Maidenhead United manager Alan Devonshire is hoping his side can pull off a shock as they travel to promotion hopefuls Leyton Orient on Saturday. The O’s are aiming for a return to the Football League and are firm favourites but the 62 year old feels the underdog tag could help his side. Speaking to maidenhead-advertiser “everyone will be expecting us to lose apart from us, we’ll be up for it” .

• Sit 19th on 34 points – one point above the relegation zone
• Only lost two of their last seven – W3  D2  L2
• League Record – P32  W10  D4  L18  F34  A55
• Only Braintree (19) and Maidstone (20) have lost more games than Maidenhead

The Magpies head to East London after picking up their first win in three games last weekend. James Akintunde’s first for the club proved the difference against Boreham Wood. Devonshire praised the performance of his side and stated to maidenhead-advertiser “we played really well and fully deserved the win, we created a lot of chances and we hit the post as well, so we got what we deserved”.

Maidenhead’s Last Six Results

Maidenhead struggled to get into their rhythm in the first half with the windy conditions but after the break it was a different story. The Magpies should have scored more than one with assistant coach Sam Lock praising the effort of all of the players. Speaking to maidenheadunited fc “I thought we dominated the second half, we created numerous chances. The boys were excellent today, every single on of them put a shift in and they’re buzzing in there”.

• Failed to score in 14 league games – only Aldershot (16) have failed to score in more
• Scored in five of their last six games
• Scored in two of their last three away games
• Only netted more than once in one of their last eight games

With just two points separating 16th and 21st in the league table, the victory over Boreham Wood was vital to keep themselves above the dreaded relegation zone. Maidenhead finished 12th in their first season at this level last year and will be hoping to preserve their status once more. Devonshire is fully aware that with 14 games to go, there are plenty of points left to play for. Speaking to maidenhead-advertiser “I think it will go down to the wire but we know the points target we want and we won’t relax until we get them. There is a long way to go”

• Kept seven league clean sheets (four away)
• Worst defensive record in league alongside Braintree
• First clean sheet in five against Boreham Wood
• No clean sheet in last two away games but kept two in their last four
• Kept three clean sheets in last six away games

Maidenhead’s Last Five Season Finishes

Devonshire is in his fourth season with the Magpies and has been steadily improving them under his management. Their recent win should boost confidence heading into the home straight with Lock revealing to maidenheadfc “we got the three points and I couldn’t care less how it came about. The most important thing is we got the points”. Results against Orient will not determine their outcome but Devonshire will definitely have an eye on the four home games against his relegation rivals.

Key Home Games for Maidenhead

• Have conceded 31/55 goals in second half (16/25 away)
• Conceded 25 in the final 30 minutes of matches – the most in league
• Six of their last nine conceded have been in second period

After opening his account against Boreham Wood, Sam Lock is hopeful that James Akintunde can add to his tally in the end of season run in. The 22 year old moved to York Road in the summer after two years with Chester and finally ended his baron spell in front of goal. Lock spoke on Akintunde to maidenhead-advertiser “I believe there is no reason why he can’t kick on and get double figures this year. He’s that type of player. Everyone’s buzzing with confidence, it’s a really good day”.

• 19/34 goals scored have been in first half (9/15 away)
• Have netted 26% of their goals between 31-45 minutes
• Four of their last seven goals have been in first half

Devonshire’s men will be hoping they can replicate the performance which saw them leave with E10 with three points back in April. Ryan Upward netted the only goal in the game but Orient are a different proposition this season. With a big crowd expected Devonshire is aware of the size of the challenge that awaits his team tomorrow. Speaking to maidenhead-advertiser “it will be a massive test, there will be 7,000 people there”.

• Away League Record – P16  W5  D2  L9  F15  A25
• Won two of their last three on the road
• Taken ten points from last 18 available on their travels
• Only three teams conceded more on the road than Maidenhead

Team News

Midfielder Harold Odametey is suspended after getting sent off for two bookings against Boreham Wood. Recent signing Mike Fondop should be available after joining on loan from Wrexham in midweek.

Head to Head – Maidenhead 1, Draw 0, Leyton Orient 2

The Three Meetings Between Sides

• All three wins have been by the away side
• Only the away side has scored in the fixture
• All four goals in the fixture have been before 30 minutes, three in the opening 15 minutes

Last Time Out – Maidenhead 1-0 Boreham Wood, 09/02/2019

Starting 11 vs Boreham Wood

Prediction – Leyton Orient 3-1 Maidenhead