COMMUNITY TRUST MANAGER: Helen Preedy (helenpreedy@maidenheadunitedfcorg)
MAIDENHEAD UNITED IN THE COMMUNITY: Mark Nisbet
The Club operates its commercial activities through Maidenhead United FC Ltd, York Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 1SF Company No: 05691046, VAT No: 442328173 The Club is a member of the Vanarama National League and is therefore subject to the league’s rules and regulations The persons of significant control in the Club as defined in National League rule 213 are Peter Griffin and MUFC Ltd
CLUB NEWS
The Magpies are delighted to welcome two new January signings who join us subject to international clearance.
Ricky Korboa is a winger who scored seven goals in 22 National League appearances last season as Woking successfully staved off relegation. Korboa started his playing career with Carshalton Athletic and has since featured in the EFL for Northampton Town and Sutton United He joins Maidenhead having most recently been with Scottish club Livingston.
Noah Stewart is a 20-year-old forward who joins United from Sports Direct Premiership side Ballymena United in his native Northern Ireland. Stewart, who started off at Belfast-based Linfield, helped the Braidmen avoid relegation last season, and it is rumoured that a whole host of rival National League clubs were interested in signing the youngster
Making their exits meanwhile on a temporary basis are Zac Bell, Jamie Davies, Jadyn Dundas and Christian Johnson At the time of writing, Bell was due to put pen to paper on a one-month loan move to National League South promotion-chasers Truro City. Bell – who joined the Magpies from Bristol City last summer – has had a frustrating time some far as a Magpie, having been a victim of the injury jinx which was rocked our season. Zac has made five first-team starts this season and we wish him well as he looks to regain match fitness at the Truro Sports Hub
Teenagers Davies, Dundas and Johnson have all joined Step 4 side Thatcham Town of the Southern League Division 1 South The Kingfishers are managed by former Magpie Yashwa Romeo and it is a second spell with Thatcham for Johnson who enjoyed a spell in West Berkshire last season The forward has also spent time with Flackwell Heath and Risborough Rangers earlier in this campaign, whilst Davies and Dundas – who have both featured in the National League Cup for the Magpies this season – have both enjoyed loan spells with Beaconsfield in Southern League Division 1 South Central in the first half of 2024/25.
We wish Ricky and Noah the greatest success in their time with us whilst we will keep an interested eye on those departing – albeit temporarily – on loan as Alan Devonshire reshuffles his squad with the aim of securing a ninth successive season at this level.
ALAN DEVONSHIRE
Alan Devonshire gave an honest reflection of the campaign so far as we enter the second half of the 2024/25 season
The Vanarama National League remains a hotly contested affair down towards the relegation zone with United in touching distance of the teams immediately above them “[It’s been] slightly disappointing with the results,” said Devonshire. “Not really with the effort from the lads, but, because we’ve had a lot of injuries this year, we haven’t been able to do anything now until January So, bringing in an extra couple of players I like to think will help, but at the end of the day they will take time to settle in So yeah, hopefully the second half of the season will be better.”
Recent performances have shown a marked improvement. The Magpies put in a valiant display against a Solihull Moors side who had a man advantage for 45 minutes, whilst Boxing Day yielding three points from Wealdstone Despite a defeat on New Year’s Day at Woking, United performed well and multiple strikes against the woodwork indicated luck just wasn’t going to go Maidenhead’s way Devonshire added “We need to just push on and get results; we’ve got to play with intensity – that is the way we have to play – and if we carry on doing that, we’ll be fine”
The gaffer’s confidence comes amid two new signings over the Christmas break. Winger Ricky Korboa is set to join from Livingston, while 20-year-old Noah Stewart joins from Northern Ireland’s Ballymena United. Devonshire remained tight-lipped as to whether York Road could be welcoming even more new faces in the coming weeks
“We could do, we could do We will look at things,” Devonshire said when pressed on making further signings. “We’ve brought in Ricky, who will hopefully play off the right. We’ve missed Jadyn [Mitchell-Lawson] since he’s been injured, and we’ve tried other people and that, so I like to think he could fit in there Noah will come in and give us another option up top because we’ve only got the two boys at the moment with Tobi [Sho-Silva] being out long-term with injury So yeah, listen, at the end of the day, we know what we’ve got to do, and the boys are up for it”
The 12th man can make all the difference on a matchday, and with our interview drawing to a close, Devonshire gave a rallying call to supporters “Get behind the lads,” he said. “[The supporters] were great at Woking; we’d lost 3-1, and they still clapped us, and they knew how unlucky we were But, at the end of the day, we need points on the board; we need you to get behind us – it gives a big lift for the lads when you’re behind us – so let’s get the results we need.”
