By Brad Saxton | Image courtesy of Maidenhead United
Ahead of today’s Vanarama National League fixture down south, we look at our next opponents, Maidenhead United.
Maidenhead will be hoping to continue their recent good form in the Vanarama National League after a 1-1 draw at Ebbsfleet United on Tuesday evening.
Two wins in their previous two games against FC Halifax Town (1-0) and Solihull Moors (2-1) have been crucial wins in recent weeks, which has seen them move up the table and create a three-point gap. themselves and the evacuation zone.
After winning two and drawing two of their opening four games in the National League this season, they have gone on a terrible run, scoring just five goals in that period to go eleven games without a win.
But Maidenhead, who have recently turned their form around since mid-October, are in good shape this Saturday with some good results in the last two weeks.
Manager: Alan Devonshire
The highly experienced manager rejoined Maidenhead United for a second spell in 2015 and has been in charge there for the past nine seasons.
His first spell with the club began in 1996 and lasted a total of seven seasons, before he went on to become manager of Hampden and Richmond Borough.
Following a four-year spell at Braintree Town, Devonshire returned to the dugout at York Road for a second spell eight years ago.
The 67-year-old has managed more than 700 games for Maidenhead, but he is a manager who has achieved more in his managerial career, having been in the dugout more than 1,300 times over the past four decades.
During a playing career that saw Devonshire make just under 450 appearances for West Ham United in both the First and Second Divisions, he also earned eight caps for his country after playing for England between 1980 and 1983.
High scorer: Reece Smith
The 21-year-old young attacking-midfielder has made a good start to the season for Maidenhead United, scoring six times in eighteen appearances in the National League in 2023/24, averaging a goal in every three appearances for the club this season. ,
Having come through the club’s academy, he broke into the first-team scene at York Road in 2019 and has since become a regular in the Devonshire side, making over 100 appearances for the club over the past four seasons.
He is in current form as well, scoring two goals in his last two appearances this season.
One to watch: Sam Beckwith
Another young player who has become a key player for Maidenhead United in recent seasons.
After coming through the youth set-up at Luton Town, he made one appearance for the Hatters in an EFL Cup game in the 2021/22 campaign.
After leaving Luton, Beckwith moved to Maidenhead in the same season and has made over 70 appearances at left-back for the club over the past three years.
He has made 18 appearances for the club so far this season.
face to face
The two sides met for the first time last season and the first meeting at York Road in August 2022 saw the Ministermen win 1-0 thanks to a Maxime Kouvogun header.
The most recent meeting between the two sides took place at the LNER Community Ground in January earlier this year as Maidenhead ran out 2-1 winners. Goals from Ashley Nathaniel-George and Charlie Adams put the visitors two goals ahead in North Yorkshire before Lennell John-Lewis scored a late consolation for the Minstermen.
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