Slough
Town (H) 20.02.01|
Maidenhead
Utd (1) 2
Channell 12, Glynn 61 |
Slough
Town (0) 0
|
||
Although the 31-year-old did not get on the scoresheet himself, he terrorised the Slough defence all night in his more forward role, displaying sublime skill combined with hard work. It was a masterful performance from Rake, and one which was particularly satisfying against his former club. He laid the first goal on a plate for top scorer Lee Channell, before midfielder Matt Glynn sealed victory in the second half with an excellent finish after a neat one-two with Channell. Slough rarely threatened during the game, and in fact the only danger to Maidenhead was running out of balls from the visitors' wayward shooting. The result of the match, sponsored by the Maidenhead Advertiser, meant the Magpies moved into the quarter-finals of the competition they won in 1998 and 1999. They will now entertain Football League side Reading at home on March 6 in another tough-looking encounter. If the Magpies win the county cup this year, they will have certainly done it the hard way. United were looking for revenge after the Rebels had knocked them out of the same competition last season. And the home side started strongly, forcing three corners in the opening five minutes, and setting the tone of the game. Their early pressure was rewarded with a goal after just 12 minutes, and unsurprisingly it was Rake who was the main instigator. The skilful star picked the ball up on the right, left two Slough defenders for dead with a outrageous nutmeg and then centred perfectly for the unmarked Channell to score his 13th goal of the season with a diving header. It was a superb goal but an even better strike was to follow later in the match. Slough did all they could to get back into the game, but although former Notts Forest winger Chris Allen threatened on the left with his pace, the United defence, featuring Michael Beaton in place of the injured Brian Connor, gave nothing away. At the other end United came close to extending their one-goal advantage, and it was again that man Rake involved. First he struck a 30-yard shot just over the bar, and then he set up Channell who saw his goal-bound volley acrobatically turned over the bar by Slough keeper Steve Mautone. United continued to dominate after the break with Mautone keeping Slough in the game, particularly with a point-blank save from Channell. The best move of the match involved Glynn, Chris Ferdinand and Channell which eventually saw Rake shave the bar with his shot. Rake thoroughly deserved a goal on the night, and it is incredible to think how he has not scored this season. The pressure finally told however when United grabbed a brilliant second in the 61st minute. Glynn collected the ball by the corner flag on the right, skinned his marker, played a brilliant one-two with Channell and then calmly side-footed the ball past Mautone for a wonderful strike. The goal killed off Slough, who for the remainder of the game tried to set a record for the number of balls fired out of a ground in one match. In the end, the difference between the sides was finishing. Oh, and a certain former Rebel named Rake. |
|||
Maidenhead United: Barnard, Woodhouse, Beaton, Rake, Croxford, Hickey, Cook, Ferdinand, Channell, Glynn, Ulasi. Subs: Craker (not used), Morley (not used), Creighton (for Channell, 88). Slough Town: Mautone, Cross, Allen, White, McPherson, Stott, Kemp, Hall, Coombs, Black, Haynes. Subs: Markman (for Coombs, 64), Andrews (not used), Holsgrove (for White, 56). |
|||
