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Margate and Maidstone United kicked off their respective 2002/2003 seasons at Hartsdown Park after the shortest of end of season breaks, with an entertaining pre-season friendly on a beautiful summer afternoon. A crowd of around 140 saw Kent League strength Stones control the majority of play against a young Margate reserve side. Stones gave debuts to new signing Pedro Knight from Slade Green and left sided midfielder Aaron Lacey from Lordswood. The first incident of note came in the 18th minute, when Steve Marshall found himself one on one with Gate keeper Sean Roberts. Marshall’s touch was a little heavy and allowed Roberts to gather the ball. Unfortunately, Marshall continued his committed charge at the ball and caught Roberts very heavily. In a league match, Marshall would undoubtedly have seen a yellow card or possibly worse for his challenge. The 5 minute stoppage for the injury saw Roberts replaced and taken to hospital for checks. He confirmed after the game that his injuries were a broken little finger and mild concussion. The first goal of the season for Maidstone arrived in the 28th minute from a corner. Barry Jeffreys sent in a typical left footed inswinging corner, which the goalkeeper misjudged. Ross Edwards was able to nod the ball back across goal and Steve Marshall rifled home from 4 yards out. 6 minutes later the home side levelled with their first meaningful effort on goal. Steve Afflick’s mis-hit from 8 yards out ran across goal for Wayne Vaughan to rifle home giving keeper Dan Johnson no chance. The sides were only level for 2 minutes as Stones pushed on to score the best goal of the game. Jeffreys played a free kick on the left hand side of the box to Marshall who moved the ball to Steve Butler. Butler’s return pass saw Marshall line up a 20 yarder, which he curled beautifully into the net with his right boot. In the time added on for Roberts’ injury, Gate levelled the scores through Steve Afflick, who shot home from 12 yards. Half time saw a myriad of substitutions with the Stones sending on Tony Reynolds in place of Johnson in goal, Russell Wilson replacing Jeffreys, Keith Evans for Jamie Kempster and Richard "Chunky" Chainey on for Paul Ribbens. It was, of all the substitutes, Chainey who had the greatest impact on the game. In the 58th minute he broke forward from midfield and after a swift interchange of passes he struck firmly home from 18 yards with his right foot. Adam Hewitson and Mark Smith came on as Jim Ward made more changes and within 3 minutes Stones were 4-2 up. Russell Wilson moved the ball to Chunky Chainey, who in turn passed to Marshall. A return pass found Chainey running on and he finished coolly from 12 yards. Dave Scott replaced Paul Foley for the last half hour, which in effect was nothing more than a sparring contest. The strongest impressions made by the new boys came from Aaron Lacey who worked hard up and down the left flank in a wing back style role, Pedro Knight, who seemed to have an age on the ball and made some lovely neat touches with both feet and of course, the double goalscorer Chainey, who held up the ball well and made some incisive runs from the midfield into the all important danger areas. Stones: Johnson, Kempster, Ribbens, Foley, Edwards, Lacey, Jeffreys, Butler, Sinden, Marshall, Knight. Subs: Scott, Wilson, Hewitson, Evans, Smith, Chainey, Reynolds (all used) Match Reporter: Darren Lovell
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