Following on from Saturday’s draw at Boreham Wood, United make the trip to York Road tomorrow to take on Maidenhead United.
With things getting increasingly tight at the top of the National League, Gary Johnson’s men will be looking to claim all three points in Berkshire in a bid to reassert their own promotion credentials.
Who’s The Boss?
Experienced manager Alan Devonshire is currently enjoying his second spell in charge of Maidenhead, having previously been in charge for a seven-year spell between 1996-2003. Devonshire earned himself legendary status during a 14-year playing career at West Ham United, culminating in winning eight England caps during the early 1980s.
His first spell in charge of Maidenhead lasted over 300 matches and was hugely successful, including winning promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division, securing the Isthmian League Full Members Cup, along with four Berks & Bucks Senior Cups victories.
More success followed at Hampton & Richmond Borough and Braintree, before Alan returned to York Road in 2015, heralding another golden spell, with The Magpies duly winning promotion to non-League’s top flight two years later.
How Have They Been Doing?
36 points from 24 games sees Devonshire’s men occupy 14th position in the National League table, and although a four-point deficit to the play-off positions is far from insurmountable with plenty of games remaining, there may be some frustration in the Maidenhead ranks that a recent dip in form has seen them slide out of the division’s leading places, with a 3-2 success at Halifax at the end of January leaving them in 6th place.
A six-game winless streak thereafter was finally put to bed in style last Saturday following a 2-0 home win over an improving Chesterfield side, and having rediscovered some of their best form again, The Magpies will be looking to build on that result with another impressive showing against The Gulls.
Player To Watch
Talented winger Sam Barratt is, like his manager, enjoying his second stint at York Road, following a two-year spell in League One with Southend United.
Between 2014-18, Sam made nearly a century of appearances in Black & White before fulfilling his EFL ambitions at Roots Hall, and although his spell at Southend yielded only ten League appearances, that experience undoubtedly put him in good stead for a return to his former stomping ground last September, with Barratt currently topping his side’s scoring charts, with nine goals from seventeen outings so far.
Played For Both
Despite his stay at Plainmoor lasting no longer than twelve months, Dan Sparkes’ committed and cultured displays in a Gulls shirt endeared him the Yellow Army, whilst his 6 goals in 35 games played a large part in helping United avoid National League relegation following a difficult 2016/17.
Having represented fellow non-League sides Histon and Braintree prior to his arrival on the English Riviera, his departure in July 2017 saw him made a return to the capital with Dagenham & Redbridge, and then Barnet, his next destinations, prior to signing for Devonshire’s men last August.
Previous Encounter
Elliott Romain’s late winner sealed a 2-1 win for United on their last trip to York Road in February 2018, however it proved to be a rare moment of success for Gary Owers’ side, who ultimately suffered relegation to National League South at the end of the 2017/18 campaign.
Nevertheless, Aaron Barnes’ first-half thunderbolt was the perfect way for on-loan man to register his first senior goal, and despite it later being cancelled out by Ryan Upward’s leveller, Romain’s late intervention meant all three points went the way of the men in yellow.
More of the same tomorrow, please lads!
In association with LV BET
Torquay United AFC will be providing live commentary of the encounter via Official TUFC Radio.
National League | Maidenhead United Vs Torquay United |16/03/21 | 7:45pm KO