As we delve deeper into the beginning of the 2024/25 Vanarama National League campaign, the Shots welcome Maidenhead United to the EBB this Saturday for August’s final fixture.
The Magpies are in their eighth season in the Vanarama National League, after being promoted from the National League South during the 16/17 season.
Maidenhead United were established in 1870, and York Road has been home to the team since 1871. It is the oldest senior football ground continuously used by the same club, and can hold up to 4,000 supporters.
The club is also part of another piece of football history, as one of the 15 teams in the inaugural holding of the FA Cup in 1871/72. They beat Marlow 2-0 in the First Round but lost to Crystal Palace in the next round, before reaching the Quarter Finals of the competition three times in a row over the next three years, losing to Oxford University, Royal Engineers and Old Etonians.
LAST TIME OUT
The last time this game took place at the EBB Stadium, the Shots pulled off a brilliant comeback to overturn a two goal deficit and win 4-2!
Chanka Zimba scored a brace to give Maidenhead an early lead, but Jack Barham’s brace of his own ensured the sides went into the break level. Lorent Tolaj then also scored a brace in the second-half to complete Aldershot’s turnaround in front of a jubilant EBB Stadium crowd.
The Shots’ most recent matchup against Maidenhead United was at York Road, where the Magpies ran out as 4-0 winners against an Aldershot Town team that finished the game with nine men.
SINCE WE MET
Since their victory against us last season back in March, the Magpies went on to lose just one of their remaining five league fixtures, with this being on the final day of the 23/24 campaign against Chesterfield, who’d already been crowned champions. They achieved a respectable 14th placed finish, comfortably keeping them in the division for another season.
This year, Maidenhead started their season with three losses against Eastleigh, Solihull Moors and Altrincham, but a 0-0 draw with AFC Fylde last weekend was followed by an impressive 3-1 win over Barnet on Monday.
NL Form Guide: LLLDW
IN THE DUGOUT
Alan Devonshire is the man in charge of Maidenhead United. Before becoming a manager, Devonshire enjoyed a long playing career. He made eight international caps for England as well as spending over 15 years in the English League First Division, which is now known as the Premier League. He made over 350 appearances for West Ham United, as well as representing Watford for the final two years of his playing career.
His first step into his managerial career came at Osterley and Brentford Women, before having his first spell at Maidenhead between 1996 and 2003. Following successful stints at both Hampton and Richmond Borough and Braintree, Devonshire rejoined Maidenhead in 2015, and guided the side up into the National League, and has kept them in the fifth tier ever since.
TICKET INFO
Tickets are available HERE, and are priced as follows:
- ADULTS – £21
- MILITARY PERSONNEL – £17
- SENIOR (Over 66) – £17
- DISABLED – £17
- YOUNG PERSON (18-20) – £17
- 17 AND UNDER – £5
- UNDER 11 – FREE
Please note that prices for the first three home games of the 24/25 season will not be increasing in price on a matchday.
We strongly encourage buying tickets in advance or online to save queues in the Ticket Office before the game.
You can purchase your tickets for the game from the Club Shop in person from Mon-Fri 11-2 or from 12pm on the day of the game, or by calling 01252 320211.
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT
Live updates will be available from our social media platforms X (@OfficialShots), Instagram (@aldershottownfcofficial), and Facebook. After the game, highlights will be available on our YouTube channel.
The game will be available for broadcast via National League TV to those not in the UK.
There will be live commentary of the game provided by BBC Radio Surrey – available via 104.0 FM (East Surrey and North East Sussex, 104.6 FM (West Surrey and North East Hampshire) and DAB Digital or listen online HERE