AROUND THE LEAGUE
The big freeze saw only two Vanarama National League matches go ahead last weekend, whilst Tamworth and Dagenham & Redbridge were also in FA Cup action.
George Moncur snatched a point for Ebbsfleet at Boston as the battle of the bottom two ended in a 2-2 draw Jacob Hazel
Credit: Andy Fitzsimmons thought he’d given the hosts a 12th-minute lead only for an offside flag to halt his celebrations, before a good save from goalkeeper Tom Donaghy prevented Moncur giving the visitors the lead Defender Tom Leak had to clear Aaron Cosgrave's shot off the line, but Ebbsfleet went in front with 22 minutes gone when Cosgrave pounced on Cameron Green's loose pass and beat Donaghy Fleet keeper Cousins denied Tony Weston with his legs but strike partner Adam Marriott fired home the equaliser six minutes before the break following a corner. The home side went ahead with 23 minutes remaining when fellow substitute Sam Osborne made the most of Weston's assist. However, Moncur's superb 25-yard curler six minutes from time ensured the spoils were shared
Meanwhile, in Somerset Aiden O'Brien struck on his Woking debut to help his new side claim a National League draw at Yeovil The point edges Woking six points clear of the relegation places while Yeovil inch up to ninth, three points off the playoffs. Aaron Jarvis sent a header over Will Jaaskelainen to put Yeovil ahead as the first half was winding to a close and they nearly doubled their lead, but Sean McGurk saw a curling effort clip the outside of the post. Moments later, Woking were level as substitute O'Brien fired low beyond Ollie Wright in the 74th minute.
In the Round 5 draw for the Isuzu FA Trophy, National Legue clubs were largely kept apart, with Altrincham vs Eastleigh the only all-National-League tie The last sixteen draw sees Southend with home advantage again, as they welcome Step 4 side Sittingbourne to Essex in three weeks' time. Aldershot also have home advantage against renowned cup fighters Boreham Wood, bouncing back to their best form in National League South under Luke Garrard The Magpies game against The Shots on February 1st will now be moved to Tuesday March 18th. 1985 runners up Boston will make the pilgrimage up the east coast to National League North outfit Spennymoor. Forest Green will visit Oxford City, Woking will go to Gainsborough, and Sutton United will make the trip to Slough-slayers Kidderminster Rochdale will make the long trip south to Worthing
WOMEN’S TEAM
The Magpies Women were frustrated by the postponement of their first game in 2025 as the fixture at Bournemouth Sports fell afoul of the weather a fortnight ago. They will start the new year with rearranged game at home against the Sports local rivals AFC Bournemouth at Burnham FC tomorrow afternoon (1:30pm) The Cherries Women are FAWNL Division 1 South West promotion favourites, currently standing just four points behind Swindon Town with no fewer than six games in hand. Remarkably, Bournemouth Women have not lost a FAWNL match since
March 2023, having been denied the divisional title and promotion by just two points last season.
Last time out before Christmas, United were defeated at the first hurdle in the Combined Counties League Women’s Cup, surrendering the trophy they won last May as FAWNL Division 1 South East promotion-chasers Actonians won an exciting game 3-2 at York Road. United were always playing catch up in the game, with Simone O’Brien’s delicious cross in the second half being diverted by an Actonians player into her own net under pressure from Poppy Whitburn. Actonians reestablished their two-goal lead before teenager Whitburn – on her York Road debut – scored with a magnificent finish after an assist by Natalie Cowell to set up a grandstand finish.
