Maidenhead United 0-1 Faversham Town - I said to the boys there's going to be an upset today, why can't it be us? We've dug in and got a good result, says Faversham Town manager Tommy Warrilow

Maidenhead United 0 – 1 Faversham Town
Location	York Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 1SF
Kickoff	13/09/2025 15:00

MAIDENHEAD UNITED  0-1  FAVERSHAM TOWN
The Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 13 September 2025
Stephen McCartney reports from York Road

FAVERSHAM TOWN manager Tommy Warrilow says he will enjoy tonight after delivering a FA Cup upset to reach the Third Qualifying Round for only the second time in the clubs history.

Maidenhead United have reached the First Round for the last four seasons and were relegated from the National League last season.  They suffered their first exit at this stage of the competition for the first time since 2016, the year that the Lilywhites reached the Third Qualifying Round for the only time, losing in a replay to Egham Town.

Maidenhead competed in the first ever FA Cup competition back in 1871-72 and even reached the Quarter-Finals on three occasions back in 1872-73, 1873-74 and 1874-75 but the class of 2025 are classed as having a ‘hybrid’ training routine of Monday mornings, Tuesday mornings and Thursday nights, while part-timers Faversham Town train once or twice a week at night.

The Magpies went into their only FA Cup tie of the new season sitting in fifth-place in the Enterprise National League South table, having won their last four games against newly-promoted pair Horsham (2-1), Dover Athletic (2-1), Bath City (4-0) and they made three changes to their side that beat Chelmsford City here 2-1 seven days ago.

Alan Devonshire’s side have picked up four wins, two draws and two defeats from their opening eight league outings and came up against a well-drilled, organised and resilient Faversham Town side, who played with plenty of heart and desire all over the pitch.

Fourth-one club’s separate the two sides and last season’s Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division champions sat at the summit of the Isthmian League South East Division, having picked up three wins and a draw from their opening four league games.

Faversham Town striker Tashi-Jay Kwayie flicked in his 12^th goal of the season just three minutes before half-time to produce the upset, watched by a crowd of 624 inside York Road, situated within the town centre of the Berkshire town.

“Listen, I’m just pleased for the lads. Last week we could’ve done a bit more. I said to the boys this week about it, mainly about the mentality. It’s 11-v-11, listen, they’re a very, very good side. We’ve seen that today but we defended for our lives,” said Warrilow.

“We’ve had, I think, ironically enough, the better chances in the second half. We had a couple of chances that could’ve made it a lot easier for ourselves but we knew they were going to throw everything at us.

“So listen, there’s no given, obviously we’ve come away with, like you say, a Cup upset but I wanted the boys’ to believe in themselves and I think they did today.”

Warrilow handed Bangkok born goalkeeper Roshan Greensall, 22, his debut, having signed him last Tuesday from Isthmian League Premier Division side Welling United.  He didn’t make a first-team appearance for Crawley Town but he impressed during the second half here on his debut, making six saves.

Faversham Town – who were dumped out of The FA Trophy last weekend, making two changes to the side that lost 2-1 to their league rivals Sittingbourne in the First Qualifying Round - came out with all guns blazing and created their first opening after only 37 seconds.

Kwayie and Kieron Campbell linked up well inside the final third before the ball was worked to central midfielder Tommie Fagg, who scuffed a poor shot harmlessly past the right-hand post from inside the D.

“We had a couple of chances. The one thing I did say to the boys is we’ve got to start taking our chances and if we’re going to get them, we’ve got to make life easier for ourselves,” added Warrilow.

The first 20 minutes was an open affair and Maidenhead United’s left-back Jordon Ragguette whipped in a cross from within the channel, which sailed over Greensall’s shoulder and bounced off the top of the crossbar and behind for a goal-kick (2:47).

“Listen, I thought in the first half his kicking was excellent – into the wind - and again he done what he had to do. He didn’t really get tested (in the first half).  Take nothing away from Maidenhead, they’re a very, very good side and I’m sure they’ll have a good season,” said Warrilow on goalkeeper Greensall.

Faversham Town were kicking up the slope during the first half, with big targetman Eniyelayefa Amgbaduba relishing his aerial battle with fellow giant, Maidenhead centre-half Emmanuel Onariase.

Amgbaduba knocked the ball down, the ball came out to left-winger Campbell, who cut into the middle of the pitch to stroke a right-footed drive from 30-yards, which was comfortably saved down on his knees and into the midriff by former Aldershot Town goalkeeper Jordi van Stappershoef.

“KC started well. Listen, I’ve got no complaints of any of my boys 1 to 11.  We demand a lot from them, we believe in them and I think that showed today,” added Warrilow.

