Midfielder Smith jumps at chance to sign extension
Midfielder Reece Smith admits he jumped at the opportunity to sign a contract extension with the Magpies that'll keep him at York Road until the end of the 2022-23 season.
Smith, who is becoming an increasingly influential member of Alan Devonshire's first team squad, said after Saturday's 7-4 FA Cup defeat to FC Halifax Town he was ‘really happy’ to extend his stay with the club.
Many believe Smith has the potential to play at a higher level in time, but he'll get the chance to further hone his craft under the tutelage of Devonshire and the Magpies' coaching team.
Like Josh Kelly, Smith is a graduate of the Magpies academy system and was brought through the ranks at the club whilst studying at BCA College under first team coach Aaron O'Brien.
“I'm really happy,” he told Maidenhead's media officer Grace Scott.
“It's such an amazing environment right now with Dev and the whole club.
“I'm so happy to be here and to be given the opportunity to stay a little bit longer.
“I jumped at the opportunity, and I'll take every game as it comes really.
“I'll try to score a few goals this year and help the team out that way. I'll just work hard, and we'll see what happens.”
Reflecting on the side's disappointing FA Cup exit at Halifax, Smith added: “It was a tough day. The conditions were horrible. Every time we got back into the game, we let ourselves down by conceding again.
“We’ve just got to go again on Monday and try and get the buzz back at training.
“That’s it. It’s gone now, we can’t do anything about it. Just got to move on and work hard and go again Saturday.”
United were attempting to reach the second round of the competition for the first time since 1886 but it wasn't to be. In their squad for the first time was Wycombe Wanderer's Andre Burley, who's signed on-loan until the end of the season. Burley came on as a half-time substitute at The Shay, and was immediately cautioned, but his efforts to impress couldn't alter the outcome of the tie and United limped out of the competition having conceded seven goals.
Burley made his first appearance in the Chairboys squad back in December 2019 and has also received an international cap for St Kitts and Nevis in March of the same season.
He began his career at Reading and spent time on loan with Waterford United in Ireland. He was brought through to Wycombe's B team in September 2020 and has also gained first team experience playing on loan for Hungerford Town in National League South.