Conference South? Completed it, mate! This was the fifth and final new NLS ground for me to tick off this season – I'd missed both of the Magpies' previous visits to Hardenhuish Park: a 2-1 defeat in February 2007 (one of only four losses, to go with two draws and 17 wins, in the final 23 games of a memorable Southern League campaign that culminated in play-off final success vs Team Bath at Twerton Park), and a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup in October 2018 (a solitary goal from Adrian 'Yaya' Clifton decided the replay, setting up a televised home tie with Portsmouth in the 1st Round Proper ... which we lost 4-0)
Having been at the O2 Arena on Tuesday night as my youngest participated, alongside 8,000+ other primary school kids, in Young Voices (the largest children's choir in the world), Saturday's walk to Maidenhead station was my chance to hear all the details from Macleod (M) about MUFC's narrow but fully deserved home win vs Salisbury, which, coupled with other results, saw us enter the play-off positions for the first time under Ryan Peters; Wrexham in the Championship play-off positions, pre-Fancy Dresslemania fancy dress days, and mental capacity assessments were then topics of conversation on the packed train journey – we had to stand – from Reading ("It's really busy," said Macleod [M], before realising we were departing several hours later than usual)
Into Chippenham a few minutes behind schedule, it was sunny but cold as we walked past a giant puddle, Rivo Lounge, and countless charity shops to meet Steve H. – sitting with TWS and Connor – in the Flying Monk; two decent and reasonably-priced rounds in here with discussion focused on the KSG's upcoming trip to Düsseldorf
Photos of the travelling horde outside the Wetherspoons, then we piled into the Prince of Wales micro pub to digest concerning team news over expensive pints – Jordon Ragguette and Matt Robinson only on the bench, no MWH, and Remy slated to start before dropping out altogether ...
Parsons, Harry – ex-Magpie – put the Bluebirds ahead from the spot and, after a lamentable first-half performance, the away side could have no complaints about the score: "We don't even deserve nil," was one withering assessment
Even though we were better after the break (we couldn't have been much worse!), with two justifiable shouts for penalties of our own as Freddie Grant (another ex-Magpie) handled twice, it was ultimately another disappointing and bewildering display in what has been a hitherto disappointing and bewildering season – summed up by us throwing on Robinson after 77 minutes when our best player should've started, or come on at half-time, or been left out entirely if he's as injured as his extensively-taped knees (note the plural) might suggest
No sense of urgency from the stewards when a home fan went down with a seizure at full-time; thankfully, he eventually received the medical assistance required, and was reportedly able to walk out under his own steam – by which time we were sat in the beer garden of the Old Road Tavern ... JJ and I were literally on the hot seat!
Having decided to watch the Leeds game on TV, we walked beneath an Isambard Kingdom Brunel–designed viaduct to join TWS and Connor in the Black Horse; Antoine Semenyo scored seconds after we entered the pub! *rolls eyes*
Another round in the Old Road Tavern, the train home, and then the Portland; on karaoke, Macleod (M) sang All Together Now for Scouse Mick (as per), and I slaughtered Laughter in the Rain as a well-intentioned tribute to the late, great Neil Sedaka – although One Way Ticket (To the Blues) might've been more fitting
My mood wasn't helped the following morning after reading about Wealdstone's shootout success at Kidderminster in the FA Trophy; I'm pleased for them, of course, but it was yet another stinging reminder – as if one were needed – of Maidenhead United's chronic underachievement
Meanwhile, Maidenhead United – never ones to trouble the latter stages of a cup competition – were shitting the bed at bottom-of-the-table Chippenham Town. https://t.co/DEiBwELh9k
— ɢᴏ ᴍᴀᴅ ᴏʀ sᴛᴏᴘ ᴄᴀʀɪɴɢ (@gomadstopcaring) March 1, 2026
