, but was soon disallowed for an offside in the build-up. Thirty minutes to go, and a second strike from Liam Wilson levelled the scores, with a shot drilled into the bottom-corner.

Baptiste turned to his bench in preparation to bring on some fresh legs, and forward Aymen Mouali and midfielder McDylan Philippe-Ekitti exited the fray for Joe Latch and Maksimilijan Cvetabovski. The visiting side also opted to make a change in personnel, and a double substitution saw Jordan Trafford replaced by Ben Diment, and Joe Park entered for goalscorer Liam Wilson.

A goal line clearance from Baldock blocked a well-timed City effort, but the home side persevered, earning another set piece for their efforts. Despite coming close, Maidenhead did well to rid the danger.

Entering the final 10, City continued to press high, with a recycled ball punched out and away by Baldock. It dipped in flight, falling to Gmiterek at the edge of the area, but the midfielder unfortunately couldn’t get his shot off.

A collective effort from Latch, Tafeni and Cvetabovski following a throw-in for the boys in blue just fell short, and a sublime clearance was provided by Collie and Gmiterek to deny the ‘Town a third. A recovery on the touchline enabled Ward to cut inside, with Hagger close by for support, but his shot sadly couldn’t amount to anything.

With mere minutes to go, substitute Cameron Netherwood-Meek buried his shot and Maidenhead took the lead. With time slowly but surely running out, City continued to play positively and persevered in search of a third.

With Collie sprinting to join the attack, an inswinging corner from the right soared through the air and curled into the area, but Baldock palmed the effort back out. A headed touch from Vaisset, who knocked it to Hagger. Baldock attempted to punch the dangerous ball back out, but it just fell to Cvetabovski, who pushed the ball across the line, with Kimpiats on the goalline to ensure the ball stayed in – a fantastic team goal!

The referee soon blew his whistle to signify the end of a competitive, entertaining and well-fought game, with plenty of positives to be taken for both sides.

Full Time: City U23s 3-3 Maidenhead Town

The points were split after a very enjoyable game under the lights down at the Rivermoor! Who doesn’t love a last-minute equaliser? A deserved point for our Under 23s, who fought from minute one to minute ninety.

We wish last night’s visitors, Maidenhead Town, all the best for the rest of the season! Sheldon Baptiste and Mimi Olaide’s squad are back in action tomorrow evening as they head to RG14 to face Newbury Town.