Whilst the First Team have been out of action, the 3G surface at Cox Green Leisure Centre was able to host the Development team’s league match with title-chasing Billericay Town a fortnight ago United’s youngsters had already knocked the Essex side out of the FAWNL Reserve Plate competition earlier in the season and they gave a talented opposition side a difficult fixture once again Isla Callison gave the visitors a two-goal lead early on with two excellent strikes, but Maidenhead were back in the game when Amelie Mayani met Lorena Lopez-Catalan’s pass with a sweet finish. A United squad featuring ten teenagers had much of the second half, but the visitors sealed the three points when Sophie Hart was quickest to the rebound after Magpies ‘keeper Amy Whale had made a smart save
There is plenty to look forward to for MUWFC in 2025. The First Team will play Reading FC in their Berks & Bucks Cup semi-final in February, with the Development team in the last four of the BBFA Trophy the same afternoon at Milton Keynes City. The Devs also have their FAWNL Plate semi-final at Stoke on 26th January Tomorrow’s FAWNL match for the Firsts is FREE for MUFC Gold members, £5 for adults, £2 concessions.
ON THE ROAD
A red card in the 64th minute paved the way for an unsuccessful trip to Woking for the Magpies on New Year’s Day as Alan Devonshire’s side suffered a 3-1 defeat. Dev made one change from the side which beat Wealdstone on Boxing Day, with Miles Welch-Hayes replacing Manny Onariase in defence.
Torrential rain hampered playing conditions at Kingfield Stadium, but the game got going as
Credit: Andy Fitzsimmons
scheduled with United kicking off in the first half. It took just four minutes for the hosts to open the scoring Harry Beautyman played Inih Effiong through a large gap in the Maidenhead defence, and the striker – who last faced United just five weeks ago as Braintree player – worked his way around Craig Ross and fired home
A rejuvenated United soon peppered Will Jaaskelainen’s goal, with the Finnish ‘keeper earning Man of the Match for his performance Will de Havilland would be the first to shoot towards goal, latching on to a clever backheel from Tristan Abrahams, but the defender’s shot ricocheted off the bottom of the crossbar Reece Smith would prove to be a thorn in the Cardinals’ side, first setting up Shawn McCoulsky who was unable to connect. Two minutes later, Smith himself would challenge the Woking ‘keeper, forcing him into a sprawling save
United would be rewarded for their persistence as the game approached half-time Cian Harries’ hash clearance only went as far as Abrahams, who struck from 20 yards out past Jaaskelainen and into the bottom left corner.
The second half was a quieter affair for the first quarter of an hour, but the first controversial decision came when Abrahams was brought down in the penalty area in front of the 211-strong travelling faithful. Less than ten minutes later, the pivotal moment of the match came as Miles Welch-Hayes brought down Beautyman in the box Although not the strongest challenge, the tackle was deemed enough for Welch-Hayes to be sent his marching orders Beautyman would then convert his own penalty, restoring the Cardinals’ lead.
Akin to their performance against Solihull Moors, United refused to give in despite their opponents’ man advantage De Havilland would strike the woodwork for the second time, large in part thanks to the deflection from a Woking defender Another penalty appeal for Maidenhead was dismissed in the 69th minute. Tyrese Dyce was tackled with the ball in a dangerous area, but again this was waved away.
Dyce almost had himself an equaliser with less than ten minutes to go His header from a set piece beat Jaaskelainen, with agonising groans as the Woking defence scrambled to clear it off the line. Ultimately, the hosts would put to bed any chance of a Maidenhead comeback when Inih Effiong converted a low cross in stoppage time
MEET THE OPPOSITION
AFC Fylde have packed many high and fewer lows into 36 years of existence since Kirkham Town and Wesham FC merged in 1988 As recently as 1993, the club were playing in Division 2 of the West Lancashire League when they achieved the first of nine promotions.
