As we getter deeper into the crunch time at the close of the season both points and Berkshire bragging rights are on the line as we head to Slough. 

 

The Boxing Day fixture at York Road was one to forget, after what was such a promising start. Josh Umerah gave us that positive feeling ten minutes in as he scrambled home inside the six-yard box. Luke Holness levelled with an effort from range after 35 minutes, before Basil Tuma was given his marching orders on the verge of the interval for a high challenge on Chanse Headman. The second half saw decent United pressure but twice caught out as Kiki Oshilaja struck in a rebound and Jared Myers scored in added time at the end of the 90. 

 

Our played for both section has more options than most weeks, for that reason we’ll keep it recent. Starting with Jaiden Celestine-Charles, who has featured for both sides this season, on loan from Millwall. Jaiden joined United at the start of this calendar year and would only make two appearances in black and white. He then headed to the other side of Berkshire on the registration deadline last week, where he went straight into the starting XI and played 83 minutes against Ebbsfleet United. 

 

Staying in recent years, another that now represents The Rebels is Tyrese Dyce. The 24-year-old defender started his career at West Brom before finding senior minutes with Slough in 2023, where he’d play 28 times and score four. After a season there he moved to The Magpies and made 11 appearances last campaign. He has since return to the other side of Berkshire, an become a mainstay once again in their defence. Bettering his scoring and appearance tally, playing 32 games and scoring three goals already this campaign. 

Another still playing, working locally, and to have played for both is Mark Nisbet. Currently playing for Beaconsfield Town and working as Lead Community Coach for Maidenhead United in the Community, Nisbet spent sixteen years of his playing career across both clubs. He started at United in 2006, beginning a ten-year association amassing over 300 appearances. Before heading to Slough where he’d spend another six years, scoring 8 in 187 games, winning promotion to the National League South and the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup. 

 

It has been a tricky couple of weeks for Slough, but form can go out the window in these matches. It’s been three defeats on the bounce for The Rebels facing playoff pushing Chelmsford and Ebbsfleet and in-form Farnborough. Young midfielder Jaiden Drakes-Thomas will be one to look out for as Slough look to fill the void left by Wiktor Makowski through other goal scoring sources. Drakes-Thomas has six goals and five assists this season, most recently contributing an equaliser from range against Hampton & Richmond. 

 

United come into the game off of midweek success over Bath City, an important bounce back from weekend frustration. Three goals and another clean sheet was exactly the response Ryan Peters would’ve wanted. Josh Popoola opened the scoring on his return to the XI, before Jayden Mitchell-Lawson was upended in the area and Josh Umerah smashed the spot kick into the top corner. The second half saw United maintain control and make use of the squad to distribute minutes. One beneficiary was Alfie Pendlebury who came on with about half an hour to go and made an instant impact, scoring his first United goal. He glanced in Owen Cochrane’s sumptuous delivery, one of many on the night, and a terrific moment ensued. 

 

 

Segregation will be in place for this fixture. Maidenhead United supporters using turnstile block 2. Please arrive early to help reduce queueing times. 

 

From Maidenhead Station board the train to Slough. 

 

Once out of the station, head up Stoke Road for about 15 minutes and the stadium will be on your right. 

 

Head to the M4 and travel towards London for a single junction (Junction 6). Once off the motorway, take the first exit at the roundabout before taking a right at the traffic lights onto Bath Road. Continue onto Wellington Street and then right onto Stoke Road. Travelling up Stoke Road you will have the stadium on your right or aprking at St Joseph's School a turn prior. 

We expect this fixture WILL BE segregated. Tickets are available both online and on-the-day using cash or card, with a price rise on-the-day. 

 

 

Adult (18-64): £15 

Concession (65+): £10 

13-17/student: £3 

Under 13: £1 

 

 

Adult (18-64): £17 

Concession (65+): £12 

13-17/student: £5 

Under 13: £1