Magpies up the tempo (29.07.05)

A COMFORTABLE 4-1 home win over Dagenham & Redbridge and a 3-1 victory over Burnham at The Gore have given Maidenhead United fans good reason to look forward to the coming season.
Especially as star signing Steven Hughes is yet to find his shooting boots.
Discussing the two games, United manager Dennis Greene said: “When I spoke to John Still (Dagenham & Redbridge’s manager) after the game he was surprised at the scoreline.
“They had four first team regulars, four trialists and the best of the reserves, who are pushing for first team places. Against Burnham, who were keeping a high line, we were trying to pass the ball around.
“They were condensing the space and stopping us from playing.
“We put that right at half-time and in the second half we could have had eight. Hughes could have had four.
“As soon as we got them defending on the edge of their box we controlled the game. In the end we ran out comfortable winners.”
Understandably, Greene is enjoying his side’s success, and is hoping they can carry their winning habit into the league season.
He said: “Three wins. It’s going well, but it’s important to keep winning.”
With that in mind, Greene is continuing to add to his squad, with youth team players James Partridge and Daniel Blatchford the latest to play their way into the manager’s plans.
Trialist Fabien Forde has also done enough to earn himself a start on Saturday, as Greene begins to shape his playing squad for the coming season.
Defender Kamran Abassi has also signed on the dotted line, while former Sheffield Wednesday keeper Jody Wainwright has donned the No.1 shirt.
Unfortunately, Slough Town stars Ian Hodges and James Saulsbury have failed to take up offers from United, with Hodges staying put at Stag Meadow, while award-winning defender Saulsbury is believed to have signed for Staines.
Greene was disappointed to have lost both players and is now looking to sign another midfielder and a big centre-half to partner Lee Kersey.
He said: “If there are any up-and-coming Ronaldinhos or John Terrys out there, give me a call.”

Tomorrow (Saturday) United entertain Holyport, when Greene is expected to field a largely experimental line-up.
For Hampton & Richmond’s visit on Wednesday, however, Greene will be building towards his final starting line-up, so fans wanting a taste of things to come should pop down to York Road in midweek.

TRICKY: Bryan Smith gets the ball under control against Burnham on Tuesday. Ref:89582/29