Royalist pretenders dethroned (16.10.04)

UNITED edged into the fourth and final FA Cup Qualifying Round for the first time in 25 years with a narrow win over local rivals Windsor & Eton at York Road on Saturday.
In a typical blood and thunder local derby, referee Bruce McLaren had to reach for his book 11 times.
United took the lead from the penalty spot in the 13th minute, following a blatant push on Jamie Cook, as he rose to meet Chris Elsegood’s cross at the far post.
McLaren had no option but to point to the spot.
Cook picked himself up and efficiently despatched the penalty kick with a powerful drive down the centre.
Windsor hit back swiftly, with Peter Holsgrove heading the ball straight at Nick Hart from point blank range after quarter of an hour, and then hitting the post with a shot across the face of goal three minutes later.
But as the half-time break approached United gradually took control of the game, with Barrie Matthews, Craig O’Connor and Cook hitting impressive shots, which all required good saves from Moroccan international Chuck Martini in the Windsor goal.
The second half continued in much the same vein.
The Magpies hit the back of the net on 63 minutes, when Cook struck a drop ball from the halfway line following a break in play for a head injury. Martini could have stopped it but chose to watch instead, as the ball flew into the goal.
Rather than award a goal, the referee booked Cook for ungentlemanly conduct and ordered him to retake the drop ball.
Windsor’s cause was not helped when they were reduced to 10 men on 68 minutes when, following a goalmouth scramble, Justin Skinner appeared to kick O’Connor as he lay on the ground.
McLaren was on the scene quickly and had no option but to send Skinner for an early bath.
The Magpies scored the crucial second goal two minutes later in a superb move.
Good work from Cook on the right wing saw him pass to Rob Saunders, who picked out Brendan Gallen on the left wing.
Gallen then slipped the ball to O’Connor, who sprinted to the byline before delivering a perfect low ball across the edge of the six yard box for Matthews to stab home.
The Royalists set up an exciting finish with a goal from a well worked free-kick on 80 minutes, controversially awarded when Keith Scott collapsed under the lightest of challenges from the impressive Bryan Smith
The kick, from the edge of the penalty area, saw Dave Carroll pass it to Paul Holsgrove, who then set up brother Peter for a shot, which rocketed into the back of the net.
United nerves then became a little frayed, as Windsor threw everything into attack.
Deep into injury time it looked like the Royalists’ efforts would pay off when two strikers eluded Hart and hared towards goal, but a last ditch tackle from Andy Dugdale saved the day, as he lifted the ball over his own bar.
From the resulting corner, with all 21 players in the Maidenhead half, the Magpies launched a swift counter attack, Lawrence Yaku breaking free down the left only to be brought down by last man Morgaro Gomis.
With 97 minutes on the clock, the referee decided a yellow card was sufficient punishment and allowed Gomis to stay on.
This proved to be the last action of the game, and a wave of relief swept York Road as for the first time in a generation the Magpies moved within 90 minutes of a place in the first round proper.

HOT SHOT: Barrie Matthews celebrates his second-half goal on Saturday. Ref:86755/12