Aylesbury are final hurdle (11.04.03)

TUESDAY night’s impressive victory over Windsor & Eton has earned Maidenhead United a fifth Berks & Bucks Senior Cup Final spot in six years.
In fact, the result means United have reached one cup final each year since manager Alan Devonshire’s tenure began in 1997.
The club was targeting cup runs this year, but suffered disappointing first-round exits in all the main competitions.
Consequently, it was no great surprise to see Devonshire almost earning himself a caution for repeated and passionate outbursts from the dug-outs on Tuesday night.
After the game, he said: “It was a terrific performance to be fair.
“Semi-finals are never easy games, so to win 5-0 was good.
“We played well as a team, we worked really hard, we got the early goals and that was it. Game over.”
The Magpies now face Aylesbury United in May’s final at The Meadow, in Chesham.
Devonshire said: “It’s going to be difficult. We’re the best two sides in the area. Aylesbury are going really well in the FA Trophy. They’re still in there.
“They have a big squad and I’m sure they’ll be up for it.”
However, despite his obvious pleasure at reaching another final, Devonshire claimed his main priority remained the Ryman Premier.
He added: “The league is still the main thing for me. We have two points more than we’ve ever had in the Premier with more games to go.
“I want us to get as many points as we can.”
Another big positive from Tuesday night’s game were strong performances from strikers Lawrence Yaku and Lee Channell, with the former bagging a hat-trick.
Channell was less fortunate, but did score United’s vital goal in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Hayes at York Road, when he was also a strong contender for man of the match.
Adrian Allen also demonstrated the threat he poses in front of goal, scoring within four minutes of his introduction on Tuesday.
Devonshire said of his strikers: “It’s a long season. You’re going to have times when they’re up and down, good or indifferent.
“But they’re playing well at the moment.”

Tomorrow (Saturday) United travel to Billericay Town, who have now lost six games on the bounce, while salvaging just two points from a possible 30 over their last 10.
As a result, they are now just a single point above United, who have two games in hand over their hosts.
On Tuesday, Maidenhead United make the short trip to Sutton, for the first of two meetings in five days, with the return leg taking place next Saturday.
The Surrey side’s results have been a bit mixed of late but, ominously, they have lost just once at home in the league since early November – and only three times all season.