The club was renamed AFC Fylde in 2008 and they moved into the opulent Mill Farm facility in 2016 The site is on the outskirts of the small town of Wesham, based 9 miles from Blackpool to the west and 11 miles from Preston to the east The club had previously had their ambitions to move to the village of Wrea Green rejected by the local council Sounds familiar
The first club to have won both the FA Vase (as ‘Kirkham & Wesham’ in 2008) and FA Trophy (versus Leyton Orient in 2019), AFC Fylde won the National League North in the same unforgettable 2016/17 season as our Magpies won the southern section. Play off finalists in 2019, they were surprisingly demoted after the COVID-disrupted season in 2020 only to reclaim their place at Step 1 in 2023
The priority again this season seems to be to secure their National League status, after the dismissal of Chris Beech earlier in the season Beech has been replaced by Kevin Phillips. The Coasters come to Berkshire today after a lengthy hiatus, having not played since Boxing Day On that afternoon, a Rochdale side featuring former Magpie Sam Beckwith won a Lancashire derby by a 3-1 margin. Kairo Mitchell's brace helped Dale come from behind to win. Gavin Massey had opened the scoring in the fifth minute for the hosts, before Mitchell's 18th-minute effort drew the scores level. Harvey Gilmour's goal after the break saw Rochdale take the lead for the first time and Mitchell's second after 64 minutes confirmed the three points for Jim McNulty's men
Their last victory came back on 10th December against bottom-placed side Ebbsfleet It was the Kent club's 14th league reversal this term as Fylde dominated the first half, with Nick Haughton twice going close. They broke the deadlock after 56 minutes when Charlie Jolley fired high into the net Ebbsfleet's stubborn resistance was finally broken as Fylde made certain of maximum points and a sixth league win of the season when Jon Ustabasi doubled their lead in the 71st minute. Fylde will be looking for similar from today’s ‘six-pointer’
The Gaffer – Kevin Phillips
Today’s two competing clubs have both shown faith in managers who both respectively won exactly eight full caps for England Kevin Phillips is a Sunderland legend who was appointed to the hotseat at Mill Farm in October 2024 Phillips made his name at The Stadium of Light, scoring 130 goals in 235 games during a six-season spell. He also became the only Englishman to win the European Golden Shoe and was Premier League Golden Boot winner in 2000, at the of his first campaign at the top level
After hanging up his boots in 2014, Phillips moved into coaching and held positions at Leicester City, Derby County and Stoke City. In January 2022, Phillips was named manager of ambitious South Shields and guided the Mariners to a play-off place in his first campaign whereupon they were defeated by Warrington on penalties He subsequently led to the Tyne and Wear cub to the Northern Premier League title with two games to spare at the end of 2022/23, with a win ratio of 58% during that spell. Phillips joined Hartlepool United as Head Coach in January 2024 but left his post at the end of April the same year
THREE TO WATCH
Nick Haughton is a creative midfielder who has been an important player for Fylde Man of the match in the FA Trophy final in 2019, the Urmston born star has also featured for Salford City and The Coasters local rivals, Fleetwood Town Haughton scored a terrific match-clinching fourth goal in last season’s fixture at Mill Farm.
Danny Ormerod scored twice in an impressive performance in the Coasters 4-1 victory against the Magpies last March The 18year-old had been a key figure in the Academy side at Mill Farm and featured for the first team last season having also been heavily in the 2023/24 FA Youth Cup run
Jon Ustabasi joined the Coasters in the summer of 2023 as a free agent following the expiry of his contract with Chorley FC A pacey, exciting, attacking player, Ustabaşi spent several years in Turkey, the birthplace of his father, starting with Denizlispor U21s. He was also on the books of the likes of Bursasport and FC Schkupi.
LAST TIME OUT
A dominant Maidenhead United performance rounds off 2024 with three goals and three points under the lights Shawn McCoulsky grabbed a brace while Reece Smith ensured the points remained in Berkshire scoring in the closing minutes.
