As the majority of the National League system turn their attentions to the Emirates FA Cup this weekend, Slough Town and Hungerford Town are back in sixth tier action in the Vanarama National League South.
Slough Town v Maidstone United
Slough breathed a sigh of relief last weekend as their three-game winless run in all competitions hit the rocks as they beat Bath City 2-1 at Arbour Park.
In an encounter which offered late drama – with the opening goal coming on 84 minutes – the Rebels came away with all three points thanks to a stoppage-time Max Worsfold free-kick.
Slough will now be hoping to lift themselves into the play-off places this Saturday but standing in their way is third-placed Maidstone United.
The Stones enjoyed a more comfortable afternoon last time out, thrashing Concord Rangers 6-0 on home turf.
Spanish wide-man Juan Luque opened the scoring early on before Justin Nwogu bagged a brace either side of a 47th minute George Porter goal. Scott Rendell and Charlie Seaman joined their team-mates on the scoresheet in the final 15 minutes as Maidstone returned to winning ways at the Gallagher Stadium.
That said, Hakan Hayrettin’s side will go into tomorrow’s match in high spirits, that’s for sure. However, the Stones are yet to enjoy similar success on their travels as they still search for their first away win of the season.
After sharing the points with Havant & Waterlooville in their first outing of the 2020-21 campaign, they then found themselves on the receiving end of a 1-0 result at Chelmsford United.
Slough are yet to taste defeat on home turf this term but will undoubtedly be weary of Maidstone’s attacking dominance which sees them top the leading scorer charts.
Memories have to be cast back to August 2019 to recall the Rebels’ last meeting with the Stones. Maidstone’s Matt McClure cancelled out Matt Lench’s 20th minute opener as the clash at the Gallagher Stadium ended 1-1.
Braintree Town v Hungerford Town
It’s safe to say, the mood in the Hungerford camp couldn’t be better at the moment.
The Crusaders go into this weekend’s trip at Braintree Town off the back of a 2-0 win over Dorking Wanderers last Saturday, clinching their fourth victory of the season. Ryan Seager maintained his prolific goal scoring form, netting a brace as he became the league’s top scorer with five goals to his name.
The result moved Hungerford up to second and a win at Cressing Road could see them finish this weekend top of the pile.
Braintree, who finished one place above Hungerford last season, are enduring another below-par campaign so far as they are yet to clinch their first point.
The National League South bottom side go into tomorrow’s clash off the back of their fourth consecutive defeat, this time at the hands of Hemel Hempstead in a seven-goal thriller.
Braintree found themselves 4-2 down at half-time, but when Kyran Clements netted on 77 minutes for the hosts, it looked like a dramatic ending was on the cards. However, Hemel managed to hold on and take all three points back to Hertfordshire.
Hungerford took six points off tomorrow’s opposition last season with the most recent meeting coming back in February as they won 2-0 at Bulpit Lane. Joe Tomlinson rustled the back of the net with only six minutes on the clock before Matt Jones latched onto a Zidan Akers cross to seal maximum points in the second half.
Details of how you can live stream both matches, plus Spurs Women vs Reading FC Women on Saturday are here.
