22nd NOVEMBER 2003

MAIDSTONE UTD 3 AFC WALLINGFORD 0

MATCH REPORT BY Ruth Tunnell for www.maidstoneunited.co.uk 

STONES PUT AN END TO MISERABLE RUN OF FORM

With the wet and blustery conditions and the pitch resembling the Romney Marsh, the Stone's home FA Vase tie against AFC Wallingford was never destined to be a classic, but the Stones mustered a good performance to sail into the next round as 3-0 winners.

The Stones started brightly, clearly determined to put an end to their poor run of form and with the wind in their favour, pressed forward at every opportunity. In the first five minutes both Foley and Sinden went close to opening the scoring with headers. Horan, returning from suspension, then belted a shot that looked destined to riffle into the net but Paul Strudley pulled off a fantastic save, palming the ball wide.

The Stones continued to dominate and were rewarded with a goal in the 22nd minute. Bradbrook, who had a brilliant game, passed inside to Kedwell and his blistering shot from just inside the area scorched into the bottom corner of the net. Three minutes later it was nearly 2-0 to the Stones. Bradbrook was again involved as he put McCabe clear into space. He found Lacy whose cross came out to Kedwell but his shot smacked against the bar.

Wallingford then had their first opportunity to score when Stevens passed to Small-King and his ball reached Simpson but he fired over the bar. On 34 minutes, the tricky Small-King found McKinnen and his good shot was spilled by Hudson but the ball was cleared to safety.

With the crowd getting jittery, the Stones relieved the nerves when in the 42nd minute they deservedly went 2-0 in front. A Kedwell surging run lead to a throw and when the ball entered the box it was met by Foley's head. The keeper looked to have tipped the ball over but in the swirling wind the ball failed to clear the bar and unexpectedly looped into the net.

AFC Wallingford replaced Hill with Hannigan at half time and within minutes of the restart the impressive referee booked McCabe. The game was effectively ended in the 60th minute when a dreadful back pass from AFC Wallingford broke into Sinden's path who was still a considerable distance from goal. His run took him into the box where he rounded the keeper and smashed the ball into the net much to his and the crowds delight.

Wallingford immediately came close to pulling a goal back when a superbly hit free kick from Simpson was matched by an excellent save from Hudson. Minutes later, Hudson was again called into action saving well with his feet from Beavon's shot.

A flurry of substitutions around 70 minutes saw AFC Wallingford's McKinnen and Champion substituted for Dark and Howell and the Stones brought Austin off for Steve Hogg. The game was becoming rather niggley and Simpson was booked for his challenge on Lacy, but the referee handled the situations well and calm was restored.

The last significant chance of the game fell to Wallingford when a free kick into the Stones box was met with a glancing header and the ball thudded against the base of the post. The Stones then took Sinden off for Marshall and Jonathon Hogg came on for Horan with three minutes to go as United finished the game as comfortable winners.

The Stone's supporters and players will certainly be pleased with the result and the performance which sees Maidstone become one of the last 64 teams in the competition. Jim Ward said that when the Stones had deservedly gone 1-0 up it was if they were frightened to take the lead. Paul Foley's fantastic header, which had been helped into the net by the keeper, was a bit of luck the Stones hadn't had for some while and he said the lift in the tension when the second goal went in was noticeable. Jim added that he knew the Stones would be put under the cosh in the second half playing into the terrible wind but he was very pleased with the result particularly as a win in the next round would see the Stones in the national draw.

Maidstone United: Hudson, McCabe, Barton, Foley, Edwards, Kedwell, Horan (sub J.Hogg 42), Lacy, Bradbrook, Austin (sub S.Hogg 72), Sinden (sub Marshall 42). Subs not used: Griffen, Appleton.

AFC Wallingford: Strudley, Hill (sub Hannigan 45), Champion (sub Howell 72), Campbell, Porter, Stevens, McKinnen (sub Dark 66), Small-King, Beavon, Ward, Simpson

NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL IN KENT