Hippolyte confident ahead of Welling visit
In-form Maidenhead United FC face a real test of their new found mettle when they welcome high-flying Welling United to York Road on Saturday.
The Magpies, who have picked up 14 points from a possible 21, are one of the most on-song sides in the Blue Square South over recent weeks.
It’s been a remarkable turnaround considering they had picked up just two points during a disastrous three-month run between September and December.
But their new-found confidence faces its toughest test so far this season when Welling come to town.
The South Londoners have been in fine form this season and currently sit third in the table.
They have lost just six times and ran out comfortable 4-0 winners when they played host to United earlier in the campaign.
Magpies boss Johnson Hippolyte knows his side will have to be at their best to get anything from the game but he insists they will not be there just to make up the numbers.
He said:“Welling are a very good side, they are continually one of the best in the league. They’ve been up in the play-offs all season and there’s a reason for that.
“They are a strong, organised side who are very hard to beat.
“But we’re not just going to roll over, we’re going to give them a game just like we did against Sutton a few weeks ago.”
That hard-fought 1-1 draw against Sutton is a game which Hippolyte feels proves his side can compete with the league’s best.
On that day, United produced a fine battling display to earn a point and they will need to show the same spirit again this weekend according to the boss.
He said:“It was a really hard-earned draw against Sutton.
“We really worked hard and we will have to do that again against Welling.
“We didn’t do ourselves justice when we went over there earlier in the season.
“But we’ve come a long way as a team since then and I’m sure it will be a lot closer this time.”
* Due to the freezing weather, Saturday's game will be subject to a pitch inspection. Keep checking the Advertiser website for any updates.
