Ring of confidence: Peters' lucky charm as De Havilland's double seals second Magpies win

Assistant boss Ryan Peters has been wearing a lucky ring, made for him by his daughter, for the past two Maidenhead United games, but there was nothing flukey or fortunate about the Magpies performance against Dover Athletic at The Crabble on Saturday.

United won the game 2-1 with captain Will de Havilland scoring both - his first coming in the 10th minute from a corner and his second, supplied by centre half partner Remy Clerima, proving the winner in the 74th minute.

It gave the Magpies their second league win on the spin after last Monday’s 2-1 home win over Horsham and lifts Alan Devonshire’s side to 14th in the table after what had been an underwhelming start to the campaign.

Speaking to club media after the game, Peters said he felt the Magpies should have been 4--0 up at the interval. They survived a shaky 10-minute spell when the hosts got themselves level through George Nikaj’s curling strike, before reasserting their dominance to take a deserved three points.

They now travel to Bath City tomorrow evening (Tuesday) hoping to make it three league wins in a row, and it seems from their recent performances and results, Maidenhead are finally settling to the task that’s in front of them this season.

“It feels really good,” said Peters.

“The support we had today was fantastic. I thought we were good value from start to finish.

“We might have had a moment in the second half for five or 10 minutes when we lost our way. But in those moments, we were resolute and made sure nothing went in our net.

“We hope these are the building blocks now. Two in a row feels fantastic. The manner of the performance today also was fantastic. The boys are starting to get to grips with the things we’re asking them to do. New squad of course but we’re really happy.

“The message at the start was set the tempo as early as you can. After we got the goal early, I don’t think I’d be biased if I said we should have come off at half-time maybe 4-0 up. We probably needed to test their goalkeeper a little bit more. But that’s come from us attacking fluently and providing opportunities. I thought our first half display was very good.

“There was a 10-minute spell when we weren’t great but overall, we’re over the moon with the result and the points.”

Club captain De Havilland chipped in with his side’s goals on Saturday and Peters said afterwards the Magpies would need goals from all positions this season if they’re to be successful. He also suggested he’d be keeping his daughter’s ring on during matches while results and performances are going his side’s way.

“We’re going to need that,” Peters added.

“If we can get foals coming from throughout the team it takes the pressure off one person having to score all the goals.

“My daughter made me a lucky ring, which I’ve been wearing for the last two games and we’re going to keep that on for a little while.

“I also got the chance to speak with some of our fans after our last home game, where there was a bit of tension and I think that also spurred us on a little bit. We understand it, but we’re pushing to be a lot, lot better.

“I don’t want to speak too soon and there will be games this season where I’m sure we’ll feel frustrated. We’ve got a small squad and a couple of injuries but we’re coping.”