Notts such a good start to the new campaign for Maidenhead supporters

Each week, we will get a Maidenhead United supporter to reflect on the state of play with the Magpies. This week, Matthew Foster (right) reflects on the Magpies' heavy opening day defeat to Notts County.

Stealing the contents of a post-match tweet from a prominent Magpies supporter, the positives from last Saturday were the lovely weather, the beer, and our new (red and black striped) change kit.

Sadly, that's pretty much it!

A few of us stayed in Nottingham on Friday, as the city seemed to be an ideal night out when we enjoyed a brief tour of the pubs before and after our 1-0 defeat at Notts County last September. In the wake of that loss and others before the turn of the year, I wasn't sure we'd get to play again at the impressive Meadow Lane.

To Alan Devonshire's credit (he has plenty in the bank), he righted the ship around Christmas time. So, thankfully, we did! But I doubt we'll be back in 2023/24 unless we can improve significantly on Saturday's limp display.

The match was over as a contest as soon as the home side took a 22ndminute lead. Our squad looks weaker to me than last season, and, without reinforcements (a striker and a CM), I can't see anything other than a long and possibly fruitless battle to avoid relegation (especially with four going down this season).

Some will highlight that away games against the likes of Notts County are not ones we should be targeting for points, and that's fair. Scunthorpe United isn't in the same category, despite its more recent Football League pedigree and win vs Yeovil Town on opening day. So, their visit to York Road on Saturday feels like a big game. Another uninspiring performance would be concerning, so here's hoping that the likes of Alan Massey, Dan Sparkes, and Shawn McCoulsky are fit to return to the starting lineup –

I'm assuming all three were missing at Notts County due to injury. Can we win? Yes, of course. Up the Mags!