Maidenhead Town's tough week ends with derby against runaway leaders Langley
It has been a week to test the patience of any club, and Maidenhead Town have had their share of both pride and pain. Their first FA Vase appearance ended at Northwood, going down 3-1 after what the club described as a much-improved second half following a difficult opening period. "We bow out of our first FA Vase adventure with our heads held high," the club said, thanking Northwood for their hospitality and noting the ambition simply to reach that stage.
There was no respite in the league. A trip to Berks County in midweek brought a heavy 5-0 defeat, the club admitting they had lost to "a very quick and well-drilled side who never let up throughout the 90." That result came in the midst of a five-game run on the road, before Saturday's return to the 1878 Stadium against Langley, who sit at the top of the Combined Counties table.
Amid the results, there was cause for celebration. Striker Ryan Adams and goalkeeper Alex Collie both reached 50 appearances for the club, Adams having scored 14 goals and been named Man of the Match five times since joining in 2020, with Collie recording the same number of Man of the Match awards and ten penalty saves. Alan Adams also became the latest inductee into the club's Centurions Club, having won 16 Man of the Match awards and scored nine goals since his 2018 debut. Saturday's derby will also see ten per cent of the home gate donated to Thames Valley Air Ambulance.
Langley arrive in form, having beaten Spartans Youth 5-1 with a Kian Berry hat-trick and seen off Colliers Wood United 2-1, manager Mick Woodham giving his reaction after both wins.
