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    • Weekend preview: Magpies seek revival and Rebels look to rise out of drop zone

    Daniel Darlington

    danield@baylismedia.co.uk

    06:00AM, Friday 07 November 2025

    Maidenhead United vs Torquay United

    Maidenhead United host eighth placed Torquay United at York Road on Saturday afternoon, looking to end a run of five matches in the National League South without a victory.

    United have played reasonably well in their last two matches at Dorking Wanderers and AFC Totton, where they at least matched their higher-placed hosts, however, the fine margins have gone against them, and both were lost by a single goal.

    On Tuesday evening, they were in the ascendancy at the Snows Stadium after levelling matters through Josh Umerah’s penalty and were pushing for a second when Totton broke on them and scored the winner in the 71st minute through Christie Ward.

    However, despite going five matches without a win in the league, and slipping to 12th in the table, the Magpies remain within touching distance of the play-off places, and they return to York Road after three away games this weekend.

    Their visitors are Torquay United who have lifted themselves back up to sixth off the back on Wednesday’s 3-1 win at Farnborough. Before that though, the Gulls were beaten in consecutive league matches by Dorking Wanderers and Hornchurch.

    As part of the club’s Remembrance Day commemorations on Saturday, there will be a short ceremony before kick-off with a bugler performing a rendition of the Last Post.

    Members of the armed forces and veterans can also claim free entry to this match by presenting valid ID (Armed Forces ID, official service identification, or HM Armed Forces Veteran Card) upon entry to York Road.

    Torquay will likely be one of Maidenhead’s rivals for promotion this season if the Magpies can rediscover their form from earlier in the campaign and lift themselves back into contention. The jury is out at the moment as to whether they can do that, and boss Alan Devonshire has said it takes time for teams to get to grips with rivals in a new league. However, a win on Saturday would go a long way towards restoring confidence.

    They last played Torquay at York Road in 2023 in the National League. The game finished 3-1 to the Gulls, with Aaron Jarvis’ opener and Frank Nouble’s double enough to make Shawn McCoulsky’s strike merely a consolation. The Magpies were more successful in the return fixture where Remy Clerima’s 95th minute winner sent the travelling fans home very happy indeed after a 3-2 win.

    Torquay slipped up against two of the strongest sides in the division in Dorking Wanderers and Hornchurch, but they ensured a blip didn’t become a rut on Wednesday when an early double from Louis Dennis and Jordan Dyer’s header earned them victory at Farnborough.

    Tickets for Saturday’s match can be purchased online before 1pm on matchday for the best rate or on the gate with cash or card.

    The prices are as follows: Adults: £18 (£20); Concessions (Over 65 years old, Student, UB40): £13.50 (£15); Next Generation (17-22 years old): £9 (£10); Under 17's: £4 (£5).

    This clash will be segregated.

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    Most recent results

    Maidenhead United 1-3 Torquay United (2023)

    Torquay United 2-3 Maidenhead United (2022)

    Torquay United 1-1 Maidenhead United (2022)

    Maidenhead United 3-4 Torquay United (2021)

    Maidenhead United 4-1 Torquay United (2021)

    Torquay United 2-1 Maidenhead United (2020)

    Torquay United 0-2 Maidenhead United (2019)

    Maidenhead United 1-2 Torquay United (2018)

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    Horsham vs Slough Town

    Slough Town will look to dig themselves out of the National League South relegation places on Saturday when they visit Horsham at the Fusion Aviation Community Stadium.

    The Rebels experienced the high of an FA Cup first round win over National League side Altrincham last weekend - and will now host Macclesfield in round two at Arbour Park over the weekend of December 6-7. However, they were brought back down to earth by a 3-2 home defeat to Bath City on Tuesday evening.

    That result means it’s now four straight defeats for the Rebels in the league and they’ll have their work cut out to stop that run playing away to a Horsham side sitting seventh in the table.

    Cup glory has been a nice distraction for Scott Davies and his players, but they now must refocus on the bread and butter of their league form as they look to lift themselves out of the bottom four. They’re in that zone on goal difference; however, a four-point gap has now opened to Bath City in 18th after Tuesday’s loss, meaning they’re in the bottom group of six sides currently battling against relegation. It’s still very early days though.

    The date and time of Slough Town's FA Cup second round clash with Macclesfield Town has also now been confirmed. 

    The game which kicks off at 12.30pm on Sunday, December 7, is to be shown live on TNT Sports. 

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    Flackwell Heath vs Barton Rovers

    In the Southern League Central Division, Flackwell Heath and Marlow find themselves in contrasting form - and now only separated by a couple of points in the table.

    Flackwell had started the season reasonably well and were unbeaten prior to their final qualifying loss to Maldon &Tiptree in the FA Cup.

    However, they’ve now lost seven of their last eight matches in all competitions, falling to 14th off the back of Tuesday’s narrow 2-1 home loss to league leaders Leighton Town.

    On Saturday, they’re back at Wilks Park with fourth-placed Barton Rovers the visitors.

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    London Lions vs Marlow

    In contrast, Marlow have picked up positive results in three of their last four, defeating Biggleswade Town and Welwyn Garden City and drawing away to Enfield.

    On Saturday, they were the largely dominant side in a 3-2 win over Welwyn at Oak Tree Road, a result which lifted them up to 17th in the table. This Saturday, they play away at 16th placed London Lions looking to overcome them and manager Mark Bartley believes he now has the squad depth, quality and experience to chase down many of the sides above them in the table.

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    Hythe Town vs Burnham (FA Vase)

    Two of our local Combined Counties Premier Division North sides are in FA Vase action this Saturday, with Burnham visiting Hythe Town of the Southern Counties East Premier Division.

    Unlike the Blues, Hythe have been struggling for form in their division and sit 18th in a 19-team table.

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    Windsor vs Bearstead (FA Vase)

    In contrast, Windsor & Eton will host an in-form Bearstead side at Stag Meadow on Saturday. Rob Webb’s side are up to third in the Premier Division North off the back of Saturday’s 5-3 home win over Edgware & Kingsbury, ahead of Burnham in fourth.

    Bearstead are second in the Southern Counties East Premier Division.

    In the league, Holyport host second placed Ardley United at Summerleaze Park looking to end a run of three straight league defeats.

    Maidenhead Utd FC

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