It felt like the same old story on the pitch as Maidenhead slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Basingstoke with the visitors capitalising on a calamitous defensive error in the penalty area just ahead of half time to score the game's only goal.
Off the pitch there was the rare presence of Ady Williams and BBC Radio Berkshire to cover the "local derby", a match made possible only by the amazing hard work of Mark and Jason Stewart on Friday night and Saturday morning.
As the rain continued to fall ahead of kick off, the pitch remained just the right side of playable and indeed contributed to an entertaining game where the way in which the conditions forced the participants to toil, meant that the game became increasingly open.
This was a blessing for United who were really under the cosh in the first quarter of an hour against a Basingstoke team in full confidence having won three consecutive games without conceding a goal. The extent of the wet conditions began to emerge as Elvijs Putnins could not hold onto a cross in the sixth minute only for Andrew Jenkinson to put the ball the wrong side of the post from close range.
With Maidenhead playing three midfielders in front of their defence they slowly began to get a toe hold in the game, showing signs that they could take advantage of a ponderous Basingstoke defence. Just when the Magpies looked like they would reach the break on level terms though disaster struck when Les Thompson inexplicably knocked the ball back across the penalty area to no one in particular. Adrian Barrett was first to the ball and completed the simple task of striking the ball past a dumbfounded Putnins.
Half time saw me take time out for some matey banter with Williams as I managed to get bumped up the running order ahead of Robbie Williams but behind the travel news due to being able to grant the Welsh international's wish of an interview in the boardroom.
The second half was end to end stuff with a goal looking increasingly likely from either side. Maidenhead came closest when Danny Green ran clear of the two centre backs, beating the goal keeper with his shot which unfortunately hit the inside of the post, with no United player able to follow up as the ball rebounded back across the face of the goal.
For Basingstoke it was former magpie Manny Williams who was at the centre of their most attacking moves and having earlier drawn a good save from Putnins with a snap shot from distance. Then in the final minute he really should have sealed the points for the away team when he and two team mates had a man advantage going forward, only for Williams to go it alone and have his shot comfortably saved.
So a deserved win for Basingstoke in terms of possession and chances but another missed opportunity for the Magpies as the goal came from an avoidable error, with the width of the post denying an equaliser.
Time now for the pitch to take a break to recover from a wet week whilst United seek respite away from home in the FA Trophy.
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