Maidenhead United’s central-midfielder Matt Robinson was pulling the strings for the home side and he played the ball inside to attacking midfielder Kai Yearn, who teed up Robinson, whose right-footed drive from 30-yards flashed past the dropping goalkeeper and just past the foot of the right-hand post.

When asked about the home side’s threats, Warrilow replied: “Just everything. You could see they move the ball well. The physicality side of it and I thought we stood up to it.

“We’re a big side but they were very athletic today but I will say again my goalie’s not made a save in the first half.  So as much as they had possession, I’ve said about this possession thing, I go on week-in-week-out about it, you can have the ball all day long but unless you score there’s no point having it.”

Yearn was barged over by Faversham’s holding midfielder Harrison Pont and Greensall lined up a three-man wall for Josh Popoola’s resulting free-kick from 30-yards.

The threatening right-winger floated the ball into the box (Faversham kept a high line for defending set-pieces) and Maidenhead’s holding midfielder Kane Ferdinand rose to send his free-header over the crossbar from 16-yards.

The home side were playing at a very slow tempo during the first half, despite kicking down the slope and Faversham’s two centre-halves of Callum Davies and the recalled Ben Gorham were outstanding throughout.

Maidenhead United had a spell of pressure but they couldn’t get through a well-drilled, well-organised Faversham Town team, who at this point put 10 men behind the ball and the ball was cleared out to an unmarked Ragguette, who drilled a left-footed drive from 40-yards, which flew past the diving goalkeeper and just past the right-hand post in the 20^th minute.

Warrilow said: “If they are having long-range shots then you’ve done your job. If they’re from long, long-range that’s your goalie to save them. Like I say, that’s what it is. It was a long-range chance, I’ll take that.”

Greensall appeared to be nervous during the early stages of the game before excelling during the second half and Maidenhead United tried to score direct from their first of 12 corners, in the 25^th minute.

Right-winger Popoola tried to curl the ball in from the right but Greensall used two hands to punch the ball away and was able to dance towards the edge of his penalty area on the left-hand side to gather close to the by-line without being put under pressure from any of the home side’s players.

Gorham was cautioned for retaliation for an initial challenge on Maidenhead striker Corie Andrews and Ragguette played the resulting free-kick back to Onariase, who played the ball back to Ragguette, who floated a deep cross towards the back post where centre-half Ryan Bartley hooked the ball past the near-post from a tight-angle as Amghaduba locked the gate shut.

A sign of the desire being shown from every Faversham player out on the immaculate grass playing surface.

Faversham Town did ride their luck on more than one occasion – you have to if you are to claim a Cup upset, especially away from home.

Right-back Owen Cochrane produced a quality delivery into the Faversham box from within the channel and left-back Jack Parter sliced his clearance across his own goalkeeper at the near post and the ball flashed just past the foot of the other upright.

Faversham Town sealed the deal by scoring following their first of three corners, the goal being timed at 41 minutes and 35 seconds on the clock.

There was a goal-line tussle that the referee Jonathan Bolland had to sort out before whistling so Campbell could swing the ball in from the right.

Fagg’s towering header went back to Campbell rather than towards goal and Campbell cut into the box and fizzed in a low cross towards a crowd of players and Kwayie used his right-foot to flick the ball across the keeper into the bottom far (left) hand corner to stun the home faithful, while the half-time whistle (46:58) brought cheers from the travelling fans.

“That’s it, straight off the training ground that,” said Warrilow.

“No, it’s a great finish from where we were. KC’s put it back in the area, Tashi’s in the right place at the right time, which he’s been this year, so he’s carried on his goalscoring (scoring 27 last season) but the most important thing was to get the win.

“He’s enjoying his football, so long may it continue.”

Warrilow told The Three Lions that he was expecting a reaction from Devonshire’s men during the second half – and that’s exactly what they got!

“Just be aware, be aware. I know we’ve got the wind, we’re going down the hill but they will come out like a ton of bricks.

“I’m sure Dev would’ve got into them and they did. They did come out first 5-10 minutes, we had to defend for our lives and then I sort of that it calmed down a little bit.”

Devonshire made 448 appearances (scoring 32 goals) for West Ham United between 1976-1990, before playing for Watford for two seasons and since 1996 has managed Maidenhead United, Hampton & Richmond Borough and Braintree Town in over 1,400 games.

“I’ve managed against Dev before anyway with Tonbridge, so I’ve known him.  He’s a legend in the game. He’s been a brilliant servant in non-league football as well as professional football and they should be grateful to have someone like him here,” said Warrilow.

