Gary Johnson’s side will be looking to get back to winning ways on Saturday, as Maidenhead United head to Plainmoor.
After succumbing to a last-gasp defeat against Grimsby ay Blundell Park last weekend, United will be looking to take all three points against The Magpies in a bid to continue pushing towards the National League’s top-seven in what is The Gulls’ penultimate home fixture in 2021/22.
Who’s the Boss?
Alan Devonshire returned for his second stint at York Road in May 2015, and has since guided his Maidenhead side to the National League South title in 2017, as well as a top-half finish in the side’s first season in the National League.
In June last year, after achieving the club’s second highest National League finish in 13th, he extended his contract with the club, which will see him remain with the side until the conclusion of the 2023/24 campaign, having previously managed the Berkshire side in his first managerial position between 1996 and 2003.
In between his spells at York Road, he enjoyed much success at Hampton & Richmond, guiding The Beavers to the National League South via the Isthmian League, before four years at Braintree Town followed where his side achieved three top-half finishes in the National League.
As a player, Alan was a midfielder by trade, and made over 400 appearances at West Ham United, including appearing in The Hammers’ famous 1980 FA Cup Final victory.
Devonshire also gained international recognition with eight England caps, before finishing his playing career at Watford in 1992.
How have they been doing?
Currently 17th in the National League with 46 points from 40 games, the Magpies have been on a good run of form in recent weeks and are unbeaten in their last four. In their last outing in Bank Holiday Monday, Devonshire’s side earned themselves a point in a goalless draw at Bromley, having taken three points from the previous encounters against Weymouth (2-0, home), and Dover (1-0, away) – both of whom will be plying their trade in the division below next term.
Player to Watch
Emile Acquah signed on at York Road last summer from Southend on a two year deal. After progressing through the youth ranks at Roots Hall, The 21 year-old enjoyed a loan spell at Harlow Town where he scored 8 goals in 28 appearances, before returning to Essex to feature in a handful of League One fixtures for The Shrimpers.
The forward initially joined Maidenhead on loan in January 2020, before injuries at Southend prompted an early return to his parent club. Three months later, Acquah rejoined Maidenhead on loan, before making the move permanent last June.
He has scored made 28 appearances and scored 3 goals in all competitions for Alan Devonshire’s side this season, including one in United’s reverse fixture earlier in September.
Played for Both
West Bromwich-born Nathan Blissett arrived at Maidenhead in the summer of 2020 from Solihull Moors, with the 31-year-old figuring 30 times for The Magpies this season, scoring 3 goals.
Following in his Uncle Luther’s footsteps, Nathan’s big break came after signing for Kidderminster Harriers in August 2012, with a promising temporary spell at Bristol Rovers seeing the move soon after.
Another loan spell at Tranmere Rovers followed, before his arrival at Plainmoor in January 2016 added fresh impetus to a United side struggling for National League survival.
His form in a yellow shirt would ultimately seal a switch to League One-bound Devon neighbours Plymouth Argyle, before a spell at Macclesfield preceded his move to join Solihull in December 2018.
Previous Encounter
Torquay United 2 – 1 Maidenhead United, 8th December 2020, National League.
A goal in each half for Gary Johnson’s men saw United extend their lead at the top of the National League table with a 2-1 victory over Maidenhead under the floodlights at Plainmoor.
A dominant first-half display only had Ben Whitfield’s injury-time strike to show for it, however, Danny Wright’s second half effort soon gave the scoreboard a more telling story of how the first hour had unfolded. The visitors pulled a goal back late on through Shaun Donnelley, but the points remained destined to remain in the English Riviera.