MATCH PREVIEW: HAYES & YEADING VS BOREHAM WOOD

By John Mead

More often than not already this season “six pointers” have been on the menu for Ian Allinson’s side. Previous matches against Eastbourne Borough, Gosport Borough, Basingstoke Town and Havant And Waterlooville all spring to mind. Throw in the F A Cup and the welcome return of the local derby as a distraction, Wood return to the business of staying above an opponent again this Saturday.

Spared a double trip to The Kingfield, given our opponents change of home venue to York Road, the historic home of Maidenhead United this season, Wood will be looking to ensure our rivals, who are six points behind us with two games in hand, remain there.

Their recent form indicates that Phil Babb has recruited wisely. Recent re-signings Chimdi Akubuine and Tom Collins have made an instant impact. United have won on their last two outings, with defender Akubuine scoring in the 2-3 victory at Staines Town, whilst Collins in his third spell at the club hit the winner in a 2-1 victory against Bishops Stortford.

A special mention of congratulations go to the HAYU keeper Kalum Kitscha who has just returned from Istanbul representing Paul Fairclough’s England C Team in midweek.

Seventh placed United have yet to take maximum points from a top five side this season, whilst Wood have scored at least once in every match so far, whilst our opponents are still searching for their first clean sheet at home. Of course records do not last forever!

Ian and the boys will be keen to expunge last seasons poor record against out nomadic opponents. An early season 1-3 defeat at home was followed up by a truly disappointing 1-0 defeat at the end of the season, with United all but relegated at the time. They did eventually finish third from bottom but were reprieved after Hereford were kicked out of the League and have grasped the opportunity with both hands this season to ensure they are challenging at the right end of the table.

Next Saturday’s fun trip to Woking will be the last thing on the boys minds, with Gaffer Ian Allinson reiterating, “ The League is our bread and butter. We are not going to win the F A Cup but we have been in the play offs since day one and that needs to continue.”

Lee Angol will serve his one match ban after his rather controversial sending off at Havant, but Ian has options up front and it promises to be another exciting afternoon.

The squad are buoyed by our small but loyal band of travelling fans, so we hope to see you all out on the terraces for another episode in what is turning out to be the best ever season in the clubs history!

Come On You Wood!

Saturday October 18th.
Hayes And Yeading United v Boreham Wood kick off 3pm.
York Road, Maidenhead. SL6 1SF.