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    • Weekend preview: Magpies target win, Slough face bogey side and Windsor & Eton chase Wembley dream

    Daniel Darlington

    danield@baylismedia.co.uk

    04:23PM, Thursday 15 January 2026

    Maidenhead United v Enfield Town

    Having picked up their first point of the season away to Enfield Town in early August, Maidenhead United will be gunning for all three when the sides play the return fixture at York Road this Saturday.

    United come into the game off the back of a long – an unwanted – two-week break from competitive action.

    Last time out, they eventually found their groove in the second half to come from behind and beat Horsham 2-1 away from home, Matt Robinson volleying home one of the goals of the season to secure the result.

    United have a ‘bring a friend for free’ initiative running for this game, where supporters are encouraged to bring a family member or friend to York Road and connect while watching the football.

    Interim boss Ryan Peters and assistant Aaron O’Brien have made a solid enough start to their tenure in charge after taking on the reins from Alan Devonshire. The club have won five of their last seven matches to move back into play-off contention, but Peters was clearly niggled by their non-show in the derby clash with Slough Town on Boxing Day.

    Any fears of that poor performance spilling over into the next few matches were contained by the side’s impressive response in the second half at Horsham. Miles Welch-Hayes headed them level after James Hammond had given the hosts the lead from the penalty spot before Robinson’s cracking strike delivered three very welcome points.

    Since then, the weather has left them kicking their heels, with last week’s home game against Ebbsfleet United postponed due to a frozen pitch. Bath City’s progress in the FA Trophy also led to the postponement of another home game at the weekend, but the Magpies will finally get the chance to itch their competitive scratch against Enfield.

    The first match between the two teams won’t offer too many clues as to how Saturday’s match will go. It was an unenthralling clash featuring a Magpies side still finding its feet in the division following relegation. Sam Barratt crashed an effort against the bar while Manny Onariase and Josh Umerah also went close, but it was still the first point Maidenhead gained this season.

    The two teams currently have very different ambitions. Enfield find themselves in the bottom four and battling to beat the drop while Maidenhead have aspirations of at least a play-off finish. They’re currently five points off the top seven going into this game.

    The Towners find themselves in another tricky spell, having gone six games without a win in the league. However, they have shown their mettle at times and beaten some fancied teams including Ebbsfleet United and Maidstone United. There was also a recent 5-1 win over Farnborough when Lamar Reynolds scored a hat-trick, so they’re clearly no mugs on their day.

    PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

    The ‘bring a friend for free’ initiative runs until midnight on Friday, January 16 and is for supporters of both clubs.

    Upon entering the ticketing page, select OFFER TICKET - Adult, Concession, Next Generation + Guest.

    This will automatically add two tickets to your basket.

    Home supporters will also be entered into a prize draw to win a 2025/26 Second Half Membership. Gold and Silver members will need to enter their membership number to redeem the offer (email instructions should have been circulated).

    Tickets can also be purchased online before 1pm on matchdays or on the gate with cash or card accepted.

    Prices are: Adults: £18 (£20); Concessions (Over 65 years old, Student, UB40): £13.50 (£15); Next Generation (17-22 years old): £9 (£10); Under 17's: £4 (£5). Please note that u16s must be accompanied by an adult.

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    Hemel Hempstead Town v Slough Town

    Slough Town will be hoping Tuesday’s defeat at bottom club Chippenham Town proves a blip to their continued rise away from the National League South relegation zone.

    The Rebels had been in excellent form prior to Tuesday’s unexpected defeat at Hardenhuish Park; however, assistant boss Tony Fontenelle felt the 2-1 defeat was harsh on the visitors, even accounting for their relatively sluggish start.

    On balance Slough created the better of the chances and Fontenelle felt it would only be a matter of time for them to equalise after Ruben Shakpoke grabbed a goal back early in the second half. But it wasn’t to be, and they now must lick their wounds and move on to a tougher game in theory, away to promotion chasers Hemel Hempstead Town at Vauxhall Road this Saturday.

    Hemel have been something of a bogey side for Slough in recent seasons, beating them home and away last season, while also getting the better of them in the Rebels’ first home game of the season in August. But most of those wins have been by the odd goal and Scott Davies will feel his side is capable of going to Hemel and getting a positive result. Their recent form – which includes a draw at Dagenham and wins over Maidenhead United, Chesham United and Eastbourne Borough, would also suggest this will be a decent contest, despite the difference in league position. Slough sit 18th, four points above the drop zone, with Hemel in fifth, just four points behind leaders Worthing.

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    Stotfold v Flackwell Heath / Hitchin Town v Marlow

    In the Southern League Central Division, Marlow and Flackwell Heath will both hope to get back to action after seeing their mid-week game at Oak Tree Road called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

    Flackwell Heath haven’t played competitively since their 3-0 win over Aylesbury United at Wilks Park on December 27, while Marlow – who sit a point and two places below them in 16th position – managed to squeeze in one fixture, a disappointing 2-0 reverse at Hertford Town last Saturday.

    If the weather holds, Flackwell are scheduled to visit 11th placed Stotfold on Saturday, while Marlow are on the road for a third game in succession at second placed Hitchin Town.

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    Windsor & Eton v Fisher

    Windsor & Eton will look to take a step closer to Wembley when they host Fisher in the fourth round of the FA Vase on Saturday.

    Rob Webb’s side will take on opponents from the equivalent step 5 Southern Counties East Premier Division, and Webb is expecting a tough test at Stag Meadow against a technically very gifted side.

    He is though also very confident in his own squad, who are unbeaten in 16 matches in all competitions. They’re also set to be roared on by a large and expectant crowd at Stag Meadow and will feel they have the quality needed to reach the latter rounds of this competition.

    Victory will see them into the final 16, and three wins away from playing in the final at Wembley.

    While they’re in FA Vase action, promotion rivals in the Combined Counties Premier Division North will look to steal a march on them. Windsor are nine points off leaders Burnham with six games in hand and would move right into contention if they can continue their recent form.

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    Burnham v Virginia Water

    Leaders Burnham host Virginia Water on Saturday aiming to maintain or extend their lead at the top of the table with victory.

    The Blues missed the chance to move four points clear on Wednesday evening when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by fellow promotion hopefuls Wallingford & Crowmarsh. Jordan Brown scored Burnham’s only goal from the penalty spot in the first half, but it was quickly cancelled out by James Williams’ strike.

    The Blues have a two-point lead over Broadfields United at the top, but their likely title rivals sit a little lower in the table in the form of fifth placed Ardley United and seventh placed Windsor & Eton. Both would move above Burnham should they win most of their matches in hand.

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    Holyport v Hilltop

    At the bottom of the table, Holyport will be hoping they can arrest their awful recent form at home to Hilltop – however, the visitors will go into the clash as firm favourites for victory.

    Port find themselves in the bottom two relegation spots – five points from safety – and have no recent form to call upon. They’ve lost their last 12 matches in all competitions, including Saturday’s 5-2 defeat at Windsor & Eton.

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