Maidenhead United manager Alan Devonshire has urged his players to up for the challenge when they host Leyton Orient today. The Magpies have already lost to Wrexham and Salford at home and Devonshire wants his players to be straight into another promotion contender from the first whistle. Speaking to maidenhead-advertiser  “you’ve got to get amongst these teams and let them know who you are”

• Sit 16th on 17 points – six above relegation zone
• Two wins in last five – lost other three games

Maidenhead’s Next Six Games

Devonshire’s side suffered a 3-0 home defeat to Salford last weekend, Scott Wiseman and Adam Rooney struck in the first half before Devante Rodney wrapped up victory at the death. The 62 year old felt his side were second best throughout stating to maidenhead-advertiser “we were really poor and that’s the worst 45 minutes we’ve had. They’re a good side but we didn’t get close”.

• Kept just three clean sheets – two at home
• No clean sheet in last three – conceding six
• One clean sheet in last five – (3-0 vs Halifax, 15/09/2018)
• Two clean sheets in last three home games

After just one point from their first five games, the Magpies have picked up recently but still remain inconsistent with their performances. Devonshire’s men have only won back to back games once this season and the former West Ham man was left disappointed after another defeat, “We’ve come here today off the back of a good win and we had a good crowd but we’ve let ourselves down”.

Maidenhead’s last Six Results

Devonshire is in his second spell at York Road and has been improving the Magpies since he returned in 2015. After gaining promotion from National League South in 2016, Maidenhead finished in mid table last season and will be hoping for a similar finish this season. 

Maidenhead’s last Three Seasons

The Magpies have struggled against the promotion chasers with only six points from 21 coming against top half teams,  Devonshire highlights that they can’t give Orient too much respect. Speaking to maidenhead-advertiser on Salford and Orient games, “Salford are a good side but so are Leyton Orient, are we just going to stand off them aswell?”

• Failed to score in five league games – two at home
• Failed in two of their last three games
• But have scored two or more in 6 of last 9 games
• Scored 12/19 goals in first half – 7/11 home goals
• Netted six between 31-45 – most in league

The O’s arrive at York Road in second spot after having their unbeaten run ended by Sutton last Saturday. Orient won at York Road last season, with a good crowd expected, Devonshire is aware that Orient will be looking for a reaction. Speaking to maidenhead-advertiser “Leyton Orient lost to Sutton which means they’ll be working even harder next week. We’ll look forward to it and I’ll probably change a few things we’ll see”

• Home Record – P7  W3  D1  L3  F11  A12 
• Since promotion 60% league points have been picked up at home – 49/81
• Scored in four of their last five home games (scoring at least two goals in all four)
• Only Dover (13) and Braintree (16) have conceded more home goals than Maidenhead (12)

Team News

Christian Smith returning in defence last week and should continue at the back. Manager Devonshire made a double change after 30 minutes against Salford and hinted there will be changes against Orient. Striker Josh Kelly has involved in Maidenhead’s last seven home goals and will be hoping to add to that tally. Alan Massey remains injured.

Head to Head

• Two previous meetings, both ending in 1-0 away wins

Two meetings last Season

Last Time Out – 0-3 vs Salford City

Starting 11 vs Salford

Prediction – Maidenhead 1-2 Leyton Orient