2025/26 Match Preview: Maidenhead United vs Worthing

Men

National League South Sat 4 October York Road

Maidenhead Utd

Worthing

15:00

Following Chris Agutter’s departure from the Club on Thursday night, Assistant Manager Dean Hammond will take the reins for the next three matches, starting with tomorrow’s encounter with Maidenhead.

It’s consecutive away trips for the Reds, as last weekend they visited seventh tier side Wimborne Town in the FA Cup. Agutter’s tenure ended with a triumph, as goals from Jack Spong, Sam Packham and Temi Babalola secured a spot in the fourth qualifying round of the competition.

The subsequent draw saw Worthing matched with National League leaders Forest Green Rovers in the next stage, with the tie set to be played on Monday 13th October live on TNT Sports. Alongside Robbie Savage’s side coming to town, the Emirates FA Cup 1st Round Draw will be held from our 1886 Lounge, in partnership with Jones & Tomlin.

Our last league outing occurred a fortnight ago as we fell to a narrow home defeat to a resilient Tonbridge Angels outfit. That result leaves the Rebels in 11th position, with an equal amount of victories, draws and defeats after nine games.

THE OPPOSITION

After going winless in their opening four league matches of the season, Maidenhead have emphatically turned their fortunes around with five successive league wins.

Their unstoppable form has translated into a resurgence up the table after a slow start to life back in the sixth tier. Currently, Alan Devonshire’s side lie in 4th position, seven points off league leaders Hornchurch with a game in hand.

A lot of their success can be attributed to their defensive solidity, with only two teams in the division conceding less than their eight goals so far.

Maidenhead are searching for an immediate return to the top tier of Non-League football, as their relegation last season ended an eight-year stay in the National League. A 3-0 win on the final day of the 2024/25 season was not enough to avoid the drop, as Wealdstone survived by finishing a single point above the Magpies.

Their last campaign in the National League South culminated with them lifting the title at York Road back in the 2016/17 season.

The club is seeped in history having played at their current stadium since 1871, making it the oldest senior football ground continuously used by the same club in the world. In that same year, they were one of the fifteen clubs to play in the inaugural FA Cup.

Tomorrow’s opponents have had a fortnight to prepare for the weekend’s fixture, having already bowed out of the FA Cup in the second round qualifying stage to Faversham Town.

THE GAFFER

Across two spells at Maidenhead, Alan Devonshire has been in charge at York Road for an astounding 22 years.

His first stint spanned from 1996 to 2003, before rejoining the Magpies 12 years later. In May, he celebrated a decade at the helm in his second spell and the managerial stalwart is continuously adapting to the ever-changing demands of football.

The flat cap sporting tactician is well revered around York Road not only for his longevity, but the stability he has brought into the club.

The 69-year-old transformed the Magpies from relegation strugglers to play-off challengers in his first season of his second spell, before winning the title with 98 points the following term. Eight years in the fifth tier ensued, but they were unable to progress into the Football League during that period.

Aside from Maidenhead, the experienced manager has also occupied the dugout at Brentford Women, Osterley, Hampton & Richmond Borough and Braintree Town.

Devonshire made eight appearances for England as a player, while also lifting the FA Cup with West Ham United in 1980. A true Hammers legend, the former midfielder played over 350 times for the East London club.

ONE TO WATCH

Josh Popoola has impressed during recent weeks and has been a catalyst for Maidenhead’s rejuvenation.

Eye-catching performances and crucial goals in the month of September resulted in the winger being shortlisted for the Enterprise Rent-A-Car National League South’s Player of the Month, alongside our very own Temi Babalola.

Popoola netted a brace in the 4-0 away win over Bath City while also scoring a last-gasp winner in the 2-1 victory over Chelmsford City.

The 21-year-old signed for the Magpies during the summer after a successful trial period. Last season, he stood out in the National League North for Buxton, with his 12 goal contributions helping his former side to a play-off finish.

In his youth, Popoola was on the books at Watford and Bournemouth, before turning out for a plethora of Non-League clubs, including Chorley, Cheshunt and Spennymoor Town.

FORM

Maidenhead United | W5 D2 L2 GD: +6. | Pos: 4th

League Form: WWWWW

MD5: Maidenhead United 2-1 Horsham | Scorers: Remy Clerima and Jayden Mitchell-Lawson

MD6: Dover Athletic 1-2 Maidenhead United | Scorers: Will De Havilland x2

MD7: Bath City 0-4 Maidenhead United | Scorers: O.G, Josh Popoola x2 and Liam Dulson

MD8: Maidenhead United 2-1 Chelmsford City | Scorers: Liam Dulson and Josh Popoola

MD9: Maidstone United 0-1 Maidenhead United | Scorers: Matt Robinson

Worthing FC | W3 D3 L3 GD: +3 | Pos: 11th

League Form: LWWDL

MD5: Chippenham Town 1-0 Worthing

MD6: Worthing 3-3 Maidstone United | Scorers: Harry Ransom, Nicky Wheeler and Temi Babalola

MD7: Worthing 2-0 Salisbury | Scorers: Joe Cook & Joel Colbran

MD8: Dagenham & Redbridge 2-5 Worthing: Scorers: Temi Babalola, Joel Colbran, Razzaq Coleman De-Graft, Brad Dolaghan & Trent Rendall (O.G)

MD9: Worthing 0-1 Tonbridge Angels

Match Officials

Scott Simpson will be the match official. He will be assisted by Andrew Crossley and Edward Smith, while Patrick Nixon will be the fourth official.

Address, Directions and Parking

ADDRESS: York Rd, Maidenhead, SL6 1SF

BY CAR

From M4: Exit at J8/9 and take A404(M)/A308(M) exit to High Wycombe/Maidenhead. Follow signs for Maidenhead Central and at roundabout take first exit onto Windsor Road/A308. At next roundabout take third exit onto Stafferton Way. Continue onto Stafferton Link, take a sharp left onto Forlease Road and first exit at mini-roundabout onto York Road.

From M40: Exit at J4 and take the exit for A404. At the next roundabout, take the second exit onto Marlow Road/A308. At the roundabout, take the second exit onto Frascati Way/A308. Take the third left turn onto Broadway, the second right turn onto Park Street then first right turn onto York Road.

Unfortunately, there is NO parking available at York Road Stadium.

BY TRAIN

Maidenhead Rail Station is opposite the Bell Street entrance to the ground. There are plenty of cycle parking spaces at the station which is served by regular trains from London and Reading.

Tickets

This match will be segregated. Please ensure you purchase your ticket labelled ‘Away Supporter’ if you wish to locate yourself in the Away End.

Secure your tickets through the following link: https://ethicalticketing.org/maidenhead-united-fc/event/495086427

Admission Prices are as follow:

Adult: £18.00

Concessions (Over 65, Disabled, Student, UB40):£13.50

Next Generation (17-22): £9.00

Under 17: £4.00

Please note online prices are only available until two hours before kick-off.

U16s and children attending first team games at York Road must be accompanied by an adult ( aged 18 and above). Supporters aged 16 to 18 may be asked to show ID.

Please note that match tickets are non-refundable once purchased. Maidenhead choose to cover all service and booking fees to keep prices as low as possible. In the event that a match is postponed, your ticket will be valid for the rescheduled date. If you are unable to attend the rescheduled date, you may request a refund, but the aforementioned fees involved are non-refundable. However, tickets can be easily transferred to another fan at no cost.

How to Follow

If you can’t be at the game, you can follow the game via live updates from the club’s official Twitter account.

You can also listen to live commentary via the club’s official commentary service.