Magpies rule the roost in cup clash (Story posted 08.05.02)

THE underdogs bared their teeth on Monday, as Maidenhead United vanquished favourites Chesham to secure their third Berks & Bucks Cup title in five years.
After 131 minutes of football, it took a penalty shoot-out to separate the sides.
However, the Black & Whites looked every bit the champions, as they confidently blasted their way to a 4-2 victory.
It was dramatic and thrilling finale to a largely dull afternoon of football, but there were no complaints from manager Alan Devonshire about the manner of the win.
He said: “We were very nervous for the first 20 minutes or so, but after that we got more confident and I was quietly confident of a win.
“We had the better chances in the game and over the 90 minutes I thought we were the better side. Everyone did their bit, and that was very pleasing.”
However, there was a hint of regret that his team had failed to score in open play.
He added: “Lee (Channell) was through but didn’t score. I felt for him, but with cup finals it doesn’t really matter how you win it. I’m just delighted for the boys.
“We’ve had a good six seasons and long may it continue.”
Club chairman Roger Coombs was also delighted to have secured some silverware – and revenge for last season’s cup final defeat.
He said: “The game itself was very evenly matched and either side could have nicked it.
“But we’re delighted with the end result. I think we deserved it.
“It’s revenge for last season, when we lost out to a penalty. I think justice has been done.
“It’s a good end to the season and it was great to come back with a cup.”
Chesham’s skipper for the day Tim Cook was naturally downbeat about the game and thought his side had not done themselves justice.
He said: “It felt like the end of a long season. It was a bit of a non-event.
“The club are very disappointed with the way we played and felt we should have won it in the first half.
“But Richie Barnard had a very good game. The save he made from the overhead kick was excellent.
“He was going the wrong way, so I don’t know how he got to it.”
Cook was also keen to play down his controversial selection as skipper, which many saw as a psychological tactic to unsettle United.
Cook said: “That’s rubbish. Just before the game Dereck Brown asked if I could have the captaincy for the day because it was my old club. There was no more to it than that.”
However, to the casual spectator, it did seem as if there was some needle going on, as Cook and Lee Channell tried to knock chunks out of each other in the first half.
But Cook also played this down, saying: “I like Lee. I’ve got a lot of respect for him as a player and I enjoyed playing against him. I enjoy a battle like that, rather than against someone who’s whining and moaning all game.”

Preparations for next season are already underway at York Road, with United announcing a new signing this week, in the shape of Northwood’s prolific goal-scorer Lawrence Yaku.
The Magpies have been trying to sign Yaku for several seasons and had a major cash offer rejected by Northwood last year.
However, the striker’s contract expired recently and Devonshire swooped.
He said: “The lad’s scored 144 goals in 188 starts. It is a step up for the boy, but I wouldn’t sign him if I didn’t think he could do it.”
Magpies fans will not have to wait long to find out if Yaku can shine at the higher level, as United are due to play Brentford in just eight weeks time.
And, with the season proper kicking-off in mid-August, it is only 13 weeks until the Ryman League is back in full swing.