Stones Match Reports Page

Tunbridge Wells 1

BARTON 81

Maidstone Utd 4

SINDEN 47,52 FRENCH (OG) 67, EDWARDS 74

Kent League
14th August 2002

Maidstone played their first ever away midweek Kent League fixture at the delightfully picturesque Culverden Stadium in Tunbridge Wells on Tuesday evening in front of an excellent crowd of 379. The shirtsleeve crowd were treated to an entertaining match which until half-time could have gone either way.

The home side should have broken the deadlock in the 1st minute of the game. Stones defender Ross Edwards in attempting to shepherd the ball out for a goal kick, allowed the ball to be crossed into the box. The ball fell to Martin Mullins who fired a firm low shot. Keeper Kevin Hudson, who had yet another sound game, reacted by making a good save low to his right.

Stones, who were unchanged following their opening day victory against Cray Wanderers, were shaken by this nervy start and finally began to control the game as they played up the slope in the first period. Richard Sinden, who was a constant threat throughout the 90 minutes, had several chances to open the scoring. In the 13th minute, Steve Butler, attempted to play in Paul Ribbens, who was attempting an overlapping run. The ball did not find it's intended target but Sinden got onto the end of the errant pass and forced Wells' keeper Neil French to make a brave save at his feet.

Impressive close season signing Ryan Hackett then forced French to dive and save a 20 yard drive. Shortly afterwards, Hackett's corner was headed down into the ground by the other new signing, Pedro Knight. Amazingly, from only 5 yards out, the ball bounced up and over the crossbar. Stones continued to attack without luck and in the 27th minute, Wells' defender Andy Boyle was booked for scything down Sinden on the edge of the box. It was during this period of play that ex-Stone John Mayall showed why he is regarded amongst the better defenders in the Kent League. He completed a series of interceptions and tackles that kept the reds in the game.

The visitors were reminded of the fact that the home side were still an attacking threat, when in the 33rd minute, defender Jason Barton made a great cross. Mullins made the header but the ball flew across the face of the goal. With stoppage time being played at the end of the half, Sinden had a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock. Faced with a one on one situation with French, the striker struck his shot wide of the right hand upright.

The second half began with Maidstone flying out of the blocks. Jim Ward's half time talk must have been strong, as within 7 minutes the score was 2-0. In fact, the Stones could and should, have scored more in this spell. Goal number one came from a terrific piece of terrier like midfield work by Jamie Kempster. He robbed Barton of the ball, made into the box and crossed hard and low for Sinden to nudge home at the far post from 2 yards out.

Kempster repeated his surging run 5 minutes later, this time getting the better of Mayall. His low cross was on this occasion met at the near post by Sinden with the same result for 2-0. The large contingent of Stones fans in the crowd roared their approval as their team started to take total control of the game. 3 minutes later, Kempster again broke clear and pulled the ball back to Butler. Somehow, from 2 yards out and with an open goal, his shot was cleared from the line by a desperate lunge from Scott Wilkins. Maidstone were starting to become profligate with their finishing and within a minute, Kempster himself had blazed over from 10 yards when it appeared as if it were easier to score.

A 20 yard drive from Neil Davey flew fractionally wide from a 66th minute Butler free kick but one minute later, the score was 3-0. Barry Jeffreys sent a corner in from the right which was met by Hackett. His header was cleared from the goal line but the loose ball was punched straight into the top corner of his own net by French from 3 yards out.

Maidstone immediately brought on triallist Billy Taylor, who has recently been released by Millwall, for Hackett and it was the new man's long free kick that led to the visitors' 4th goal of the night, Ross Edwards climbing unchallenged to head powerfully home from 10 yards.

Stones eased off the pressure slightly with the game apparently won and were met with some stubborn resistance from Tunbridge Wells. Mullins produced a fine 20 yard drive that forced a good diving save from Hudson in goal, resulting in a corner. The corner was subsequently headed away from goal but only to the feet of full back Barton, who drove home a low shot from the edge of the box to make the score 4-1. The Wells kept on fighting until the final whistle but the Stones defence remained resolute. The final scoreline of 4-1 being a fair reflection of the balance of play.

Maidstone: Hudson (7), Kempster (8) (Chainey 77), Ribbens (7), Hackett (7) (Taylor 67), Coatham (7) (Foley 77), Edwards (7), Knight (7), Butler (7), Sinden (8), Davey (7), Jeffreys (6). Subs Not Used : Marshall, Reynolds

Tunbridge Wells: French, Wilkins (McGahon 69), Barton, Hatcher, Mayall, Boyle (Tichner 69), Balmer, Perkins, Gibbons, Clark (Knell 63), Mullins.