A chilly afternoon at York Road started brightly for United, with Reece Smith and Owen
Cochrane combining well down the right The new permanent signing delivered a nice ball into the area causing a moment of panic in the Wealdstone area before Toby Steward cleared any danger The Magpies ventured forward again and again Cochrane was involved, this time going for goal himself, but his effort sailed over Steward’s goal
With just over 15 minutes on the clock, United’s right-hand side was causing real problems for the visitors. Smith drove towards goal but could only earn a corner for his efforts. A dominant first half-hour was capped off by a goal from Shawn McCoulsky. The number nine was positive in his running and was rewarded by finding himself through on goal to slot past Steward’s helpless dive. United’s dominant first half continued, looking likely to double their lead. However, no clearcut chances came their way, and they cruised relatively comfortably into the interval
Wealdstone came out strong in the second-half and drew level, when Max Kretzschmar played a looping ball over to Alex Reid who lifted his shot over Craig Ross Within moments of Wealdstone drawing level, United retook the lead and it was that man Shawn McCoulsky again. Tristan Abrahams broke behind the visitors’ defence before unselfishly playing in McCoulsky to finish into an empty net.
Abrahams came inches away from getting his name on the scoresheet halfway through the second half, cutting in on his ever-dangerous left foot but his curling effort crashed off the post Just minutes later, the visitors were reduced to ten men as substitute Craig Eastmond was sent off for a rash challenge on Reece Smith With ten minutes to go, United wrapped up all three points through an assertive finish from Reece Smith A powerful run from Nathan Ferguson ended with a beautifully disguised pass into the path of Smith who calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, finishing with aplomb
Full-time: Magpies 3-1 Wealdstone
OPPONENT REWIND
Maidenhead United have won 47 away matches to date as members of the Vanarama National League
Our first such success on the road was at the home of this evening’s visitors, back on Tuesday 17th August 2017.
A first ever National League victory, over Hartlepool United in the televised match on the preceding Saturday at York Road, set United up for the long midweek trip to
Lancashire. The match was the battle of two sides who had been 2016/17 champions of the North and South division of the Vanarama National League respectively Much of the headlines the previous season had belonged to Danny Rowe – 47 league goals for Fylde – and Dave Tarpey – 44 league goals for Magpies and this match was the first occasion the two players would go head-to-head over 90 minutes There was only to be one winner
On the night at Mill Farm, unplayable Tarps produced a finishing masterclass with a four-goal haul as Maidenhead won 4-1 Two first-half penalty kicks were followed by two further quality goals after the interval as Maidenhead punished the hosts who played over three quarters of the game with 10 men Josh Langley was sent off, as well as being carried off, after committing the foul that gave Maidenhead their first penalty, awarded in the 21st minute. Lewis Montrose then gave away the second penalty 11 minutes later, when his handball was punished by Tarpey's clinical second spot-kick.
Montrose headed in to cut the deficit to 2-1 in first-half injury time but Tarpey made the game effectively safe when completing his hat-trick in the 58th minute. He waltzed through and rounded goalkeeper Rhys Taylor after collecting a pass over the top of the Fylde defence before rifling in a Roberto Carlos-esque 78th-minute free-kick for his fourth. Tarps was subsequently substituted to a standing ovation from all, including the fair-minded home support
Those were to be Tarpey’s last goals in a Maidenhead shirt and Rowe was to ultimately enjoy the more productive season After a remarkable 91 goals in 132 starts, Tarpey joined EFL side Barnet on transfer deadline day and was cruelly ruled out with an ACL injury after only two appearances Rowe notched 24 National League goals as The Coasters reached the play offs in their first ever National League campaign and he subsequently played in the EFL for Oldham Athletic Bradford City Tarps retired in October last year, just prior to his 36th birthday
MAIDENHEAD UNITED SUPPORTERS GROUP
Maidenhead United Supporters Group (MUSG) is the name of the new fan-led group dedicated to enhancing the experience that MUFC supporters have with their club and supporting the club in all its endeavours We wish a very happy Christmas to all MUFC supporters and wish everyone connected with the club the very best of fortune and health in 2025
MUSG have already seen a 50% increase in membership this season, which is really positive MUSG is now looking to grow representation across all teams operating under the MUFC banner.
The MUSG-coordinated supporters coach allowed us to bring a healthy following to The Silverlake Stadium, Eastleigh - one that is not the easiest to reach via public transport – before Christmas and then on New Years Day a fully booked coach boosted the travelling numbers at Woking to over 200. The noise made on an afternoon where the boys didn’t have one single iota of luck was tremendous and the home spectators were easily out sung
We need more support like that today and going forward this season Today we welcome new players, Ricky Korboa and Noah Stewart Best wishes to you both, we are fully behind you.
