FA Cup dreams crushed: Onariase felt Magpies 'did all the right things' in shock exit

Manny Onariase applauds the crowd after Saturday’s loss. Photo: Ian Longthorne

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Central defender Manny Onariase felt Maidenhead United did pretty much everything right against Faversham Town in the FA Cup on Saturday - apart from the only thing that truly matters, sticking the ball in the back of the net.

The Magpies had so many chances to score in Saturday’s second qualifying round tie and it seemed a question of when, not if, they’d eventually break the deadlock.

But those opportunities were spurned in the first half, and when Tashi-Jay Kwaiye tapped the ball home from close range in the 42nd minute, the Isthmian League South East side had a lead to desperately cling onto.

This they did, through luck rather than judgement at times, and with their keeper Roshan Greensall making two or three splendid saves. The Magpies were also wasteful and lacked the ruthlessness they’ve shown in their recent four game winning run in the National League South.

However, their step 4 opponents also deserve credit for playing their way back into contention - and creating a few very good chances of their own - after being totally outplayed in the opening 40 minutes.

“We had so many chances,” said Onariase after the final whistle.

“The keeper has pulled off so many saves, some of them off the line. It’s just so unfortunate. We did all the right things, but it just didn’t go for us.

“Their goal was out of nowhere, second phase from a corner. And they’ve just put the ball in the box, and they’ve tapped it in.

“It’s so frustrating because we were in control of the game, it came very much against the run of play.

“We really wanted to go through and get something from this game to continue our good run.

“To lose how we did, creating so many chances and hitting the post. Duls (Liam Dulson) hit the post a couple of times and had so many chances himself.”

Onariase also made an interesting point about the FA Cup providing an interesting diversion for players as they bid to get out of the National League South at the first attempt. It’s the first time Onariase has played at step 2 and he insisted the squad would double down on its efforts to bounce back with a good result away to Maidstone United in the league on Saturday.

The Magpies head into the clash in fifth with their hosts in 15th after a fluctuating start to the season, But the Stones were in title contention last season and - like the Magpies - will hope to lift themselves into the promotion picture as the season goes on.

He said: “Especially being in this league, the FA Cup is something you can look forward to. You can get a team higher up and it’s what dreams are made of so to go out to Faversham how we did is unfortunate.

“We do treasure the FA Cup, every player does, right through from National League to the Premier League. More so us though so it is frustrating.

“After a loss like this you take a day to soak it up and then you return to training on Monday trying to put things right for Saturday. We focus on the league now and that’s all we can do. We’ll be at it on Monday, working hard to try and turn things around for Maidstone on Saturday.”