Maidenhead cruised into the fourth and final qualifying round of the FA Cup for only the third time in 35 years, overcoming plucky minnows Worthing United who put up a brave fight in defeat.

Maidenhead took the lead in the ninth minute when some good work down the right by Ashley Smith saw the ball end up at the feet of Dwain Clarke, who unleashed a cannonball of a shot from twenty yards, giving diminutive Worthing keeper Sam Figg no chance as the ball rocketed into the back of the net.  It was almost 2-0 on  the half hour mark when Clarke combined with Craig O’Connor to set up Lee Newman whose shot was deflected onto the crossbar.  Encouraged by this let off Worthing then had their best chance of the half hour when a testing shot by Colin Moss was parried by Chico Ramos.  Maidenhead then hit back decisively in sight of half time.  A Newman run down the right was ended illegally in the penalty area, and O’Connor did not need to be asked twice to step up to the spot, blasting the kick into the back of the net (pictured above).

Worthing however were given hope just after the interval when a deceptive free kick from the right touchline by manager Paul Curtis was met by a deft finish from Steve Pickles to half the deficit.  Clarke continued to be at the centre of all things Maidenhead, having two shots in as many minutes which put Figg and full stretch to push the ball to safety.  Similarly Ramos had to be at his best with half an hour left when he tipped a thirty yard effort from Joe Shelley over the bar.  Newman made the game safe with twenty minutes when he ended a mazy run down the left with a cool finish to score, tip the Man of the Match award in his favour.

The result means caretaker manager Richie Goddard finishes his spell in charge with a remarkable 100% record, leaving the team well placed in the league and just one tie away from the magical FA Cup first round proper

Magpies: Ramos. Smith, Parsons, Nisbet, Sterling, Hughes, Witt, Osman (83 Lewington), O'Connor, Newman L (86 Allen), Clarke (83 Jackson). Unused subs: Bunce, Romeo.

Goals: Clarke 9, O’Connor 41 pen, Newman L 70.  Bookings: Nisbet 48.

Magpie of the Match: Lee Newman. Gate: 304.

Mavericks: Figg, MacKenzie, Curtis (74 Yeo), Moss, Keetch, Maymon (80 Webb), Azmi, Pickles, Geddes, Shelley, Levy (45 Schneider).   Unused subs: Footman, Young.

Goal: Pickles 49.  Bookings: Curtis 25, Moss 42, Pickles 88.