Another tight clash expected

Alan Devonshire is expecting another tight, competitive clash when his Magpies side travels up to play Halifax Town at The Shay on Saturday.

The Shaymen edged a closelyfought fixture 1-0 when the sides met at York Road earlier in the season and have maintained their form to be one of a clutch of clubs on the fringes of the National League play-off places.

Maidenhead, on the other hand, come into the weekend’s clash just five points above the relegation zone and in need of a run of results to drag themselves away from the skirmishes at the bottom of the table.

“Halifax have done well,” said Devonshire. “They’ve gone full time and their results have picked up. They’re in the pack just off the play-offs. They beat us at our place so we know it’s going to be a tough game. It was 1-0 when we played them at home and I’m sure it will be tight again on Saturday.

“We’ve got a few players out, which we’ll have to deal with. But we always go out to try and win and Saturday will be no different.”

The manager also expects to have a new loan signing on board for the trip following striker Jake Cassidy’s surprise move to League 2 strugglers Stevenage.

“It came out of the blue really,” added Devonshire.

“I felt it was a good deal for the club and for the lad, who wanted to get back into league football. It was a decent deal for both clubs.

“We’ve got Danny who plays in that position as well and he’s done really well there. We’ll have a look and see (who is available). But there is someone coming in this week on loan who I like. He’s not a direct replacement for Jake.

That’s going to be a plus, but we’ll see how Saturday’s game goes and then see if we need anyone else.”