Remy hopes Maidenhead United comeback could be season's turning point

Remy Clerima after Monday’s 2-1 win over Horsham. Photo: Darren Woolley

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Maidenhead United will hope Monday’s second half revival against Horsham can be a major turning point in their season as they look to get themselves back amongst the sides challenging for promotion.

United believe they can be one of the National League South front runners this season, but it’s taken them a little while to find their feet again at step 2 after failing to win any of their first four fixtures.

Saturday’s 1-0 away defeat to Weston Super Mare was particularly depressing, with the winner for the hosts coming in the 92nd minute. And it seemed the Magpies had carried that lethargy and lack of confidence into Monday’s home game with Horsham at York Road.

Having delivered a performance that was so far below the levels they expect from themselves - and the fans expect from them - they deservedly found themselves 1-0 down at the break to a goal from former Magpie Shamir Fenelon.

However, a couple of personnel and tactical changes at the break saw them produce a performance that was so at odds with what had gone before in the first half.

With Liam Dulson and Josh Umerah restored to the front line in place of Callum Harriott and Corie Andrews - and with Josh Popoola having replaced Asher Yearwood through injury late in the first half - the Magpies were seemingly able to attack at will.

Horsham were bewildered by the change in intensity and soon conceded when Remy Clerima rose well to direct home a header from a 50th minute corner.

Du du du du du du... CLERIMA! pic.twitter.com/dfISkZd9Kn

— Maidenhead United (@MUFCYorkRoad) August 26, 2025

It was a goal that lifted their spirits and lifted the York Road crowd, and Maidenhead deservedly capped off their comeback when Jayden Mitchell-Lawson headed home the second from a great Popoola cross in the 74th minute. It was Mitchell-Lawson’s first start for the Magpies in nine months and his presence and attacking instincts have been badly missed.

Speaking afterwards Clerima - the man who sparked the comeback with a fine header - said he hoped the win would be a turning point for Maidenhead’s season.

“The first half we were really sloppy. I don’t know what happened to us but that was not us,” he said.

“Second half was much better, and we showed the mentality that we need for the rest of the season to go ahead.

“To be at home and get the win, hopefully we’ll now go on a run, and we won’t stop.

“I think it will bring relief to everybody because there was a lot of expectation from us and a lot of frustration within the players.

“We want to do good; we want the fans to be happy as well so now I think we can go with confidence to the next game and take hopefully six points from the next two games.

“The manager told us that it wasn’t good enough (in the first half) and that we have to improve.

“We had to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and had to go out and do what we do best.

“We needed to do what we do in training, and we got the pace and the intensity and made the right decisions. Second half that made the difference.

“I surprised myself with the header, it was a great one to be fair.”

Monday’s result lifts the Magpies to 14th in the table ahead of away matches at Dover Athletic on Saturday and Bath City on Tuesday evening.

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Maidenhead United Supporters Group are running a coach to the club's game with Dover Athletic on Saturday. 

The coach travel option is £30 for adult members, £20 for under 16s or junior members, or £35 for adult non members and £25 for under 16 non members. 

The departure time from York Road is still to be confirmed, but the game kicks off at the Crabble Athletic Ground from 3pm. The coaches will return to Maidenhead after the game. 

Book now at musgyorkroad@gmail.com