Maidenhead United vs. Latics

8 October 2022

Latics return to National League action this weekend with another trip south to take on Maidenhead United.

Last time out, David Unsworth’s team had to settle for a share of the points against Scunthorpe with David Okagbue scoring his first senior goal and Ben Tolitt converting from the spot to level the scores later on in proceedings.

Oldham are still looking for their first win of the Unsworth era.

The opposition

Maidenhead United have been playing their football at this level since the won promotion by winning the National League South in the 2016/17 season after amassing an impressive 98 points.

They escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth in the 2019/20 season. When the Covid19 pandemic brought a halt to the season, the final table was decided on points per game. Both Maidenhead and Ebbsfleet finished on 1.08 points per game but the latter were relegated due to having a worse goal difference.

Their highest finish at this level came in their maiden National League season where they finished a respectable 12th place.

Form Guide

The Magpies come into this game on a nice run of form that has seen them win three of their last four games.

The loss in that sequence came in a televised fixture against Gateshead with the Tynesiders running out 1-0 victors’ courtesy of a goal from Dan Ward.

Their last fixture against Torquay saw Maidenhead claim victory in the most dramatic fashion with Remy Clerima scoring a 95th-minute winner in the 3-2 win.

Going into the game, Maidenhead are one place and four points better off than Latics.

Watch out for

Summer signing Koby Arthur is the heart of the Maidenhead midfield.

The 26-year-old joined from Dover Athletic where he scored five times in 32 league games but was unable to help them survive the drop.

The Ghana born midfielder came through the ranks at Birmingham City and can boast 12 Championship appearances for the Blues.

Elsewhere, he has a host of League Two and National League experience which highlights the shred business of the Magpies to bring him in.

He scored his first goal for the Magpies in their impressive 2-1 victory over high flying Chesterfield and he will no doubt be keen to add to his tally when Latics visit York Road.

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In the dugout

Alan Devonshire is the man in the dugout for the hosts.

The 66-year-old has been manager of Maidenhead since May 2015 and was the man who led to the club to promotion to the fifth tier.

This is his second spell as Magpies manager.

Elsewhere he has also managed Braintree Town, Hampton and Richmond Borough, Brentford Women and Osterley.

As a player, Devonshire had a distinguished career, playing over 350 times for West Ham United as well as winning eight caps for England.

Stadium

An interesting fact about Maidenhead’s York Road home is that it is the oldest continuously used ground in senior football.

It was initially home to Maidenhead Cricket Club and the football club played their first match at this ground in February 1871.

Odds

Sky Bet have Maidenhead as 5/4 favourites for this clash.

Latics are 19/10 whilst the draw is 11/5.

Match officials

The referee is Lloyd Wood, and he’ll be assisted by Daniel Robinson and Ashley Clake, with Robert Ablitt occupying the role of fourth official.

Match coverage and information

Live audio commentary is available on Latics Player, guiding you through the match.

For more information, visit the Latics Player page by clicking here.

As detailed in our media update at the start of the season, the club has had to make several adjustments to how we cover games as a result of relegation to the National League.

Whereas in the EFL it is a necessary for all clubs to provide ISDN facilities, there is no such requirement in the National League. As a result, commentary from away games such as this will have to be provided by different means.

No ISDN facilities are available for club media at today's game, and whilst the media team has worked on alternative ways of providing commentary during the summer, broadcasting from new grounds sometimes brings its own challenges. Commentary will be available but we would like to thank supporters for bearing with us with any difficulties that may arise while we continue to adjust to life in the new division.

Alternatively, supporters can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC

As always, we will endeavour to ensure confirmation of the line-up is published as soon as possible on social media.

However, supporters should note that team sheets in the National League are not exchanged until an hour before kick-off. This is 15 minutes later than in the EFL and as a result, the line-up is likely to be published slightly later than in previous seasons.

Preview: Dan Wright

Photography: James Fearn / PPA / Maidenhead United

Match Reports

Maidenhead United 1-1 Latics

8 October 2022

Ben Tollitt struck during the first half as Latics played out a draw at Maidenhead United.

David Unsworth’s side had to withstand a significant physical test at York Road and looked as though they would overcome the challenge until Charlee Adams equalised with a late penalty.

Tollitt netted for the fourth time this season with half-time approaching and it came at a time when Latics were posing an increased threat.

The visitors could have added to their lead after the re-start as they displayed a good level of control but Adams intervened 16 minutes from time.

Unsworth again opted to start with a system consisting of three central defenders, Lois Maynard featuring in the middle of the back-line on his league debut after a lengthy lay-off with injury.

Maynard, who signed in the summer from Stockport, was a beacon of strength for Latics in the face of the aerial challenge Latics faced, flanked by James Carragher and David Okagbue.

The opening goal came just after the half-hour and was the result of tenacious work from Fondop. Having chased down Will De Havilland, the Latics striker dispossessed the defender before feeding the ball across goal, allowing Tollitt, arriving at the far post, to convert from close range.

It was a goal that Unsworth’s side deserved, as they began to carry a greater attacking presence as the half went on.

Tollitt had earlier laid the ball back to Fondop but his shot from 25 yards was always rising, while a cross from John Rooney was claimed goalkeeper Dan Gyollai after combing well with Mitch Roberts before Charlie Cooper also had a chance.

In the main, Latics dealt with was asked of them, Carragher cutting out a cross from Cole Kpekawa before Magnus Norman held the follow-up from Ryan Upward, while Adams also went close with a free-kick.

Once ahead, Latics could have extended their lead, Rooney going close after spotting Gyollai off his line early in the second half before the Maidenhead goalkeeper produced a superb reflex save at point-blank range to deny Fondop, who did well to peel away at the far post and connect with a free-kick from Tollitt.

Luke Burgess, on as a half-time substitute, was also denied by Gyollai, before he and Tollitt were foiled after a counter-attack led by Fondop.

Yet the with their physical presence, the home side posed an increased threat, Norman showing his reflexes to produce a stunning save Emile Acquah.

Maidenhead equalised when Adams converted from the spot-kick after Carragher was judged to have handled.

Gyollai held a header from Maynard as Latics tried to find a second but in the end the visitors were left to settle for a point.

Oldham Athletic: Norman, Clarke, Maynard, Sheron, Roberts, Cooper (Burgess 46), Rooney (Luamba 75), Tollitt, Fondop, Okagbue, Carragher,

Subs not used: Leitwiler, Wellens, Couto.

Attendance: 1,640

Standings