Before the match, United boss Simon Rowland felt that his side had been handed one of the toughest ties of the round and United’s cause wasn’t helped by the dismissal of skipper Shaun Loft for ‘use of excessive force’ on 80 minutes.
Mateusz Szarfranski made his debut in goal after signing from Eastbourne Borough in the absence of Grant Young, with Luke Denton retaining his place in the heart of the United defence alongside Loft.
Taylor struck his first of the afternoon with just six minutes on the clock as he fired home a rebound after Wes Tate’s 25 yard had been spilt by Phoenix ‘keeper Woodward.
Phoenix, who were third in the Southern Counties East Football league coming into the game, drew level ten minutes later as a deep cross was headed in by Alex Nelson at the far post.
A further ten minutes later saw United regain their lead as a Tate corner was flicked on by Loft to an unmarked Matt Maclean who headed home his first ever goal at The Oval.
Tate came inches away from getting his name on the scoresheet as his 25 yard free kick hit the corner of the crossbar and post before rebounding to safety.
With the half time whistle fast approaching, Phoenix drew level for the second time in the contest after a free kick from the left wing was headed past Szarfranski by James Brown.
With the second half less than two minutes old, Phoenix found themselves ahead for the first time in the contest as Ricky Freeman danced round Szarfranski to slot home and make the scoreline 3-2 to the visitors.
Ryan McBride came close to drawing United level ten minutes into the second half, but his effort was cleared off the line following a Tate corner.
Tate was instrumental in United’s equaliser as he lifted the ball through for Taylor, who expertly slotted the ball home.
The dismissal of Loft on 80 minutes saw a tactical reshuffle, with Ben Dartnall replaced by Jack Aston who slotted in alongside Denton at the back.
With the scores level at 90 minutes, the tie went to extra time and it was United who struck first as Taylor completed his hat-trick when he was found by Jack Divall and rifled the ball into the top corner.
Phoenix showed their resilience by drawing level for a third time when Chris Hill slid the ball home as the tie looked destined to go to a replay.
Taylor had other ideas however as he placed the ball into the bottom right corner of the Phoenix net to seal victory and ensured United’s name is in the hat for the second round draw

EUAFC: Szarfranski; Divall, S.Dartnall, Loft, Denton, Franklin, B.Dartnall (Aston 81), Maclean, McBride (Rogers 119), Tate, Taylor