Captain Cook's nose (story posted on 6/12/01)

SATURDAY’S home defeat to Hendon certainly put coach Alan Devonshire’s nose out of joint – but not nearly as far as skipper Tim Cook’s.
With 20 minutes to play, former United striker Joe Nartey and Cook rose to meet a high cross, which left Cook sprawling on the deck with blood pouring from his shattered nose.
The referee saw nothing wrong with the challenge, but Nartey’s manager may have spotted something, as he decided to bring him off just minutes later.
Cook said a swinging elbow was to blame for his new profile, but claimed it would take more than a few fractures to spoil his boyish good looks.
He said: “I haven’t even been to hospital yet because it’s too swollen. But the way it feels, its probably broken in a couple of places.
“I had a few personal words with Joe as he left the pitch, but that’s just between the two of us.”
Ignoring the injury, Cook stayed on the pitch to lead United’s spirited fightback against the visitors.
However, despite his side’s second half dominance, they failed to find an equaliser and crashed out of the FA Trophy.
Even Hendon’s manager sympathised with coach Alan Devonshire after the match, as it was clear the better side had lost.
Devonshire said: “We played really well again but gave a goal away in the first 45 seconds.
“It wasn’t very good defending and I was very disappointed. But after that I couldn’t complain. We did everything except win the game.
“It’s disappointing to get knocked out but I was quite pleased with the performance. It was just one of those days.”
However, the real challenge lies ahead, as United go on the road for two tough away games in the space of four days.
On Saturday, they travel to Basingstoke in the league.
Devonshire said: “We are going down there with the confidence to win.
“We lost there last year and they finished the season in third. But we were the Premier League new boys then and now the lads are confident they can beat anyone on their day.
“Basingstoke aren’t having such a good season this time, but I still expect them to finish in the top six or so.
“I’ll be happy with a draw, but if we keep playing the way we are, I don’t see why we can’t nick a win.”
One obstacle may be a drastic shortage of centre backs, with Andy Morley and Steve Croxford injured, and Jamie Jarvis suspended.
However, Devonshire signed Orlando Jeffrey from Burnham last week, and hopes to give him his first league outing on Saturday.
United have also signed Carl Levene this week, formally a striker with Harrow Borough, although Devonshire intends to play him on the left in midfield.
On Tuesday, Maidenhead face an even harder task in the shape of high-flying Billericay.
The Essex side have not lost a game in the league since September and, had it not been for a series of low-scoring draws, would be fighting for top spot.
Devonshire said: “They’re going really well at the moment and they gave us the biggest hiding last year.
“It was only 2-0 but it could easily have been five or six. They absolutely slaughtered us.
“We will have to be on our toes for that one.
“I would settle for one win out of the next two games, but at the end of the day we will try and get as many points as we can.”