United's pre-season continued to give cause for optimism today, as the side swept aside Conference South outfit Maidenhead United, winning 3-1 at York Road with Lewis Haldane's two first-half goals sandwiching a Jamie Guy penalty. The home side scored a consolation goal in the 89th minute through Ryan Hazell.

United started brightly at the historic venue, the oldest continuously used senior football ground in the world, hosting its first game in 1871. There was an early moment of concern involving some miscommunication between Jake Cole and Matt Day which saw the loose ball cleared by Barry Quinn just ahead of a Magpies defender, but that aside the defence was hardly tested in the first half. United took the lead in the ninth minute when James Constable failed to control the ball on the edge of the Maidenhead area, and it ran loose to Haldane, who clipped it over Shane Gore. Fifteen minutes later, Constable nipped between two defenders en route to goal, and Bobby Behzadi clipped his ankle. Guy took the penalty and sent Gore the wrong way. Just three minutes later and United went three up. Constable flicked the ball through to Haldane, who flicked the ball forward with his shoulder and outpaced two defenders before slipping the ball past Gore.

Right at the start of the second half Constable had a golden opportunity to get on the scoresheet himself, but his point-blank header was superbly saved by Gore (or possibly substitute keeper Max Aneke, we're not too sure). That was pretty much it for United's threat, although Yemi Odubade should have done better on the break a couple of times, and his decision making let him down too when he hesitated rather that passing to Guy. Maidenhead deserved a goal for their second-half display, which saw them passing the ball crisply and not allowing United to settle on the ball. They got their break in the 89th minute, when Hazell completed another good passing move to beat Ben Hinchcliffe from eight yards.

This was yet another good workout for United, as Maidenhead are the highest standard of opponent they've met so far in this pre-season. United were a class above in the first half, with Guy in particular looking a threat every time he received the ball. He has a deceptively deft touch, and excellent close ball control. Haldane and Constable were also proving difficult for the Magpies defenders to cope with, while on the right wing Wayne Corden didn't really get into the game. The few times he was on the ball he showed great close control and some deft flicks. Adam Murray controlled the midfield, while left back Chris Carruthers oozed class. The back line had its work cut out coping with the muscular and direct Richard Pacquette, but for the most part kept him and his colleagues quiet. There was a moment of concern when Cole was replaced by Hinchcliffe after just 18 minutes, but it was later revealed to be precautionary after the on-loan keeper felt a twinge in his groin. Also injured for United was Luke Foster, who broke his nose when heading a Corden corner straight at the home goalkeeper, but this should not keep him out of the side.

This was another satisfying performance from United, and the likely first team is looking strong, although there remains a question mark over the right back position, and whether Corden is the answer on the right wing. Things are also starting to look a little better in terms of depth, with Rob Davies doing well when coming on in midfield for Joe Burnell, Chris Willmott continuing to look like he's over the worst of his injury, and Craig Reid continuing to impress up front. There is now just the game at Maidenhead's Conference South colleagues Bath City on Tuesday, before the quartet of home games against League opponents, which should see United working more on tactics and game plans rather than fitness and gelling.

Photos from this game can be seen on the Rage Online Gallery.