LEAGUE TABLE
ON THIS DAY
A late strike from visiting captain H.R. Edwards saw ten-man Wolverton London & North Western Railway record a 2-1 Southern League victory at York Road in 1896 Despite W.Poole receiving his marching orders after lashing out at Maidenhead FC keeper Fred Johnson following a tangle, the physical approach from the Buckinghamshire side unnerved the Maidenhead forwards who were criticised for their timid approach. The Maidenhead Advertiser’s correspondent wrapped up his report turning his attention to the home supporters noting: “We cannot conclude without entering our protest against the conduct of some of the spectators, particularly those who were at the Park Street end of the ground. The language of some of them was anything but parliamentary, and once the referee had to speak to them. The offenders were of the labouring class, with several boys and hobbe-deboysSuch conduct does the club an incalculable amount of harm, and we hope that this protest will have the effect of preventing a repetition of last Saturday’s behaviour.”
Three years ago today United gave their survival hopes a huge boost beating Chesterfield 3-2 at York Road preventing the visitors from going top of the National League table The Magpies broke the deadlock in the seventh minute when Josh Kelly (top, centre) curled the ball into the far corner of the net from the edge of the area. Chesterfield’s Jim Kellerman failed to capitalise on a under hit back pass in the 14th minute and they were made to pay six minutes later when Dan Sparkes drilled a free-kick into the bottom corner to double United’s lead.
Unfortunately, the lively Sparkes (who featured on the programme cover, top right) had to go off injured following a knock giving the momentum back to the Spireites who pulled a goal back in first half stoppage time, Jeff King scoring with a fabulous free-kick. The visitors were back on level terms 10 minutes into the second half when Kabongo Tshimanga turned sharply in the box to poke a shot past Dan Gyollai that went in off the post The Derbyshire side had numerous chances to take the lead as the game wore on, however with 10 minutes left on the clock as Kelly’s hard work was rewarded when he headed home Alan Massey’s flick on from a corner to give Maidenhead a surprise 3-2 win inflicting Chesterfield’s only second league defeat of the season.
By Maurice Cann
MANAGER: Alan Devonshire
HARVEY COLLINS (GK) 1
ZAC BELL 2
TYRESE DYCE 3
WILL DE HAVILLAND 4
KEVIN LOKKO 5
THIERRY LATTY-FAIRWEATHER 6
RUBEN CARVALHO 7
NATHAN FERGUSON 8
SHAWN McCOULSKY 9
KANE FERDINAND 10
JAYDEN MITCHELL-LAWSON 11
BRADLEY KEETCH 12
CRAIG ROSS (GK) 13
TOBI SHO-SILVA 14
CASEY PETTIT 16
REECE SMITH 17
CHRISTIAN JOHNSON 18
OWEN COCHRANE 19
REMY CLERIMA 20
MILES WELCH-HAYES 22
TRISTAN ABRAHAMS 23
ALAN MASSEY 24
SAM BARRATT 25
JAMIE DAVIES 27
JOSHUA McMENEMY 28
JADYN DUNDAS 29
MANNY ONARIASE 30
RICKY KORBOA 31
JOSEPH AJOSE 32
MANAGER: Kevin Phillips
Theo Richardson
Patrick Gamble
Owen Evans
Emeka Obi
Adam Long
Charlie Jolley
Ethan Mitchell
Offrande Zanzala
Nick Haughton
Jon Ustabasi
Max Bardell
Will Hugill
Christopher Stokes
Corey Whelan
Lincoln McFayden
Gavin Massey
Jack Morris
Bryce Hosannah
Jesee Hailwood
Daniel Ormerod
Ben Winterbottom
Taelor O'Kane
Ewan Dodgson
Joe Riley
NOAH STEWART 33 TODAY’S OFFICIALS
Referee: Michael Barlow Assistants: Daniel Cook & Ryan Whitaker
