Maidenhead United aim to halt recent slide against in-form Salisbury side

Maidenhead United head to Salisbury tomorrow night (Tuesday) off the back of six defeats in seven in all competitions, but there were positives for the management team to take from Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Dagenham & Redbridge.

Booed off by fans following their 2-0 defeat in the second round of the FA Trophy and roundly criticised by supporters on social media, Maidenhead needed to give their travelling support some effort, endeavour and enthusiasm at Victoria Road - and this they delivered, even if their faltering attack still struggled to carve out decent chances.

In the end, the Magpies went down to a narrow defeat, with Joe Haigh tucking home the game’s only goal just before the hour mark from Andy Carroll’s knockdown. The result lifted the Daggers above the Magpies in the table, and it sees Alan Devonshire’s team slide to within six points of the National League South relegation zone.

A response is required, both in terms of performances and results and the Magpies will be keen to deliver that at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium tomorrow.

Unlike the Magpies, Salisbury are starting to find form in the league after a wretched start to the season. It took them 12 matches to register their first league victory, a 2-1 home win over Maidenhead’s neighbours Slough Town back on October 18 and ever since they’ve been racking up the points.

Farnborough were toppled 1-0 shortly afterwards, there was a creditable 2-2 draw at Chippenham Town. Then came away wins over Chesham United and Enfield followed by Saturday’s confident 3-0 home win over Chelmsford City.

Salisbury may be beneath the Magpies in the actual table, but they’ll be way above them in the form table, so this may not be the game Devonshire and co would have chosen for them to get back on track.

Climbing out of the bottom three with five wins from their last eight matches, they face a side who’ve lost six of their last seven in all competitions. Maidenhead boss Devonshire knew there would be some sticky spells on the team’s return to the National League South, but he would have been expecting his new look squad to have competed much better in recent matches.

Brian Dutton’s side did taste defeat recently when they were eliminated from the FA Trophy in a 4-3 defeat to Plymouth Parkway.

Also, despite their recent uptick in form they - like Maidenhead - have found goals hard to come by.

Noah Coppin is top of their scoring chart with three so far. He tends to operate alongside of Matty Taylor, a player many may be familiar with given his three stints at Oxford United amongst other EFL clubs.

The teams last met over a decade ago - 13 years to be precise - when the Magpies were defeated 1-0 on their own ground. The current Salisbury manager Brian Dutton grabbed the game’s only goal with a second half header at York Road.

The Whites, named Salisbury City at the time, would eventually finish second and miss out on promotion by just three points.

The last time Maidenhead triumphed over Salisbury came just over a year earlier with Martel Powell and Richard Pacquette grabbing the goals in a 2-0 win at the Ray Mac.

Ticket prices are as follows: Standing: Adult: £17; Concession (65+ or student w/ valid ID): £13; Under 18s: £6; Under 5s: FREE. (Disability tickets are also available at the price listed above)

Seated: Adult: £18; Concession (65+ or student w/ valid ID): £14; Under 18s: £7; Under 5s: FREE.

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Maidenhead United’s media team have also delved into the history of the town ahead of tomorrow’s clash:

“Salisbury and its cathedral house many historic artefacts, some of which date back almost 800 years. The Cathedral is home to the tallest church spire in Britain, standing at over 123 metres tall. Salisbury Cathedral is also home to the oldest working mechanical clock in the world, dating back to 1386 – meaning in that time it has ticked over 4.4 billion times. It also provides home to one of only four surviving copies of the Magna Carta, an attraction that even brought Jay Z to town in 2015 as he released the artwork for his album, Magna Carta Holy Grail.”

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Most recent results

Maidenhead United 0-1 Salisbury City (2012)

Salisbury City 1-1 Maidenhead United (2012)

Maidenhead United 0-1 Salisbury City (2012)

Salisbury City 0-2 Maidenhead United (2011)

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Directions

Salisbury FC’s The Raymond McEnhill Stadium is located 3 miles outside the city centre in Old Sarum. It is accessible via a 40-minute walk from the town centre, or via a short bus journey. Salisbury Reds’ PR11 travels between the city centre and will drop you off next to the stadium. Alternatively, the X4, X5, and Activ8 buses go between Blue Boar Row and the Beehive Roundabout, which is a 15-minute walk from the Ray Mac.

If travelling by car, take the first exit on the Beehive Roundabout after the Park & Ride. Take the second exit at the next roundabout and then turn left onto Partridge Way after the crossroads. The Raymond McEnhill Stadium is located at the end of the street. Please do not park in the housing estate or on Partridge Way. Parking is available for £2.