Maidenhead United withdraw from county cup handing MK Dons a bye to the semi-finals

Maidenhead United have announced their decision to withdraw from the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup for the third time in recent seasons. The Magpies had been due to host Milton Keynes Dons in a quarterfinal tie tomorrow evening (Tuesday, February 27).

The Magpies had played two ties in the competition this season, defeating Didcot Town 5-2 away from home with a hat-trick from Christian Johnson, and Milton United 4-0 at home with Shawn McCoulsky helping himself to a treble.

Explaining the decision in a statement, Maidenhead posted: “We understand the disappointment this decision will cause; however, we've reached a congested stage of the season due to the recent inclement weather and rearrangement of fixtures.

“Our priority is to ensure the wellbeing and availability of both first team and academy players.

“There is also considerable uncertainty regarding the date of the BBFA Cup Final with the possibility of being scheduled in mid-May, over 3 weeks after the end of our season, meaning we would be unable to field a team for the final were we to progress that far.

“We thank the BBFA and MK Dons for their understanding and we wish all clubs remaining in the competition the very best of luck for the remainder of the 2023/24 competition.”

Maidenhead are not the first team to have withdrawn from the county cup competition this season, with Wycombe Wanderers opting not to field a side this season.

Understandably, the decision has not gone down well amongst football fans, with some feeling both Maidenhead and Wycombe have let down smaller clubs still left in the competition as well as the county competition itself.

Russell Martin posted: “Come on, just one midweek game left.

“Everything else as scheduled. Just showing contempt for other clubs and the competition itself.”

Gareth Woodward added: “That's not acceptable. Totally devalued the cup. Give a club the tie that depends on the revenue. The lower step teams respect this competition, whereas it’s obviously a hinderance to the bigger teams.”

However, Maidenhead would argue that having come through a packed recent schedule, Saturday’s trip to AFC Fylde is of far greater significance to the future of the club than the visit of Milton Keynes for a mid-week county cup tie.

The draw for the final eight will be completed after tomorrow night's (Tuesday) game between Flackwell Heath and Reading City and Marlow's trip to Winslow United on March 5. The Blues' game at Winslow is effectively a quarter-final, with the winners going straight to the semi-finals after Wycombe's decision to withdraw.

Milton Keynes Dons are the first team through to the semi-finals after the Magpies pulled out, while in the other quarterfinals, Beaconsfield Town are set to take on the winners of Flackwell and Reading City and Burnham are due to host League 1 side Reading this Wednesday (7.45pm kick-off).