Players fight for cup final places (Story posted 27.03.02)

MAIDENHEAD United’s victory over Croydon on Saturday removed any mathematical threat of relegation and effectively ended their league campaign.
However, having guaranteed their survival, there seems to be little left to play for. The only remaining game of any significance is the Berks & Bucks Cup final.
But there is another more pressing reason for Devonshire’s current crop of players to carry on performing.
This week the York Road supremo said four or five players would be coming to York Road over the summer, with a similar number going through the turnstiles in the opposite direction
He said: “I want to bring in four or five new players, or maybe more.
“It’s going to be a very tough league next year with four teams going down.
“I think clubs have been saving their money up this year for new players.
“We don’t have much money to spend so we have to build up the squad slowly. That’s just the way we have to do things here.”
Cue the speculation, as fans and players alike try to second-guess the notoriously tight-lipped Devonshire.
Those who took to the field at Croydon may not have too much to fear, as they picked up their boots to deliver a solid second-half display of combative football.
Devonshire seemed delighted with Saturday’s performance, especially as it brought United’s woeful run of eight consecutive away defeats to a satisfactory end.
However, losing streaks like that will not be tolerated next year, explaining Devonshire’s desire to sign some new talent.
He said: “If we had been in a relegation battle I would have been worried, but we’re not.
“I thought we did a very professional job at Croydon. We were in total control in the second half and I was very pleased with the way we played.
“The boys were playing for cup final places, so there was no problem with motivation.
“It would nice to think we could finish this season in midtable, but I’m really looking towards next season now – and have been for the last four weeks.”
So what lies ahead for midtable United? Devonshire said: “Last year we were always around the relegation area, but this year we haven’t had that at all. We consolidated this year, and hopefully we can go on from there.”
So it seems his ambitions for next year are simply to build on the current season and avoid relegation.
A successful run-in would certainly help settle the nerves and, fortunately, nearly all of United’s remaining league games look winnable.
First up is Saturday’s trip to Kingstonian, who managed their first win in seven league outings last week, with a 4-2 victory over erratic St Albans.
Devonshire said: “I’m looking forward to it. We had a good win on Saturday and the lads are bubbling.
“But they have also had a good win against St Albans, so it looks like they’re back on form.”
On Easter Monday, Maidenhead welcome Chesham United to York Road. The Advertiser went to press on Tuesday night, before the result of the Berks & Bucks Cup semi-final between Chesham and Burnham was known. However, if the game goes to form, Monday’s clash could be a preview of the final.
Devonshire added: “I’m watching Chesham tonight. But whoever wins, the final will be a local derby, and I’m sure it’ll be a good one.”