Saturday 17th September 2011 // FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round // Report by Ruth Tunnell
Maidstone United once again put on an impressive goal scoring show in the FA Cup as they hit nine goals for the second round in a row.
The Stones could have made double figures in this match and Banstead will be grateful for some excellent goal keeping from Colin Harris until he was sent off shortly before half time, for keeping the goal tally down.
One of the pleasing aspects of this match was that all four of Maidstone’s strikers got on the score sheet with the impressive Baff Addae and Shaun Welford both grabbing hat-tricks and it took Addae just nine minutes to open the scoring when The Stones laid siege to the Banstead goal and Addae planted the ball inside the left hand post.
Six minutes later, Ellis Green slipped the ball into Welford inside the box but Harris made a good save and then seconds later, Harris made another excellent block to deny Welford once again.
However, on 17 minutes Welford put Addae in on goal who looked to be in an offside position but no flag was forthcoming and Addae confidently rounded Harris before dispatching the ball into the net.
Three minutes later, Addae got in down the left hand side and despite being one goal away from a hat-trick he unselfishly passed to Welford who scored from a tight angle.
Alex Flisher and Sam Bewick both then had chances to score before Flisher was involved again on 28 minutes when he got in on goal only for Harris to make another good save close to his right post.
Maidstone then began to back off allowing Banstead to start to push forwards and Dorian Smith curled the ball over the bar after The Stones’ defence had been slow to get back before Smith found Michael Uwezu on 31 minutes and Uwezu placed a nice finish past Charlie Mitten.
But it took just four minutes for the visitors to score again when Green drove the ball across the box and Welford lashed a finish into the net from close range.
Banstead’s bad afternoon took a turn for the worse on 42 minutes when Harris denied Welford a goal scoring opportunity and brought the striker down inside the area leaving the referee, Mr Wallace, with no option but to send the goal keeper off. The home side brought substitute keeper Dave Tidy on and his first job was to pick Addae’s penalty out of the net as the Maidstone striker completed his hat-trick.
After a lengthy delay following Harris’ dismissal, there were four minutes of first half stoppage time during which Tidy was called into action to make a fine save to deny Welford.
Maidstone continued to press after the break and Addae saw a shot fly across the face of goal on 48 minutes before The Stones added a fifth on 51 minutes. An excellent curling ball from Tom Mills found Addae who advanced towards the edge of the area and his shot came back off the right hand post to Welford who smashed home the rebound to complete his hat-trick.
Four minutes later, Addae turned provider again when this time he gave the ball to Flisher who ran into the box and he sent a fine finish past the stranded Tidy.
Jay Saunders then brought off Addae and Welford for James Pinnock and Alex Waugh and it did not take Pinnock long to get on the score sheet as with 63 minutes played he hit a sublime shot from the edge of the area which curled into the net.
The rout was then complete on 65 minutes when this time Green pulled the ball back to Waugh who scored from close range.
With 70 minutes played, defender Nick Reeves had a goal ruled out for offside and then at the other end, Bentley Graham went close with a drive from the edge of the area.
Substitute Aaron Gough then stopped Maidstone reaching double figures when he cleared a shot off the line from Green on 75 minutes and then six minutes later, Tidy made a good save with his legs to deny Pinnock and this was to be the last time that The Stones threatened as the game petered out.
Banstead Althletic: Michael Uwezu 31
Maidstone United: Baff Addae 9, 17, 45 (pen), Shaun Welford 20, 35, 51, Alex Flisher 55, James Pinnock 63, Alex Waugh 65.
Banstead Athletic: Colin Harris, Lee Hall, Michael Johnson (Matt Newman 65), Bradley Duke, Martin Dunne (Dave Tidy 44), Bentley Graham, Adam Cheadle, Dorian Smith (Aaron Gough 60), Jamie Lawrence, Paul Hunt, Michael Uwezu. Subs not used: Marcus Slimone, Anthony Sanderson, Piyaroe Maguire, Tom Jelley.
Maidstone United: Charlie Mitten, Tommy Osbourne, Tom Mills, Nick Reeves, Graeme Andrews, Danny Lye (Jay Saunders 77), Ellis Green, Sam Bewick, Shaun Welford (James Pinnock 52), Baff Addae (Alex Waugh 61), Alex Flisher. Subs not used: Jay Saunders, James Pinnock, Karl Knight, James Abraham, Jimmy Humphris, Alex Waugh, Peter Gill.
