WINDSOR FC all but confirmed home side Badshot Lea’s Combined Counties League Premier Division relegation with a 3-1 success on Saturday.

The visitors took control from the outset with Nadir Shafi looking dangerous, and it was his cross which gave Yash Romeo an early chance, but the striker failed to make proper contact with the bobbling ball.

Barry Dunbar and Romeo were industrious and it was the latter who opened the scoring when his speculative cross shot found the top corner of the goal.

Windsor continued to dominate possession for the remainder of the half, but they were unable to create any further clear-cut chances.

And they were hit with a sucker-punch deep into first-half injury-time when Ainsley Everett equalised.

The away side regrouped at the break, and the impressive back three trio of Brad Pearce, Andy Ingram and Ashley Smith limited any Badshot attacks.

Windsor looked set to endure a frustrating afternoon, but it was Rob Lazarczuk who made the difference.

His smart ball into Romeo saw the defence the wrong side of the frontman, who made sure he would either get a shot away or draw the foul.

The defender obliged by bundling Romeo over and Lazarczuk put Windsor in front from the spot.

As Badshot pushed forward for an equaliser, gaps were left and it was Lazarczuk again with a smart through ball to Shafi which allowed the latter to round the advancing keeper and slot home.

Windsor sit 13th in the table and host North Greenford United – the side one below them in the table – tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm) before travelling to high-flying Walton & Hersham on Monday (3pm).

Maidenhead United

MAIDENHEAD United recorded a seventh straight win to move five points clear at the top of the Vanarama National League South table as they overcame East Thurrock United 2-1.

In front of a season-high York Road crowd of 1,134, the Magpies kept their title challenge well and truly on track with four games of the season remaining.

Harry Pritchard came close to putting the hosts in front with a sixth-minute free-kick which caused concern in the Thurrock area, while Ben Marlow then struck the post from 20 yards out at the other end.

Sean Marks and Dean Inman both forced fine saves from visiting goalkeeper Lucas Lidakevicius as Maidenhead increased the tempo, and they finally made the breakthrough on 35 minutes when the prolific Dave Tarpey netted with a clever lob for the 42nd goal of his campaign.

The hotshot could have doubled the lead before the break when he beat two men before firing wide from close range, and East Thurrock levelled early in the second half when Ben Wood lashed home a 20-yard screamer.

Yet this galvanised the Magpies, and after a spell of intense pressure, Maidenhead got their noses back in front when the unselfish Marks laid the ball perfectly for midfielder Jack Parkinson to drill low into the corner to make it 2-1.

Tarpey, Remy Clerima and substitute Jordan Cox could all have put the game to bed for the hosts, but – despite some frantic late pressure from East Thurrock – they held on for another vital win.

Maidenhead United host Concord Rangers this afternoon (3pm), before travelling to Truro City on Easter Monday (3pm).

Holyport

HOLYPORT crashed to a 3-0 defeat at Hellenic League Division One East runners-up Woodley United on Saturday.

The visitors proved obdurate in the first period, and with goalkeeper Kyle Bradley in fine form, held the Kestrels to a goalless half.

However, Woodley broke the deadlock within the first minute of the second half as Danny Horscroft found the back of the net, and the midfielder doubled his side’s advantage just after the hour mark.

Holyport continued to battle, but the game was over as a contest when replacement Greg Beckett found the target with a little more than 20 minutes remaining.

The defeat guarantees ‘Port will finish second-bottom in the table. They were due to finish their season at Chalfont Wasps last night (Thursday).

Burnham

BURNHAM avoided bottom spot in the Hellenic League Premier Division after basement boys Henley Town were thumped 9-0 by champions Thame United in their final game.

Burnham end their season with a trip to Tuffley Rovers tomorrow (Saturday), and could still climb to third-bottom with a victory if Oxford City Nomads lose at home to Ascot United on Easter Monday.

Lynch Pin

DEAN PAPALI and Stuart Moulder netted for Lynch Pin, but they lost 7-2 at home to Milton Keynes Academy in Division Two East of the Hellenic League on Saturday.

However, Lynch Pin returned to winning ways with an exciting 5-3 victory at Sandhurst Town Reserves on Wednesday, lifting them to fifth in the table.

Lynch Pin visit Ascot Clinton Development on Saturday (3pm), travel to Chalvey Sports on Tuesday (6.30pm) and host the same opponents on Thursday (6.30pm).

Cookham Dean

DEFENDING champions Cookham Dean reached their second successive BTC Senior Cup final with a 3-2 extra-time win against Woodcote Stoke Row.

Jake Dillon put WSR in front before an injury-time Lee Hawkins penalty levelled matters.

Hawkins and Scott Jackson put the Dean 3-1 up and meant Michael Davies’ goal was merely a consolation for Ross Weatherstone’s men, who had Jake Tucker dismissed.