Final defeat for Goddard (10.05.05)

Maidenhead United Reserves 1, Eton Wick FC 2

MAIDENHEAAD United Reserves turned in a disjointed display in a 2-1 defeat to Eton Wick in the Wycombe Senior Cup final at the Causeway Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Hellenic League outfit took the lead, only for Jon Christopher to level from the spot.
However, Eton went on to clinch a deserved win with a second and decisive goal.
Conference South regulars Brian Connor, Craig O'Connor and Barry Matthews all started the game, but even their undoubted quality could not produce a win for manager Richie Goddard in his final game in charge.
Goddard said: “I was very, very surprised. We didn’t perform on the night.
“But to be fair to Eton Wick they have won everything they’ve entered this season.
“The last time they were beaten was back in August, and they’ve won 45 games on the trot. All credit to them. They beat us 2-1 and that flattered us a bit.
“They played really well.”
Late team changes did not help United’s cause, with 1st team regular Adam Federici being called up for international duties with Australia at the last minute, and several others dropping out due to injuries. However, Goddard thought the blame for the defeat should be shared, adding: “We just didn’t turn up on the night.”
Goddard is now on the lookout for management opportunities for next season, and is clearly in demand, with two other clubs approaching him already.
But this dyed-in-the-wool Magpie could prove hard to shift.
He said: “After 13 years at the club I don’t want to leave Maidenhead. It’s been part of my life.
“But the Reserves are moving into the Capital League, and there’s only nine teams in it, so there’s only 16 games.
“There wasn’t really a job for me. It wasn’t a question of me standing down.”
While admitting the post of Reserve team manager had now become defunct, club chairman Jon Swan said he was keen to keep Goddard on board, saying: “There’s not many people around with his amount of experience. So we would want him to remain involved in some capacity.”
Talking about Goddard’s service to Maidenhead United, Swan added: “You can’t fault him.
“He’s not just been Reserve team manager, he’s was also very successful as youth team manager for several seasons.
“A number of his players have come from his teams and gone on to play first team football.
“He’s been invaluable to the club.”

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE: Eton Wick were head and shoulders above Maidenhead United on Tuesday night. Ref:88758/21.