MAIDS face one of their toughest tests of the season tomorrow (Saturday), when they travel to Reading to face old foes Abbey.
Currently third in the table, Abbey have one of the best defences in the league, having conceded 60 points fewer than Maids.
They were also one of just four teams to beat the Braywick Park side last term.
Maidenhead coach Simon Edwards said: “It’s absolutely huge. Let’s not have any doubts about that.
“And I would even suggest they are favourites. They made a big song and dance when we beat them narrowly at Braywick, saying they had five or six players missing and that they’d beat us at their place.
“They have those players back now, and they’re also coming off the back of a great result at Oakmeadians.
“They have to be favourites.”
Despite Edwards’ claims, Abbey are a pretty distant third in the league, having lost five games this season.
All of these came against sides renowned for their powerful packs, perhaps pointing to a potential weakness.
In contrast – and for the first time in a long time – Maids have a well balanced side, with very useful players in all departments, and half-a-dozen others waiting in the wings.
And, despite his reservations, Edward added: “I’m looking forward to it. As a coach it’s the sort of game I enjoy, because I have to work hard on the preparations.
“I find it hard to motivate myself when we’re scoring 60 to 70 points against sides.
“Win or lose, I get my fun out of weeks like these.”
Unfortunately, Saturday’s frustrating win in Salisbury was not such a week.
Edward said: “I thought it was a poor performance against a poor side on a poor pitch, and with a poor referee.
“We were put on a postage-stamp pitch a mile from the club house, without even a safety rope.
“It was disgraceful. Safety has become a major issue in the sport. We just don’t play on pitches like that, ever.”
Edwards also hinted at foul play, adding: “They claimed their first team pitch was water-logged, but their captain told me they played a county game on it on Wednesday night and on Thursday they had the mini and junior sections practising on it.
“To me it seems it was a damage limitation exercise.
“On a full-size pitch we would have doubled the score.”
However, he also had a few words of praise for Salisbury and admitted they might have done him a favour.
He added: “They have a lot of heart and they’re worth a lot better place in the league than third from bottom.
“They never lie down, which is just the kind of game we needed before Abbey.
“It’s sharpened everyone’s thinking up and that’s exactly what we needed.
“It’s ideal preparation.”
Tomorrow’s game is scheduled to kick-off at 2.30pm.