Maidenhead United keen to end winless run and progress past Leamington in FA Trophy

Maidenhead United kick off their FA Trophy campaign in the midlands at Leamington FC on Saturday, hoping to take a baby step towards the final of the competition at Wembley in the spring.

Having bowed out of the FA Cup in somewhat ignominious fashion at home to Faversham, the Magpies will be hopeful of a much longer run in this competition and the kind of result and performance at Leamington that could kick-start a revival in their league form.

United have suffered four defeats on the spin in the National League South and have now gone six matches without a win in the division. Those results have seen the Magpies fall from the play-offs to 14th in the table - though they remain only seven points outside the top seven.

Speaking after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Torquay United in the league, assistant boss Ryan Peters admitted the team ‘were in a bit of a bad space’ as they seek to rediscover the form that led them to six straight victories in the league earlier in the season.

A win - and solid performance - in the FA Trophy would boost morale and confidence for a team that hasn’t tasted success since Worthing were beaten rather unconvincingly 1-0 on October 4.

Saturday’s match up with Leamington is the first meeting between the two sides in history - and a new ground for Magpies fans to travel to.

In last season’s competition, the Brakes exited the competition at the third-round stage, losing 2-0 to National league side Rochdale having beaten King’s Lynn Town enroute.

Maidenhead entered the competition at the third-round stage last season and immediately exited it following a 2-1 defeat to derby rivals Slough Town at Arbour Park. Joseph Ajose scored one of his two goals for the Magpies that day but it’s a result most Maidenhead fans would like removed from their memory banks and replaced with something all-together more positive.

Their side will get the chance to do that at the ‘Your Coop Community Stadium’ on Saturday.

Leamington have had a difficult season so far in the National League North. They currently sit bottom of the table with only three wins from 16 matches so far.

They’ve lost their last two matches heading into Saturday’s clash at King’s Lynn Town (2-0) and home to Marine (1-0) and are without a win in the league since a spate of three victories in August and September.

Their standout player this season has been the ex-Barnsley goalkeeper Rogan Ravenhill who has been in brilliant form this season, despite only keeping one clean sheet in the league.

The fixture will not be segregated. Tickets are available both online and on the gate. Online prices are as follows: Adults: £16.50; Concession/Disabled: £12.50; Student (with valid ID): £9.50; Under 18: £6.50; Child (under 12) - with adult ticket: FREE

Click here to purchase tickets.

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Maidenhead United have provided public transport options and directions to the ground as well as parking options and costs for supporters making the trip to Warwickshire.

The hometown of Leamington FC, Royal Leamington Spa, is one of only four towns in England to be honoured with a “royal” prefix. The others being Royal Tunbridge Wells, Royal Wootton Bassett and, the slightly different, The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield.

Titles much alike Windsor and Maidenhead holding the royal borough status and Berkshire being the only royal county in England. Royal Leamington Spa received its title in 1838, from Queen Victoria, in recognition of its status as a fashionable spa town and the patronage it received from the royal family.

Queen Victoria herself made a short visit there in 1830, which she fondly recalled, but her influence stayed as a statue of her stood outside the town hall and the eventual opening of Victoria Park.

Directions

Car

Take M40 northbound and exit at Junction 13. Turn right onto A452 towards Leamington. At the 1st roundabout take 3rd exit A452 (Europa Way) towards Leamington. At the next roundabout take 4th exit (Harbury Lane) signposted Harbury and Bishops Tachbrook. At the next roundabout take 3rd exit continuing Harbury Lane. At the traffic lights continue straight ahead into Harbury Lane, the stadium is 1.5 miles on left.

Parking

Car parking costs £3 when bought before 11:59pm on Friday and £5 when bought on Saturday online or both in cash or card on the day. Parking is available for roughly 370 cars, and done via bookings / a first come, first served basis. So, our hosts ask all supporters to either car-share or make use of their free shuttle bus service. Blue badge holders can receive free parking at the stadium but need to book online in advance.

Train

Trains run out of Reading directly to Leamington Spa; these services take about an hour and run approximately hourly.

There are no footpaths for the final 2 miles, so walking is NOT advisable.

Leamington FC also kindly offer a FREE shuttle bus service from Leamington Spa railway station to the park & ride location at Windmill Inn and then on to the ground. These are scheduled to leave Leamington Spa Railway Station at 13:15, 13:45 and 2:15.

Post-match, the service will leave for the station at 5pm, with further journeys back scheduled at 5:30pm and 6pm.

Please check your own directions before travelling.