Maidenhead United made it through to the First Round of the FA Cup for the fourth time in four seasons after beating Taunton Town 3-0 at York Road on Tuesday night.
The Magpies were held to a 1-1 draw in Somerset on Saturday against the Southern League Premier Division South side but went through thanks to goals from Tobi Sho-Silva, Ruben Carvalho, and Sam Barratt.
There were fears amongst home supporters that the visitors might enact a ‘giant killing’ in Berkshire with a first-half goal for Maidenhead the only score going into half-time.
An interview on the Maidenhead United website with assistant manager Ryan Peters suggested he agreed with supporters deja vu concerns: “[It was] similar to Saturday’s game where we started really well, scored a great goal, had the opportunity to score a second from the penalty. [We] didn’t take it, and the performance dropped for some reason.
“We managed to get to half time, had those conversations, then for some reason – again similar to Saturday – we just didn’t come out in the second half, and for 25 minutes we were up against it. We defended really well, managed to break off of Reece Smith, and score few goals to make a life a little bit easier for us.”
Maidenhead are through though and will host EFL side Crawley Town in the FA Cup First Round Proper, aiming to reach the second round for the first time in the post-war era. EFL League One Reading FC will host Fleetwood Town at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
FA Trophy
It’s fair to say Football in Berkshire hasn’t been quite across the Trophy and FA Vase in as much depth as we’d usually like this season so herewith an update on progress of the Berkshire sides.
Hungerford Town are in the FA Trophy First Round Proper on the weekend of Saturday 26th October at home to Yate Town. It will be the second meeting of the two sides this season after Hungerford won an FA Cup First Qualifying Round tie 1-0. Yate lead the Southern League Division One South at the time of writing while Hungerford beat Sholing 3-1 in the previous round.
Still to come: Slough Town are exempt until the Second Round Proper and Maidenhead are exempt until the Third Round.
FA Vase
The FA Vase First Round Proper is already upon us with Berkshire sides aiming to walk out at Wembley Stadium in May. The First Round ties are due to take place over the weekend of Saturday 19th October.
Holyport will be favourites going into their tie with Combined Counties League Premier Division South bottom side Spelthorne Sports. Port have beaten Hillingdon Borough and Crawley Green already in the competition.
Windsor & Eton lead the Combined Counties Division One and will host division rivals Brook House at Stag Meadow on Saturday. Strength in depth with the Royalists means you’d certainly back Matty Angell’s side to go deep in this season’s competition with bigger tests to come.
Also on Saturday, Wallingford & Crowmarsh at Erith & Belvedere, Tadley Calleva at home to Ivybridge Town, a long away day for Virginia Water at Whitstable Town and Yateley United at home to Bearstead.
On Sunday, improving Berks County are on the road in a 3pm kick-off at Epsom & Ewell with very recent experience of success in the competition. The Swords debut season in 2021/22 saw them play five matches and reach the Third Round, narrowly losing 2-1 at home to Egham Town.
In addition, Burnham will have a new face in the dugout for their tie which see’s Eastbourne United visit the 1878 Stadium (2:30pm).
Hopefully, that’s cleared all that up!
