PREVIEW | Maidenhead United (A)

THE DETAILS

Maidenhead United v Wealdstone

Vanarama National League

York Road

Sunday 2nd January, 3:00pm kick-off

TICKETS

Tickets for this game can be purchased both in advance online and at the turnstiles on the day. Sunday's match will NOT be segregated.

Tickets are priced at £18 Adults, £12 Concessions (OAPs, Students & UB40's) and £6 U16s. You can purchase them in advance online by clicking HERE.

THE CONTEXT

Both clubs come into this fixture coming off the back of COVID cases that saw the Magpies miss a chunk of games in December, although they returned on the 28th with a well-fought win over Bromley. The original tie on Boxing Day was postponed due to COVID cases in the Wealdstone camp, so the Stones last competitive match saw them knocked out of the FA Trophy by Needham Market, whilst Maidenhead had to forfeit their tie against Maidstone United due to COVID issues.

TEAM NEWS

COVID issues saw both Jayden Sweeney and Will Dennis recalled by their parent clubs whilst George Wickens continues the final game of his suspension, the Stones may have to look beyond the loan market to attract a keeper but if not then young keeper Alfie Marigliani should be in line to make his full league debut. A small number of players have recovered from COVID during the player's time in isolation. Andrew Eleftheriou remains out injured but there could be a number of players making a return to the squad following a disappointing FA Trophy defeat.

FORM GUIDE

Stones:

Needham Market (A) 2-1 L (Buse)

FC Halifax Town (H) 0-1 L

Bromley (A) 3-2 L (Umerah, Cook)

Stockport County (H) 1-4 L (Jackson)

Dover Athletic (A) 2-3 W (Sweeney 2, Umerah)

Maidenhead United:

Bromley (H) 1-0 W (Blissett)

Solihull Moors (H) 0-4 L

Southend United (A) 1-1 D (Ferdinand)

Barnet (A) 3-0 L Boreham Wood (A) 4-0 L

WHAT WAS SAID? Stuart Maynard: "It's a very difficult period for us, we've had one session since coming out of isolation to prepare for the game and it's a bit of an unknown for the lads who have had COVID coming back to training and continuing with the intensity and whether they can get through the game. Matty [Saunders] went and watched Maidenhead against Bromley and did a full scout report on them so we will see how we get on, on Sunday."

WHO TO WATCH FOR?

Sam Barratt: Barratt rejoined the Magpies in September last year after his impressive performances in his first spell with the club earned him a move to then EFL League One side Southend United. He hit the ground where he left off on his return and spent a period of last season as the league's top scorer, an impressive feat from midfield, and eventually finished the season with 15 goals. He has six so far this term as the Magpies have struggled to find goals as a team.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Played - 52

Won - 14

Drawn - 9

Lost - 29

LAST FIVE MEETINGS

Apr 2021 - Stones 0-6 Maidenhead United Dec 2020 - Maidenhead United 4-0 Stones

Oct 2019 - Stones 0-2 Maidenhead United

Oct 2019 - Maidenhead United 1-1 Stones (Lafayette)

Jul 2018 - Stones 0-0 Maidenhead United

Preview by Chris Woods