Early goals from both sides ensured that the points were shared in York Road as a Jake Hutchinson penalty cancelled out Emile Acquah’s opener.
Maidenhead had the best start possible as they opened the scoring in the second minute in the first possession of play. Emile Acquah was able to tap the ball home from close-range after a good move down the hosts’ left-wing.
But their lead didn’t last long. Justin Amaluzor did brilliantly to work the ball into the box with fantastic skill and close-control and was brought down with referee Aaron Jackson pointing to the spot and Jake Hutchinson stepped up to send Alexis Andre Jr the wrong way and level terms.
The game was quiet after a frenetic opening five or so minutes but Maidenhead found the back of the net in the 19th minute only for the assistant referee’s flag to be raised as Sam Barratt was offside as he knocked the ball in at the far-post.
Reece Smith launched an effort from distance that was never in too much danger to Luca Ashby-Hammond in the Shots goal but it was Aldershot who came closest to going in front before the break.
Oliver Pendlebury shrugged off an attempted piggy-back and delivered an inviting cross which caused confusion as Idris Odutayo left the ball for Andre Jr who didn’t come out to collect the ball. This allowed Amaluzor to race in and take advantage but somehow the ball hit the post and evaded danger.
HALF-TIME
The second-half was devoid of any clear-cut chances for either side for the first 20 minutes of action in the second-half. Maidenhead had a number if corners to put pressure on the Shots’ defence but they refused to buckle.
Ashley Nathaniel-George was looking dangerous for the hosts and he had cutting in from the left, he launched a curling effort bound for the top corner in the 69th minute but Ashby-Hammond pulled off a fantastic dive to tip the ball over with his fingertips.
A few half-chances for the Shots saw Joe Partington fire at Andre Jr from distance and Tyler Cordner head over from close-range. Debutant Jack Barham also saw a shot blocked as Aldershot tried to put their own pressure in in the following 10 minutes.
But it was Maidenhead who came closest to going in front and arguably could have with strong claims from the home side that the ball crossed then line following a goalmouth scramble. Nathaniel-George, again cutting in from the left, saw a shot rebound against the bar and into a pile of bodies but as it fell into Ashby-Hammond’s arms on the goalline, there was no whistle from the referee.
Shots lineup: 1. Luca Ashby-Hammond, 2. Myles Kenlock, 4. Joe Partington (c), 5. Tyler Cordner, 7. Justin Amaluzor, 16. Corey Jordan, 17. Jake Hutchinson (30. Jack Barham 58′), 18. Henry Ochieng, 19. Oliver Pendlebury, 22. Haji Mnoga, 23. Ryan Glover (8. Tyler Frost 86′). Subs not used: 10. Josh McQuoid, 15. Karoy Anderson, 20. Michael Klass.
