Bemused Magpies curse their luck (07.11.02)

THERE was an air of inevitability about Maidenhead United's FA Trophy defeat to Tonbridge Angels on Saturday, as the best laid plans of mice and men went woefully astray.
Not that the Magpies played badly. In fact they produced some of their best attacking football of the season.
However, when the wind and the rain, the boggy surface, the men in black and even the woodwork go against you, you are always on a hiding to nothing.
Club chairman Roger Coombs put the defeat down to bad luck, and claimed a bird of ill omen had predicted the result hours before the kick-off.
He said: “It was a good game of football, but obviously I'm disappointed with the result.
“We dominated the game and created lots of chances. They just didn't go in.
“We hit the post and their keeper made some great saves – although I'm not sure he knew much about some of them – and having a perfectly good goal ruled out didn't help.
“But I knew it was going to be one of those days when I saw a magpie hopping around on the lawn in the morning.”
However, despite his obvious disappointment, there were none of the recriminations which followed United's last-minute elimination from the FA Cup, back in September.
A more pragmatic Coombs added: “I suppose we'll just have to concentrate on the league.
“It's important to keep picking up points to make sure we stay well clear of the drop zone.”
Manager Alan Devonshire was also left cursing the gods of football on Saturday, after watching his side slide to defeat against obviously inferior opponents.
He said: “It was a crazy game. They had two shots on goal and went two up.
“We could have been six up maybe, but sometimes you need a bit of luck in football and I don't think we got the rub of the green on Saturday.
“I wasn’t sure about their penalty. And I can’t see why our goal was ruled out for offside when they had a guy on the line.
“It's disappointing to be knocked out of the cup but I couldn't have asked for any more from the players.”
Nor, it transpires, could he have asked any more of United's travelling fans.
He added: “The fans were brilliant. We were 2-0 down but they got behind us and helped us get back into the game.
“I would like to thank them on behalf of myself and the team for their support.
“It helped the team through a bad time. That can make a real difference, and it did on Saturday.”
Tomorrow (Saturday), United return to league action when they travel to Essex to take on Canvey Island.
Canvey are one of the big name clubs in the league, but are just one point ahead of the Magpies after a disappointing start to their campaign.
And, with all hopes of a money-spinning cup run now over, it is in the league where United must achieve their ambitions.
Devonshire said: “I’m quite happy where we are, but the next four or five games will be crucial. Half the league is going to get dragged into the relegation battle. We just want to avoid that.
“Hopefully, if we can play our football, and defend a bit better, we'll be all right.”

United announced two fixture changes this week, after drawing Lewes away in the League Cup on November 26.
The Magpies have also set a date for their rearranged home clash with Heybridge Swifts, which now takes place on December 3.