Match Preview
Maidenhead United v Boreham Wood
Saturday 7th March 2020, 3.00pm
York Road, Vanarama National League
On Saturday, Boreham Wood travel to Berkshire where we will match up against Maidenhead United in the Vanarama National League, kick off 3.00pm.
On their last time out, Maidenhead faced Woking away from home and disappointingly lost 2-0.
Whereas, Boreham Wood drew 2-2 away from home against local rivals Barnet on Tuesday night in a game which the visitors deserved to win following a gutsy second half performance.
THE CONTEXT
Boreham Wood are now three games without a win in the National League after they let their 2-1 lead slip in the remaining five minutes against Barnet on Tuesday night.
It was a slow start to the game for the Wood as they went into the break a goal down and not playing anywhere near their usual high standards.
After a stern talking to from Manager Luke Garrard at the interval, the Wood sprung to life and started to dominate the game which eventually led to a turn around as goals from Kane Smith and Tyrone Marsh sent the away side into the lead.
Wood were only ahead for five minutes before Paul McCallum scored a great goal on the turn after a smart interchange between Ephron Mason Clark and Chey Alexander down Wood’s left hand channel. The game ended honours even meaning both sides would leave the Hive with a point a piece.
Maidenhead lost 2-0 away to Woking in their recent fixture which means they are also three games without a win, albeit three defeats in a row. Goals from former Premier League star Matt Jarvis and Woking top goalscorer Jake Hyde, meant the Magpies would leave the Kingsfield Stadium empty handed.
MAIDENHEAD UNITED RECENT FORM
Wood travel to York Road on Saturday with our visitors experiencing a dip in form of late, sitting both 20th in the current form guide (last 6 games), as well as 20th in current league standings.
Despite back-to-back league victories over Eastleigh and Solihull Moors at the back end of January and early February respectively, the Magpies have since lost three league matches on the bounce to local southern sides Aldershot Town, Ebbsfleet United and Woking.
But as with all Alan Devonshire sides, they are never too far away from their next positive result, which they will be desperate to clinch against a Wood side who have experienced a slight dip in form of late too.
MAIDENHEAD UNITED PLAYER TO WATCH
Alan Massey, Defender
Coined as Maidenhead United’s inspirational captain, Alan Massey is our opposition player to watch for this weekend’s match day preview.
Massey has featured in 33 of his sides 36 league games this season and has been a leader at the heart of defence.
The 31-year-old has featured almost 200 times for the Magpies since joining Manager Alan Devonshire in making the transition from Braintree Town in May 2015. In just his second season at York Road, Alan and his teammates helped guide Maidenhead to the National League South title, Alan was forever present during the title winning season as he led by example which earned him Supporter’s Player of the Season award.
LAST TIME WE MET
Boreham Wood 2-1 Maidenhead United, National League, Saturday 16th November 2019
The deadlock was broken by the Wood in the 72nd minute when Justin Shaibu slipped through Kabongo Tshimanga, who calmly slotted home.
Ibra Sekajja got the equaliser for his side in the 81st minute from the penalty spot, but just four minutes later Maidenhead’s task was made more difficult when Joe Ellul was shown a second yellow card when he was adjudged to have stopped Smith’s thunderous shot on the Magpies goal with him arm meaning the visitors would play the final 10 minutes with 10 men. However Wood frontman Tyrone Marsh failed to convert the resulting penalty, meaning it looked like the game would end with a share of the points.
However, Wood continued to push for a winner and their efforts were rewarded late on when an inswinging Sorba Thomas corner was unorthodoxly tumbled over the line by Brentford loanee Justin Shaibu to steal all three points for the Wood.
IN FOCUS: DAVID STEPHENS
David Stephens has been a solid servant at the back for the Wood this season and throughout his five seasons here at Meadow Park and is our man in focus for this weekend’s match day preview.
Originally a youth team player at Norwich City before turning professional, Stephens found it difficult to break into the first team at Carrow Road. Stephens would have to move north or the border to experience his first competitive football at senior level, putting pen to paper with Scottish Premier League team Hibernian on a three-year deal in 2010. David would make 23 appearances for the SPL side over a two-year stint at Easter Road, before signing locally with National League side Barnet.
The Welwyn Garden City native enjoyed being closer to home and was playing the best football of his career, which was recognised by the Barnet fans winning their Supporter’s Player of the Season award in 2012/13 and 2013/14, before being a crucial part of Martin Allen’s side that won the National League in 2014/15.
The 28-year-old signed for the Wood in 2015 and has been forever present since. He played a critical role in the heart of the defence for the Wood in the side that reached the National League Promotion Final in 2017/18, making well over 100 appearances for the Wood since arriving at Meadow Park in 2015.
MATCH DAY INFORMATION
TICKETS
Tickets are available online in advance or on the day of the game. Prices are as follows: –
Adults – £15
Concessions – £10
Under 16’s – £5
Proof of age may be asked for at the turnstiles.
Online tickets are available to purchase by clicking here.
OFFICIAL AWAY DAY TRAVEL CLUB
The official away day travel club is in operation for our visit to Maidenhead United this Saturday.
Due to high demand we will be operating not just one but two coaches rather than our typical minibus service.
At present we have 10 spaces remaining on our second coach, with the details as follows: –
Depart from Boreham Wood FC at 12.15pm.
Prices are £20 for Adults and £15 for Under 16’s (further £5 discount applicable to season ticket holders.)
Anyone wishing to book, please contact Grant Morris on 07703 658 554 or grant.bwfc@outlook.com.
GETTING TO MAIDENHEAD UNITED
By Train: –
Maidenhead Station is on the main line from London Paddington.
On arrival, exit through the small car park, cross the dual carriageway and down Bell Street where the visiting supporters’ turnstiles are.
There are four direct trains per hour from London Paddington to Maidenhead, departing at 13 & 43 past the hour (journey time 41 minutes), and 27 & 57 past the hour (journey time 33 minutes.)
Return trains depart Maidenhead for London Paddington at 05 & 35 past the hour (42 minutes), and 28 & 58 past the hour (33 minutes.)
Off-peak day return from Elstree & Borehamwood is £20.30. Travel to St Pancras on Thameslink, then Underground (Circle or Hammersmith & City line) to Paddington. Journey time approx. 1 hour.
By Car: –
Address: Maidenhead United FC, York Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1SF.
There is no spectator car parking available at Maidenhead United’s York Road ground, however there are public car parks in close vicinity to the ground. These car parks are situated at the following locations; Town Hall, Stafferton Way, Grove Road, West Street and The Broadway, and are all a 5-minute walk to the ground.
See you there!
#WeAreTheWood
Match preview written by Joe Karadzas (Press Assistant)
