Newport game offers chance to get back on track

1:30pm Tue 18th Nov 08:: written by Steve Spencer

Maidenhead United FC host Newport County at York tonight in what has become a very important game for the Magpies.

Following two back-to-back home defeats at the hands of Eastleigh and Chelmsford City, Johnson Hippolyte's side need to bounce back with a win to maintain the pressure on leaders Chelmsford.

The fixture was rearranged from earlier this season when the game had to be abandoned because of heavy rain.

Maidenhead will be without goalkeeper Shane Gore who picked up a hamstring strain on Saturday. He will be replaced by loan signing Steve Smith.

Apart from Gore and long-term injury cases Grant Cooper and James Hamsher, Hippolyte will have a full squad to pick from.

"Physically we're fine, it's just mentally where we need to focus," said Hippolyte.

"Everyone's available except the long-term guys."

The Magpies boss added: "We know for a fact that Newport, man for man, are as good as any other team in the league. We're expecting them to come at us and we'll have to be strong."

Kick-off is 7.45pm.

See Thursday's Advertiser for full coverage of the game and post-match comments from Johnson Hippolyte.