News

MATCH PREVIEW: Maidenhead United v Aldershot Town (A)

WHO ARE THE SHOTS PLAYING?

Maidenhead United FC, The Magpies, Founded in 1870.

 

WHERE IS THE MATCH BEING PLAYED?

York Road, Maidenhead (Capacity: 4,500, with 550 seats)

 

HOW DID THEY DO LAST SEASON?

The Magpies finished 13th last season, with 56 points, 2 places and 4 points above The Shots.

 

HOW DID SHOTS GET ON AGAINST THEM LAST SEASON?

In November 2020, the two sides played out a 0-0 draw at the EBB Stadium. Mike Fondop was shown Red for The Shots in the second half. Leter in te season, Ricky Miller’s opener and a Josh Rees Hat-trick ensured that Aldershot took all three points in a 4-2 win, with Danilo Orsi scoring both Magpies goals. Earlier this season, the two sides drew 1-1 at the EBB Stadium, Toby Edser equalising Josh Kelly’s opener to ensure the points were shared.

 

WHO’S THEIR GAFFER?:

Magpies boss Alan Devonshire is well into his second spell at York Road. He began life in football at non-league Southall before he was picked up by West Ham United. With the Hammers, he spent 14 years between 1976 and 1990. After over 350 appearances with the club he departed for the final two years of his playing career at Second Division Watford.

In 1996, he took charge of Maidenhead United and had a successful reign at the club. He won promotion from the Isthmian League Division One in 2000 and won 4 Berks & Bucks Senior Cups. He also won the Isthmian Full Members Cup (1997) and made the 2000 Isthmian League Cup Final.

He moved on to Hampton & Richmond in 2003 for eight years where he reached the FA Cup First Round proper, finished runners-up in the Conference South (2009) but lost in the play-offs. Previously, he won promotion from the Isthmian League Division One South & the Isthmian Premier Division (2007).

Devonshire took over as Braintree manager in May 2011 as they ventured into the National League for the first time. He spent four seasons with the Iron, remarkably taking his part-time side to the Conference Play-Off semi-final, prior to re-joining Maidenhead in 2015. Two years later he steered them to the National League South title and a twelfth-place finish in their first season in the National League. Since then they have battled hard to stay in Non-League’s top tier, coming dangerously close to relegation in 2019-20, when, despite finishing in 22nd place, they survived by the slightest of margins on PPG.

Last season’s 13th place finish was their highest yet. They are currently 16th place, four places above the Shots with six points more.

 

MAGPIES PLAYING SQUAD:

Familiar faces still at York Road include; Defenders Remi Clerima. Manny Parry & Alan Massey, Midfielders Josh Smile & Ryan Upward and Forwards Nathan Blissett, Josh Kelly and Sam Barrett. Devonshire signings this season included; including; Kane Ferdinand from Woking, Striker Emile Acquah from Southend United and Keeper Dan Gyollai, (Peterborough United). Kelly is the Magpies top goalscorer this season, with 15 goals to date, in all competitions.

 

ANY EX-SHOTS?

Centre-Back Will De Haviland had a spell with Aldershot Town.

 

WHO’S GOT THE WHISTLE?

Bank Holiday Monday’s referee is Lewis Smith. This season, he has taken charge of 56 National League matches, showing 16 Yellow Cards and 3 Red Cards. He has not refereed Aldershot Town as yet this season.

 

WHERE TO FOLLOW THE MATCH:

If you are not going to York Road, there will be live online commentary of the game via BBC Radio Surrey Sport or the BBC Sport App, with Rob Worrall, and Guest Summariser, former Shots Media Manager Steve Gibbs. There will also be Social Media coverage on Instagram & Twitter (@OfficialShots) with team news, updates and post-match coverage throughout.