Odelusi arrives as Maidenhead United look to bounce back against AFC Totton

Siju Odelusi in training for Maidenhead. Photo: MUFC

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Maidenhead United will have a new face in their squad for this evening’s clash with AFC Totton, following the loan signing of Siju Odelusi from Sutton United.

The 27-year-old midfielder trained with his new teammates yesterday (Monday) and is likely to go straight into the squad for this evening’s game against a Totton side showing some decent league form.

Odelusi arrives at York Road having made 11 appearances across the season for Dover Athletic and Sutton United and Ryan Peters will be hoping he can provide new impetus and ideas to a side who struggled to break down Chippenham Town on Saturday.

Having worked so hard over the past few weeks to finally claim one of the division’s play-off places, the Magpies let it slip from their grasp immediately off the back of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at bottom club Chippenham.

Having fallen behind to Harry Parson’s first half penalty, they struggled to get into the contest and create any real chances of note until the final few minutes when Chippenham sat back and looked to protect the lead they had - something they did with only the odd moment of panic.

The result sees Maidenhead drop to 10th and they now have it all to do again to get into - and then cement - one of the division’s play-off spots.

Peters said he was keen for his team to play Totton as they look to get Saturday’s disappointing game out of their system. It was their first defeat in six matches going back to their 3-0 loss at Ebbsfleet United on January 31.

They’re also in the midst of an incredibly hectic period in their season. Tonight’s game with 14th placed Totton will be the first of six home games this month, while eight games in total will be played across March. They will need fresh legs and new options from the bench or to start matches which is why Ryan Peters has brought in the likes of Cameron Eubank, Dillon De Silva and now Odelusi.

Odelusi will wear the number 24 for the remainder of the season and got down to work with his new teammates in training yesterday.

Totton could prove stubborn opponents for the Magpies this evening and come to York Road in good form. They’re unbeaten in their last four games, having got the better of Dagenham & Redbridge and Hornchurch during that run. They’ve also drawn with Slough Town and Hampton & Richmond Borough in recent weeks, and look set to avoid the relegation scrap going on beneath them in the table.

The Stags began the season well and were in the play-off spots during the early weeks of the season, but they haven’t been able to maintain that challenge and would need a strong finish to rectify those hopes. Like Maidenhead though, they may not have given up hope of a top seven finish.

Their recent resurgence should give them some hope and a win this evening would further bolster their confidence it can be done.

On Saturday, they won 2-0 away at Dagenham & Redbridge and will likely employ similar tactics to try and get the same result against another of last season’s demoted sides at York Road.

Tyler Cordner and Ashley Clarke bagged the winning goals.

United will be looking to get the better of them for the first time this season having lost 2-1 to the Stags at the Snows Stadium earlier in the season.

Joe Oastler opened the scoring midway through the first half and although Josh Umerah drew the Magpies level from the penalty spot, Christie Ward was able to tap home the winner when a shot rebounded kindly to him.

Their experienced striker Tony Lee may not be fit to lead the line for the Stags this evening. The 30-year-old tops the scoring charts for his side with 12 goals, followed by Ashley Clarke on seven. Clarke has signed on loan from Premier League side AFC Bournemouth.