Magpies in total control - for first 13 seconds (06.11.04)

AS FIRST minutes go, Saturday’s was one of United's best and most memorable in several seasons at York Road, as Craig O’Connor burst forward from the kick-off and deftly lifted the ball over the advancing keeper to make it 1-0 with just 13 seconds on the clock.
Unfortunately, this early breakthrough flattered to deceive, as United sat back and greedily eyed a whitewash, while lower-league Bromley got on with the job in hand and eventually ran out worthy winners.
If one were looking for excuses, the continued absence of central defenders Andy Jennings and Bryan Smith, and Saturday’s warm-up injury to Andy Dugdale, could be used.
Added to this was the 14th-minute loss of striker Richard Harris who had, until then, been coping admirably as a makeshift centre-half.
But what these excuses reveal is a disturbing lack of depth to United’s injury-ravaged squad, which now, more than ever, looks in dire need of strengthening.
With Harris dispatched to the hospital, manager John Dreyer had no choice but to move Chris Elsegood into the centre of defence alongside Brian Connor, while Daryl Elford moved into the hole at right-back.
The decision proved crucial, as within three minutes Bromley had exposed United’s defensive frailties, when Sam Okafor broke down the right and lifted a cross to Scott Bennetts at the far post, who smashed the ball in-off the bar with a free header.
Two minutes later United were given another warning, when Paul Kember threaded the ball to Adolph Amoako, who forced Andy Goldman into a fine reaction save when one-on-one.
The tide appeared to have turned back in United’s favour, however, when O’Connor pounced on a rebound and blasted the ball home from the edge of the six yard box.
Unfortunately, and rather ridiculously, the linesman flagged for offside and the referee ruled out the goal .
United’s players helpfully pointed out that both the keeper and a Bromley defender were standing on the line, but the decision stood, and the Magpies had been robbed of the lead.
Then, almost inevitably, disaster struck, when Colin Luckett floated a free-kick into the Maidenhead box, where Chris Elsegood looped a back header over Goldman and into his own net.
With half-time looming United finally mounted a concerted attack on the Bromley goal, but when the final shot materialised keeper Andy Walker managed to back-pedal and tip it over the bar.
If there was still any doubt as to where this cup tie was headed it was dispelled within 10 minutes of the restart, as first Cook was denied from four yards out by a brave block by Walker, and then Leroy Huggins made it 3-1 with another free-header from another Luckett free-kick.
The Magpies briefly threatened on 68 minutes, when Barrie Matthews surged forwards and curled a cross onto Cook’s head, but the midfielder headed just wide under pressure from the defence.
It looked as if United would never score, prompting the Bromley manager to make a double substitution up front.
But before they had time to settle, that man Luckett struck again, when his long-range shot-cum-cross drifted over Goldman’s head and under the bar.
The goal seemed to rile United, who lifted their game and went very close to earning a replay with one final, all-out assault.
With nine minutes to play O’Connor made it to the byline and fired a low cross into the six yard box for Matthews to poke home. Cook then fired high and wide from a good position, but managed to keep his head a few minutes later, when he nutmegged a defender to set up Simon Patterson for a close-range finish.
The impossible now seemed almost within grasp, but any remaining hope was extinguished on 87 minutes, when Rob Saunders volleyed high and wide, with what proved to be the last chance of the game.

BATLLE OF WILLS: Bromley goalscorer Scott Bennetts and Magpies midfielder Kelvin McIntosh battle for a 50-50 ball at York Road on Saturday. Ref:86976/12.