Stones Match Reports Page

Tonbridge Angels 2

PORTAWAY 41(pen), ROYSTON 44

Maidstone Utd 3

BUTLER 35, 46(pen), 73

FA Cup
31st August 2002
Att:1027

Surely there will not be any other 40-year old hat trick heroes in this season's FA Cup? However, Maidstone United's Steve Butler fulfilled that role at Longmead in this pulsating Preliminary Round tie. The Stones' Director of Football produced a master class in finishing and general forward play, to help Go Travel Kent League Maidstone United achieve a major shock at Dr Marten's Eastern League Tonbridge Angels.

This all action Kent Derby was played out in front of a bumper crowd of 1027 and was recorded for BBC's Football Focus and by Sky Sports News, as both companies have chosen to follow the Stones on their "Road To Cardiff."

Both sides entered the game unbeaten, with Angels riding high in 5th place in the table and Stones leading the Kent League. With a fantastic atmosphere created by both sets of singing fans, the home side had the better of the early exchanges. The vastly experienced Steve Portway threatened first, when on 7 minutes his shot on the turn forced a good low save from Kevin Hudson. Within a minute, fellow striker (and ex-Stone) Peter Overton, hooked a good chance over the cross bar.

After these initial efforts by Angels, Stones began to settle down and were able to play a neat passing game on the good Longmead playing surface. This was shown after 25 minutes, when Butler and the returning Adrian Webster, who had made a brief sojourn to Conference side Margate, linked to make a superb low cross into the 6 yard area, which just eluded the outstretched boot of striker Steve Marshall.

The Angels rallied and Neil Davey was forced to clear from his own goal line in the 35th minute as the home side threatened. However, Davey's clearance made it's way to Webster on the right wing and the pacy midfielder ran half of the length of the field before pulling the ball back across the penalty area rather than shooting. This unselfish act gave Butler the relatively simple task of beating keeper Joe Radford from 10 yards out to give Stones the lead.

5 minutes later, Marshall should have made it 2-0 after Davey and Jamie Kempster had combined to put him through on goal. Keeper Radford made a vital save to keep the home side in contention. The importance of this save was illustrated within a minute, when the wily Portway was brought down by Davey in the area for a penalty kick. The referee, Mr O'Keefe, waved away the protests from the visitors and Portway picked himself up to duly despatch the spot kick to Hudson's left.

Davey's defensive qualities were called upon again just 3 minutes later, when he cleared from the goal line following a frenetic scramble in the goal mouth. From the ensuing corner, Danny Kedwell headed the ball back across goal and centre back Ryan Royston stabbed home from close range to the delight of the home supporters.

Having conceded the lead just prior to half time, Maidstone made the perfect start to the second half. With less than 30 seconds gone, Marshall was tripped in the penalty area and Butler was able to equalise by replicating Portway's previous spot kick effort.

Maidstone now started to dictate the play and Marshall again just failed to make contact with a low cross from the impressive Webster. Webster himself, almost scored just one minute later with a powerful cross shot that flashed across Radford's goal. Marshall then fired over when well placed, after good work by Kempster. Tonbridge battled back and the dangerous Portway forced another fine save from Hudson in the 65th minute after turning and shooting from 15 yards out.

The decisive goal came in the 73rd minute. Webster again supplied a telling cross, which was this time met by the head of Marshall. His cushioned header went back across goal to Butler and the Man Of The Match struck a carefully placed volley back past Radford and into the far corner of the Angels' net for his hat trick. The 500 visiting supporters were unsurprisingly ecstatic at this development.

Angels attempted to chase the game with Kedwell and Portway working hard. However, Stones three central defenders, Paul Foley, Ross Edwards and Steve Coatham remained strong and resolute in the face of this pressure. With about 5 minutes of stoppage time played, the final whistle was eventually sounded. The game had been a fantastic advertisement for both the early rounds of the FA Cup and for Kent non-league football also.

Maidstone now go on to visit either Newport (IOW) or Blackfield & Langley who drew 1-1 today.

Tonbridge Angels: Radford, Tingley, Saunders, Hume (Briggs 81), Royston, Beckwith, Roser, Overton, Kedwell, Portway, Barnes (Cass 78). Subs (not used) Ainsworth, Azzorpardi, Walsh

Maidstone: Hudson (7), Kempster (7), Jeffreys (7), Foley (8), Coatham (8), Edwards (8), Webster (8) (Scott 93), Butler (9), Marshall (8) (Sinden 90), Davey (7), Knight (7). Subs (not used) Chainey, Hackett, Reynolds