“He’s done a fantastic job here, that National League is unforgiving, the National League South isn’t far behind now, so listen, I’d rather have someone like him in the (opposite) dug-out than sometimes people you come up against that hardly done anything in the game, so he’s a good bloke and I wish him well.”

Maidenhead United upped their intensity at the start of the second half and were denied by Greensall’s strong right wrist with six minutes and 9 seconds on the clock.

Firstly, Faversham’s right-back Bradley Simms hurled in his fourth of six long throws into the six-yard box and the towering Stappershoef plucked the ball out of the air at the near-post.

The 29-year-old goalkeeper then threw the ball overarm to three-goal winger Liam Dulson, who was inside his own half, before he charged down the line and  then cut into the box and his right-footed shot was destined for the bottom left-hand corner, only for Greensall to dive low to his right and use a strong right wrist to turn the ball towards safety.

“It was a great save, strong wrist.  Listen, they’re going to have their chances and possession, they’re a National League South side,” said Warrilow.

“We’re not going to get our own way. I always go back to pre-season. We had the toughest pre-season ever against teams who are up in the league above and in play-offs and one went up into this League (Dover Athletic) and this is exactly why.  We didn’t get our own way here today.

“I’m not going to sit here and say we popped it about and all that. We had to be well-organised without the ball and that was key to it today.

“When we did have it, I thought second half especially, we got in some really good areas.”

Just 13 seconds later, a high Ragguette then played the ball in from the left-channel (the home side often got in behind Simms down their left during the second half) and Dulson’s right-footed shot from eight-yards was beaten away by Greensall.

Faversham Town then created and missed two glorious chances to put daylight between the two sides.

Van Stappershoef’s goal-kick from the left corner of his six-yard box was met by Amgbaduba’s forehead inside the centre-circle on the half-way line and this bullet went past a couple of Magpies’ defenders and put through Ethan Smith.

The winger had a quiet game but he raced through and faced the six foot five goalie in a one-v-one dual but Smith’s right-footed shot was gobbled up by van Stappershoef, who got his large frame down to his left to grab hold of the ball, with 12 minutes and 34 seconds on the clock.

Faversham Town went direct with their next great chance (14:46) when the brilliant Davies launched a long ball out of defence to release Parter, who cut into the box and put in a great cross with his right-foot. The ball skimmed off a defender’s head on its way and Amgbaduba knocked his header agonisingly wide of the right-hand post from a couple of yards out.

Warrilow said: “Eniye just got nothing off the ref. He should’ve scored the header. He knows that. One that’s been floated up, deflected, he should’ve scored that, just after Ethan’s gone though on a one-on-one.

“So all the time we didn’t do that, we’re hoping we get another chance and just hope it doesn’t bite us.”

Maidenhead United produced a well-worked move which ended with Andrews teeing up Robinson, who was certain to score with a right-footed low shot, which was blocked on the line by Simms – as Faversham Town’s players’ put in a resilient and brilliant defensive performance.

Ragguette’s low pass cut out Simms and released Andrews down the left and he laid the ball off to Yearn, whose first-time shot was held on the line by Greensall, just in the nick of time.

First-choice goalkeeper Jacob Russell is currently on the sidelines with a torn hip flexor injury.

As the game entered the final 20 minutes, a replay at Salters Lane on Tuesday night was going to be the likely outcome, as Maidenhead United were largely camped inside Faversham’s half.

“Listen, the defenders’ defended brilliantly,” highlighted Warrilow.

“We worked Thursday night all on deliveries, set-pieces, from corners and today I think it showed. Everything they had to do, they did.”

Dulson and Robinson linked up well before Maidenhead centre-half Bartley was left in space and cracked a right-footed drive from 35-yards, which only just cleared the crossbar, aiming for the top left-hand corner.

Faversham Town started to take the sting out of the game with Simms taking his time at a throw-in and Smith leaving their third and final corner so Simms could take it instead and Faversham Town were to be denied by a fine diving save from Stappershoef (40:08).

Smith’s outswinging corner from the right was met by the unmarked Gorham, whose free-header from 16-yards was sailing towards the top far corner, only for the Dutch goalkeeper to claw the ball out diving to his right.

Parter gave away a free-kick for a foul on Popoola (a threat first-half, much quieter in the second).

Popoola hung the resulting free-kick into a crowd of players and Onariase rose in the middle to steer his header across the goalkeeper and past the far post as the travelling fans breathed a sigh of relief (42:27).

Pont clipped Maidenhead’s substitute right-back Miles Welch-Hayes and was cautioned once he reluctantly rose off the carpet and substitute right-winger Callum Harriott’s resulting left-footed free-kick from 30-yards was comfortably plucked out of the air by Greensall, high to his right (45:16).

