Since the arrival of interim co-head coaches Max Kretzschmar and Craig Saunders, the Beavers have played four league games and not one of them has been settled by more than a goal. A 4-3 heartbreaker against Truro City, a gutsy 2-2 draw at Billericay Town, and a 1-0 defeat at Braintree Town. 

On Tuesday night this continued with a gutting 3-2 loss at Dorking Wanderers, where two late goals in four minutes flipped the game on its head. The Beavers largely outplayed the promotion-chasing side, but couldn’t hold on at the end, resulting in a heartbreaking finale.

Lots of near misses, not enough points. Surely something has to fall our way soon?

Next up, we face Maidenhead United, who arrive nineteenth in the table with fifteen points from fifteen games.

They are currently on a run of five games without a win, losing three of them; however, they have drawn their last two, with a goalless draw at home to Dagenham & Redbridge last time out, despite the fact the East Londoners were down to ten men for most of the game.

It's a far cry from last season, when they finished in the play-off places before losing out to Dorking. As for last season's games against them, Maidenhead achieved a league double over us, so we’ll be hoping for a change of fortunes this time round.

Josh Umerah bagged seventeen league goals for them then, as one of the league's top scorers, so keep an eye on him! Another one to keep an eye on is former Beaver, Daniel Nkrumah, who had a memorable loan spell at the club last season, where he bagged four goals in five games – all of them coming at the Bev.

Our skipper Will De Havilland also spent five years at Maidenhead prior to joining us in the summer; this will be the first time he plays against his former club.

This game can also be affectionately known as the Alan Devonshire Derby. Our legendary former manager spent eight highly successful years at the Bev, guiding us up the leagues. He is equally revered at Maidenhead, where he spent a remarkable seventeen years in total across two spells.

We need points, the Bev faithful need a lift, and a side stuck in the bottom half arrives with their own problems. If the lads can turn those narrow margins in their favour, this could be the afternoon it all clicks!

Get down there, make some noise, and let's give them something to cheer about.

Tickets can be found HERE

UTB

Written by Joel Moore