After Rochdale in September and ahead of Oldham in February, this was part two of MUFC's 'Greater Manchester in midweek' trilogy; my first away game since the win at Braintree in November and, assuming Forest Green Rovers progress at the expense of Oxford City in the Trophy, and if we decide to give Newcastle-for-Gateshead a miss (more on that later), possibly my last until old favourite Halifax in April! (As previously discussed, the NL fixture computer royally shafted us for 2024/25.)
Leaving Maidenhead after collecting Ally (for Alty) at approximately 14:45, the journey north was a relatively painless one (topics of conversation included QPR's victory in the Copa de Ibiza in 2005), and we were parked close to the J. Davidson Stadium almost exactly three hours later; Sandeep and his crew, who had flown up to Manchester from Heathrow in the morning, happened to be walking past and they joined us for pre-match pints (the MPA was decent) in the King George pub, which, along with our dinner – Macleod (M) was especially complimentary of the pie, chips and curry sauce he got from the renowned chippy opposite the ground – was by some distance the highlight of the evening
There wasn't much – generally speaking – between the two sides in the first half, IMO, as crazy as that sounds, so the fact we went in 4-0 down at the break is an indictment; we eked out three or four presentable chances but couldn't convert any (or even get any on target), whilst they clinically took those we'd gift-wrapped with our now customary inept defending #recipefordisaster (Nb. I'll have to take another look, but it seemed to me – albeit watching from the other end – that Craig Ross got his hands on the ball, so the penalty decision against him was harsh, but it was already 2-0 by then, and we weren't coming back from that hole.)
Remy Clerima – one of my all-time favourite Magpies; who ran the show in last season's corresponding fixture – has been a vital player for us over the years and is someone we've sorely missed due to injury (I've lamented on social media that I've seen more photos of him modelling clothes in Primark and the like during 2024/25 than I have appearances of him on the pitch), so I was pleased he made his first league start of the campaign (and his 248th in total, joint 21st all-time with Trevor Roffey); however, he was run ragged at right-back in the first half, and unless 90 minutes under his belt turns out to be a silver lining (i.e. his knee doesn't flare up again and he's able to start games from hereon in), I'm left to ruminate the distinct possibility that, along with Alan Massey (title-winning skipper and top five all-time appearance-maker, who can't even make the bench at the moment) and Alan Devonshire (MUFC's finest manager twice over, who now seems to be going through the motions and whom it is becoming increasingly difficult to defend), a great Maidenhead United career appears to be nearing its conclusion in regrettable fashion
It has been said, by those who might know, that this (bloated) squad is our most expensively assembled, but I wonder how many National League-quality players we've got? A handful at the very most, perhaps being generous – the club's recent judgment regarding recruitment *and* retention has, IMO, been substandard ...
Noah Stewart – our recent signing from *checks notes* Ballymena United – will hopefully prove to be an excellent buy (Josh Kelly Mk II), but Transfermarkt lists him as 1,89m tall (6'3" or thereabouts), so I was expecting an Emile Acquah-type (big, strong, quick, able to hold the ball up), yet when he came on for the last ten minutes or so last night, he looked roughly the same height as me but about 30 lb. lighter, and a defender brushed him off the ball with consummate ease on one notable occasion; caveats apply (he didn't have much time to shine; the match situation was far from favourable) and it's not really his fault, but, sadly, it was an underwhelming first impression
Chat on the terrace during second-half match action – a snoozefest that closely resembled a pre-season friendly, with Altrincham coming close to adding a fifth via a long ball at the very end – touched upon Aveley vs Chesham United last Saturday in the Conference South; the Dunns went, and they said the standout players were the home side's Tyrese Owen (formerly of Slough) and, for the visitors, ex-Magpie Samson Esan! (Make of that what you will.)
Howay the lads?! We had reached a tentative agreement, pre-match in the pub, that we'd bite the bullet and book flights and accommodation (both rather pricey) regarding Newcastle-for-Gateshead in March, but in the cold light of day ...
At least the return car journey wasn't bad, despite the M6 down to one lane by the Bescot Stadium and two deer risking their lives by running out in front of the MurdoMobile on a foggy A308 close to Bisham roundabout; I got to bed around 01:15 and drifted off to sleep thinking that, the way things are going, and for good or for bad, we probably won't have to concern ourselves with such lengthy midweek treks next season (so, perhaps we *should* book Newcastle-for-Gatehead?!)
Most defeats, most goals conceded, and the worst goal difference (all aside from cut-adrift-at-the-bottom Ebbsfleet) paint a dismal picture; despite the fact we're only in January, it already feels like Saturday's televised home fixture with Fylde – who have two games in hand over us, Wealdstone have three – is a must-win ...
I've vowed to never use *that* Private Frazer GIF again, but if we don't win at home to Fylde on Saturday - live on TV, you lucky people! - then it'll be back. pic.twitter.com/XC1watHnzH
— ɢᴏ ᴍᴀᴅ ᴏʀ sᴛᴏᴘ ᴄᴀʀɪɴɢ (@gomadstopcaring) January 14, 2025
