Road to Wembley - United through after a 35-year wait

I know you were all watching out for Maidenhead's result Saturday, so you will know that a solitary goal from Lee Newman was enough to carry the Magpies through to the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time in 35 years.

In a tense affair the first half ended goalless but after the break United took the game by the scruff of the neck and began to turn the screw on their opponents. In the 54th minute Dwain Clarke waltzed through the Martyrs team on a mazy dribble only to blast the ball over when in close range of goal.

A minute later a Richard Witt shot went just wide and a Maidenhead goal seemed imminent. It arrived in the 69th minute when a cross from the right was dealt with messily by the Merthyr defence and ended up at the feet of Dominic Sterling at the far post, the experienced centre back coolly took his time waiting for LEE NEWMAN to run into space before cutting the ball back to the striker who made no mistake with a powerful finish from eight yards.

With 14 minutes to go the Welshmen’s job became harder when Jamie Rewberry was dismissed for an aerial challenge on Craig O’Connor. Within minutes the referee evened the numbers up by showing a second yellow card to Ashley Smith (above) for simulation.

This gave Merthyr fresh impetus, and their golden chance to equalize arrived with five minutes left. A Tom Billings corner was inadequately cleared by United allowing Merthyr to put the ball back in the danger area where Garry Shephard rose unchallenged to head the ball towards the iniviting goal.

With all 711 spectators watching with their heart in their mouth, the ball appeared to be flying home only for the outstretched hand of Ramos to come to the rescue with a breathtaking save to push the ball to safety.

Maidenhead: Ramos. Smith, Parsons, Nisbet, Sterling, Hughes R (66 Clarke Da), Witt, Osman (80 Romeo), O'Connor, Newman L (74 Allen), Clarke Dw.
Unused subs: Lewington, Haule.
MoM: Ramos
Att: 711

For those at home they would have the seen the 1st Round draw proper, which now gets intreresting as it includes professional clubs in League’s 1 and 2.

Maidenhead were drawn out to play away at Conference side Stafford Rangers, who play two levels up the non-league pyramid. The tie will take place on November 11th. The draw includes Nottingham Forest and Millwall, who made the final just 3 years ago.

Other than the Maidenhead game, other matches to watch are Gillingham at home to nearby Bromley. Forest play previous giant killers Yeading from the Conference South, Lewes play at home to Darlington, Farsley Celtic play MK Dons in what looks like a potential upset and Millwall have to go Havant & Waterlooville.

Two of the biggest crowds should be at York who entertain Bristol City and in the all Welsh game between Newport County play League 1 Swansea.

More on Maidenhead United soon.