Emotions running high for cup clash (06.02.03)

THERE will be no lack of emotion when Slough Town make the short trip to York Road for a highly charged Berks & Bucks Cup quarter-final clash with defending champions Maidenhead United on Tuesday night.
The Maidenhead Advertiser-sponsored game went to the wire last season, when the two teams met at the semi-final stage, which was followed by a last-gasp 4-3 win for the Magpies in a pres-seaosn friendly in August.
And Tuesday night’s encounter promises to be no less exciting.
For United, the Berks & Bucks Cup represents a final chance to secure some silverware this season, while the Rebels are pushing for promotion into the Premier.
Both teams are also on top of their form at the moment, with Slough losing just twice in their last 10 outings, while United have only lost once in their last seven.
Rebels manager Steve Browne said: “When we come to Maidenhead on Tuesday we’ll be aiming to win. Previous games have been very close encounters and I’m hoping this time we can go one better.”
However, Magpies manager Alan Devonshire was typically downbeat about the match, saying: “It’ll be their cup final, but we’re just looking to Saturday’s game at the moment. The league is our main priority.”

Tomorrow (Saturday) United travel to Hitchin Town.
The Hertfordshire side last won a league match way back in early December, when they recorded a thumping 7-1 victory over Enfield.
They also have a woeful home record, where they have won just three of their 13 games to date. However, Devonshire was predictably cautious, saying: “They have two good forwards, so it’s another hard game. We don’t want to get dragged into what’s happening at the bottom of the table.”
And, despite sitting comfortably in 12th spot, with three games in hand over many of their midtable rivals, Devonshire does have some genuine cause for concern.
The teams at the top of the relegation zone currently have 27 points, just nine shy of United.
And, despite the Magpies having a habit for producing their best football in the second-half of the season, Devonshire is becoming increasingly concerned about his players’ fitness, after a string of postponed matches.
He said: “I’m a bit worried about our fitness levels. “We’ve hardly played since Christmas. There was a time when we had played 19 games, which was the most in the league.
“Now we’ve played 26 games and most teams have played 29 or 30. We’re going to be playing near enough every Tuesday from now on. It is a worry.”
There was also some bad news regarding influential midfielder Matt Glynn, after he limped out of a Charlton Reserves match – where he is on trial – with a groin strain, which is expected to keep him out of action for at least two weeks.
Orlando Jeffrey will also miss Saturday’s game through suspension, having collected five yellow cards.