It’s two trips to the South Coast in a week as Ryan Peters’ Magpies head down to Eastbourne this weekend. 

 

The reverse fixture was probably one to forget for United who fell to a 1-0 defeat as Freddie Carter was the beneficiary of some lapse defending. In a first half of relentless waves of United attacks, Corie Andrews went closest to breaking the deadlock soon after the interval as Josh Popoola’s pass inadvertently found him, but he couldn’t turn his effort past Ryan Sandford. Carter was gifted what would be the winner soon after the hour mark as a corner fell perfectly to his feet and he smashed into an empty net. Manny Onariase did nearly leave things up with ten to go but his stooping header narrowly passed the post. 

 

Players who have played for both United and Borough are few and tend to be in defensive areas. The first of which is current United number 2, Ryan Bartley. While with Crystal Palace’s academy side, Ryan ventured for some first team football on the South Coast. Joining for the latter half of the 2022/23 season, he made 14 appearances scoring once – a game winner against Weymouth. The versatile defender has featured 26 times at both right back and centre half since joining The Magpies in the summer, but yet to notch on the scoresheet. 

Working back to between the sticks, another who has featured for both is Craig Ross. The now Woking Interim Manager, played 49 times across a loan and permanent spell at The Sports in the summer 2012 and 2013/14. Following stints at Whitehawk, Barnet and Woking to name a few, he joined United in the summer of 2023. In his two years in Berkshire, he appeared 94 times in the middle of our goal. A popular figure, many Magpies fans will have enjoyed many roars into the Bell Street End from Rossy following York Road victories. 

 

Staying between the sticks, and another keeper to have featured for us last campaign, Sam Howes has also played for both. In January 2019, Howes joined Eastbourne on loan from Watford and made 14 appearances as cover to close out the season. He would play a similar role when joining Maidenhead last season, as an emergency loan following Craig Ross’ injury - putting in some strong performances in the six games he played. 

 

It’s been a tricky campaign for Eastbourne who have cycled through managers as they looked to pull themselves out of the relegation places. Currently sitting bottom of the league, The Sports are not a team to brush over having beaten Torquay and Maidstone United in the past month or so. Steve King will take charge of his second match since being named as Eastbourne Borough this weekend, replacing Tommy Widdrington who managed his first at York Road earlier in the season. King suffered defeat in his maiden match as they were defeated 3-1 at Connect Management Stadium. Adam May gave the side an early lead, cannoning in off of the underside of the bar from 25 yards out but three Ebbsfleet strikes soon cancelled it out. Mustapha Olagunju, Charlie Seaman and Jake Hessenthaler saw our fellow promotion rivals take three points. 

 

Peyo’s playoff push continues as United remain in the pack fighting for the seven spots with promotion potential. United come into the game off of a positive point on the road to Worthing. A promising first half saw Liam Dulson nearly give Maidenhead the lead as he looked to slot under the onrushing Taylor Seymour. But a tough evening got even harder when Will de Havilland was dismissed after 64 minutes for a second bookable offence. From then on, it was heavy pressure from the hosts but United defender valiantly and were rewarded with a solid point. 

 

Maidenhead United 2-1 Eastbourne Borough (2022) 

Maidenhead United 2–1 Eastbourne Borough (2017) 

Eastbourne Borough 1-2 Maidenhead United (2016) 

Maidenhead United 2-0 Eastbourne Borough (2016) 

Eastbourne Borough 1-2 Maidenhead United (2015) 

Eastbourne Borough 2-2 Maidenhead United (2014) 

Maidenhead United 0-0 Eastbourne Borough (2014) 

 

From Maidenhead Station board the GWR service to Paddington and upon arrival walk to the Underground station. Then take the Bakerloo Line to Oxford Circus. The board a Victoria Line train to Victoria, from which you can get a Southern train towards Eastbourne. It is suggested to get off at Hampden Park from which you can catch a bus at B&Q five minutes away. A 15-minute journey on the LINK bus will take you to Priory Lane, on the doorstep of Connect Management Stadum. 

 

A very similar journey to Tuesday night, head down the M4 towards Heathrow Airport where you should leave at Junction 4B and merge onto the M25 for 29 miles until Junction 7. Take the M23 (S) exit to Brighton and then follow the A23 and A27 to Priory Lane and Eastbourne. 

We expect this fixture WILL NOT BE segregated. Tickets are available both online and on-the-day using cash or card, with a price rise on-the-day. 

 

 

Adult: £17  

Concession: £12  

 

 

Adult: £20 

Concession: £14 

Student (ID required): £8 

Under 18 (only available at Ticket Office): £6