Maidenhead United FC looking 'upwards' as they enter 2013

Despite seeing his side slump to a disappointing 2-0 home defeat against Hayes & Yeading on New Year’s Day, Maidenhead United bosss Johnson Hippolyte insists his Magpies are in good shape as they head into 2013.

Going into Tuesday’s game on the back of a 6-0 win at Staines on Saturday, United were undone by goals at the start and end of the match as Hayes left with maximum points.

The defeat left Maidenhead sitting 12th in the Conference South and Hippolyte insists he is happy with the progress which has been made so far this season.

He said:“I’m happy with how things have gone so far, even though we had that six or seven game blip when we didn’t win.

“Overall I’m pleased, I feel we’ve been unlucky in some of the games we’ve lost.

“I think we’re in a lot better shape than we were, we’re a better team than we were last year.

“I honestly believe that. With the players we have now, we have a strong team and I feel it’s onwards and upwards for the rest of the season.”

In the last few weeks Hippolyte has added the likes of midfielder Joe Tibiri to his squad as well as centre backs Patrick Kanyuka and Alfie Mawson.

“They’ve made a real difference,” he said. “We look more balanced now.

“We’ve got players in now who know their positions and know what we’re looking to achieve.

“We’ve got seven points from 12 over the last four games, if you’d offered that to me at that start of that run I would have bitten your hands off.

“Even with the disappointment of losing on Tuesday we’re sitting 12th and I honestly believe we’re looking up not down.”

The Magpies boss added:“I think we look a lot more solid in defence, in the last few games Jessie Joronen hasn’t had a lot to do.

“I still think we should be scoring more goals though, even though that will sound a bit stupid having beaten Staines 6-0.

“But it’s in the tight games that we don’t seem to be taking our chances, that is something we have to work on.”

Maidenhead face two tough games this week as they look to get back to winning ways following the 2-0 defeat against Hayes.

They host fourth-placed Chelmsford City on Satur- day before visiting Boreham Wood, who sit fifth, on Wednesday night.

Hippolyte said:“They are two hard games. Chelmsford are one of the best teams in the league, they are very consistent.

“And Boreham Wood have started very well but they’ve had a couple of little blips recently.

“I think they drew twice with Staines over Christmas and we know what we did to them.

“So it’s going to be a tough week but there are never any easy games in this league so we’ll be prepared for both of them.”

Magpies midfielder Michael Pook is expected to miss Saturday’s game due to an ankle injury, Derek Duncan (knee) could return though following several weeks on the sidelines.