Maidenhead United kept knocking on the door but Faversham Town weren’t going to open it.  The board for a minimum seven minutes was raised by fourth official Zak Demetriades – the final whistle was blown at 53:17 – and the travelling fans were able to celebrate a heroic victory.

Ragguette played the ball along the deck into Robinson and Faversham had eight red-shirted defenders inside their penalty area by the time that Dulson clipped the top of the far post with a right-footed shot (48:40).

“All the time we don’t (take our chances), teams are in it and the longer it goes on, the ref puts seven minutes up and the longer it goes on, the more they’re going to throw at you,” added Warrilow.

Ragguette fed Robinson again and Andrews reached the by-line down the left but Gorham closed the gate but the ball was crossed towards the back post where Dulson’s free-header lacked power and Greensall comfortably caught the ball at head height (50:35).

“I’m pleased for the football club, the fans that have come here today were brilliant,” said Warrilow, whose side have now beaten Balham (after a replay), Merstham, Hastings United (after a replay, here's a report of the 2-2 home draw) and Maidenhead United and have banked £8,194 in prize money, with the next round worth £5,625 (win) or £1,875 (defeat).

Maidenhead United have picked up £1,125 in losers' prize money, having failed to score, despite having 12 corners.  Maidstone United also failed to score, having 15 corners during their 2-0 defeat to Isthmian League Premier Division side Folkestone Invicta last night.

“Like I said to the boys, there’s going to be an upset today, why can’t it be us?

“I just wanted to be positive, that was all. I’m not saying it’s going to be a stroll in the park or whatever but we’ve dug in and got a great result today.”

Three Bridges – who thrashed Kevin Watson’s Sheppey United 7-1 in midweek – claimed top spot after beating newly-promoted side AFC Whyteleafe 3-2 today, so Faversham Town have slipped down to second place – a couple points behind Jamie Cruellin’s side.

Margate beat VCD Athletic 2-1 at Hartsdown Park today and arrive at Salters Lane on Tuesday sitting in 12^th place in the table, having picked up one win and three draws from their opening five games.

Ben Greenhalgh’s side were dumped out of The FA Trophy after losing 4-2 to Westfield in Woking last weekend.

The Lilywhites then travel to Erith Town (next Saturday, 20 September) and are then on the road to Broadbridge Heath (Tuesday 23 September), before their FA Cup tie on Saturday 27 September.

Warrilow said: “We’re in the next round, back to the League on Tuesday night. Our next thoughts are on Margate.  The nice thing, we’re in the hat on Monday, there’s no thoughts to it whatsoever, so I’m just going to enjoy it and take it as it is.

“I’m going to enjoy tonight and I’m going to address Margate tomorrow and Monday. We know what they’re about. We’ll do bits on them and we’ll address… The most important thing is we’ll concentrate on ourselves.

“We’re going to a game on Tuesday night and it’s going to be a real hard battle, a real hard game, so you can’t get carried away with anything. I’ve never done that.

“We’ll enjoy today, of course we will. Otherwise, there’s no point being in football but tomorrow we’ll be ringing round to see who’s injured, who’s not and we’ll be fully focused for Tuesday.

“I’m so pleased for them (our fans).  They’ve come here in numbers and they got behind the boys. It’s been a difficult time as well, so I’m really pleased for them – thank you very much.”

Maidenhead United: Jordi van Stappershoef, Owen Cochrane (Miles Welch-Hayes 72, Jadyn Dundas 90)), Jordon Ragguette, Kane Ferdinand (Callum Harriott 86), Ryan Bartley, Emmanuel Onariase, Liam Dulson, Matt Robinson, Corie Andrews, Kai Yearn (Noah Stewart 72), Josh Popoola.
Sub: Harvey Collins, Joshua McMenemy,

Faversham Town: Roshan Greensall, Bradley Simms, Jack Parter, Harrison Pont, Callum Davies, Ben Gorham, Kieron Campbell (Matthew Newman 80), Tommie Fagg (Frannie Collin 90), Eniyelayefa Amgbaduba (Johan Caney-Bryan 80), Tashi-Jay Kwayie, Ethan Smith.
Subs: Monty Saunders, Michael Ademiluyi, Teddy Isaacs, Archie Burford

Goal: Tashi-Jay Kwayie 42

Booked: Ben Gorham 28, Tommie Fagg 37, Harrison Pont 90, Tashi-Jay Kwayie 90

Attendance: 624
Referee: Mr Jonathan Bolland
Assistants: Mr Isaac Blakey & Mr Catalin Tanase
Fourth Official: Mr Zak Demetriades