Aldershot Town make a relatively short 25-mile trip to York Road on Tuesday evening, as both themselves and Maidenhead United look to further distance themselves from the lower-end of the National League table.
The venue has been the Magpies’ home since 1870, and is recognised by FIFA as the oldest continuously used home ground in world football.
Our hosts currently find themselves 19th in the National League, with 37 points from as many games. Just one point from the bottom four, and with unfavourable goal difference compared to those immediately below them, this fixture will almost certainly be filed under ‘must-win’ for the home faithful.
RECENT FORM
Much like the Shots, Maidenhead come into this tie off the back of a crucial away victory against play-off hopefuls. However, comparisons of recent form end there, with just four points from a possible 18.
- 15/03/25 – Gateshead 0-2 Maidenhead United
- 08/03/25 – Maidenhead United 0-1 Sutton United
- 04/03/25 – Maidenhead United 3-3 Braintree Town
- 01/03/25 – Forest Green Rovers 2-0 Maidenhead United
- 25/02/25 – Maidenhead United 1-3 York City
- 22/02/25 – Maidenhead United 0-2 Yeovil Town
It has been the Berkshire side’s home performance that has proved their Achilles heel this campaign; with 20 points from 18 league fixtures at York Road, only Ebbsfleet and Boston United have picked up less points as hosts in this year’s National League.
IN THE DUGOUT
Following Lennie Lawrence’s decision to step down as head-coach of Hartlepool, 68-year-old Alan Devonshire is the eldest of the National league’s incumbent managers, and having joined the Magpies ten years ago come May, he is also the longest-serving.
The Ealing-born gaffer boasts an extremely impressive playing career, having played 448 times for West Ham United, and eight times for England during the early-1980s. Devonshire was also part of the Hammers side that won the 1979-80 FA Cup, scoring in extra-time against Everton during the semi-final replay.
While the length of his current stint at Maidenhead is impressive in itself, having also taken the reigns between 1996 and 2003, this campaign marks 18 non-consecutive years with the Magpies, in which time he had seen two promotions and zero relegations.
LAST TIME OUT
The Shots came out as narrow victors in a breathless seven-goal encounter in late August. Both teams went blow-for-blow in the opening hour, with James Henry’s emphatic half-volley and Olly Scott’s first in front of the East Bank both quickly cancelled out by Maidenhead retorts.
The home side went on to take control of the game, as Kai Corbett, already with an assist to his name, took advantage of a deflection in the Magpies’ box to score his first in Aldershot colours, before Hady Ghandour’s turning effort finally doubled the advantage. Despite Maidenhead scoring again late on, the three points remained in Hampshire, the score finishing 4-3 on the day.
FORMER SHOTS
Will de Havilland – The defender joined Aldershot on a short-term loan from Wycombe Wanderers at the beginning of the 2017/18 season, starting in each of three successive victories that saw the Shots take an early rise to the top of the National League table, including a 6-0 win against Guiseley.
Currently in his fourth season with the Magpies, De Havilland has a respectable record against his former side, unbeaten in four and scoring during a 2-1 away win at the EBB in 2022.
Kevin Lokko – Joining in 2021 as vice-captain, the Ghanian-Ukrainian defender only managed to make eight appearances for the club before leaving for Farnborough in the National League South the following season.
Lokko scored and assisted during the reverse fixture, though an injury sustained in February dictates that he is unlikely to feature in Tuesday’s tie.
TICKET INFO
Tickets are on sale now and can be bought by clicking HERE
Prices are as follows:
- ADULT – £20
- CONCESSION (Over 65/UB40/Student/Disabled) – £15
- NEXT GENERATION (17-22) – £10
- UNDER 17 – £5
Tickets are listed as “Home Supporters” and “Away Supporters” so please ensure you have selected the relevant category titled “Away Supporter”.
U16 children and young people attending first team games at York Road must be accompanied by an adult (18 and above). To assist with the implementation of this policy, unaccompanied supporters aged 16 to 18 may be asked to for ID.
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT
Live updates will be available from our social media platforms X (@OfficialShots), Instagram (@aldershottownfcofficial), and Facebook. After the game, highlights will be available on our YouTube channel.
The game can be streamed by overseas viewers via DAZN’s National League TV coverage. Click HERE to purchase a match pass.
There will be live commentary of the game provided by BBC Radio Surrey – listen online HERE
