Maidenhead United progress into the FA Cup first round

The Magpies booked their place in the FA Cup first round with a 3-1 win over step four side, Hastings United.

200-odd travelling Hastings United fans brought the noise throughout the afternoon as their burgundy and blue scarves painted the scenery behind Maidenhead United goalkeeper, Rhys Lovett, but it was the Magpies number one who would enjoy the last laugh.

Maidenhead United’s leading man this season opened the scoring after just four minutes with a finely-tuned strike from distance that surged into the bottom corner. Barratt’s tricky feet and explosive left-foot gave the lower league Hastings United defence troubles all game long.

Alan Devonshire’s side had plenty of chances to double their lead and eventually they did Josh Kelly’s intricate footwork teeing up Kane Ferdinand, cousin to Rio and co, to place it in past a busy Louis Rogers.

The Magpies two-goal cushion didn’t last long as Kenny Pogue ghosted beyond a drowsy Maidenhead backline and found the time to shoot straight at Lovett, only for the rebound to fall back to him where he lofted his finish over the goalkeeper and into the net. The U’s were looking to repeat the actions of their fellow league rivals, Cray Valley PM who came from 2-0 to beat Maidenhead at the same stage last season.

Unfortunately for the Sussex outfit, there was no lightning lurking in the clouds. The strike to kill of Hastings came from Nathan Blissett just two minutes into the restart. Barratt, once again, providing the damage with a forceful shot that bounced off Louis Rogers and Blissett slid in to score his first goal in the black and white.

It was a routine victory for Devonshire’s side to haul them out of their eight-game winless stretch to see them set up a first round tie away to Halifax Town. Maidenhead have their sights on a first 2nd round appearance in the FA Cup since their three quarter-finals runs in the 1870s.

Speaking to the afternoon’s man-of-the-match, Sam Barratt, he commended his side’s desire to return to winning ways.

“It’s been tough. We haven’t been doing too well in the league. So, through to the first round, solid performance and I think we’ve got to take confidence from that. I think we’ve got a lot more to give than we have shown.”

Sam also reflected on his goal-scoring exploits, “I done well last year and I’ve always wanted to improve on that. I’m happy to keep that going and raise the bar with the whole squad and hopefully lift everyone by getting goals throughout the team."