Wealdstone v Maidenhead United - Match Preview

THE DETAILS

Wealdstone v Maidenhead United Vanarama National League Grosvenor Vale

Tuesday 2nd February, 7:45pm kick-off

HOW TO WATCH Due to the current lockdown imposed by UK government, this fixture is permitted to be played behind closed doors. Supporters can purchase a streaming pass to the fixture HERE.

THE CONTEXT When the sides last met on Boxing Day just a point separated the two teams, with the Stones sitting in that final play-off position of 7th and Maidenhead just behind in 10th. Since then the fortunes have been reversed, and despite a series of COVID-related postponements for both teams, the Magpies have propelled themselves into 6th place, beating the Stones 4-0 on Boxing Day and then posting impressive wins over Yeovil Town and FC Halifax Town. They come to the Vale bang in form.

TEAM NEWS Stones boss Dean Brennan has added two loan signings to the squad over the weekend with Deshane Dalling calling in from QPR and Harry Isted returning between the sticks for a third loan spell from Luton Town. Danny Parish is close to a return to action and could feature on Tuesday evening, Connor Stevens and Ross Lafayette could both feature before the end of the month. Danny Green will miss the clash against his former club after picking up a suspension.

FORM GUIDE Stones: Altrincham (A) 2-0 L Aldershot Town (H) 3-4 L (Lewis, Dyer, Emmanuel) Gloucester City (H) 3-1 W (Dyer, Emmanuel, Green) Hartlepool United (A) 3-1 L (Mendy) Maidenhead United (A) 4-0 L

Maidenhead United: FC Halifax Town (A) 2-3 W (Orsi 2, Coley) Yeovil Town (H) 4-2 W (Orsi 2, Parry, Sparkes) Woking (A) 0-0 D Wealdstone (H) 4-0 W (Upward, Coley, Orsi, Blissett) Weymouth (A) 3-2 L (Orsi 2)

WHO TO WATCH FOR? Danilo Orsi: After a successful 2019/20 campaign in the National League South with Hampton & Richmond Borough where the striker had 14 goals in 35 games, Orsi was signed by Magpies boss Alan Devonshire in pre-season. After spells in and out of the side at the start of the season, Orsi has really kicked on and accustomed to life a step up in leagues and comes to The Vale in red-hot form, scoring seven goals in his last five games, including one against the Stones on Boxing Day at York Road.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Played - 48 Won - 14 Drawn - 9 Lost - 25

LAST FIVE MEETINGS December 2020 - Maidenhead United 4-0 Stones October 2019 - Stones 0-2 Maidenhead United October 2019 - Maidenhead United 1-1 Stones (Lafayette) July 2018 - Stones 0-0 Maidenhead United July 2017 - Stones 1-1 Maidenhead United (Green)

Preview by Chris Woods