Wednesday 11th January 2012 // Ryman League Division One // Attendance 273 // Report by Ruth Tunnell.
For the first time this season The Stones were held to a goalless draw as they went some way to making amends for the thrashing they had suffered away at Worthing just before Christmas.
The first half was action packed and with seven minutes played, Maidstone had their first opportunity of the evening when they made good progression down the left and Shaun Welford laid the ball into the path of Alex Waugh who thumped a strong drive wide.
Shortly afterwards, a floating ball forwards from Tom Mills picked out Waugh who shot on the turn only for Alan Mansfield in the Worthing goal to make a diving save.
After a bright start, The Stones started to let Worthing into the game and the visitors then enjoyed a good period of pressure. On 12 minutes the ball came to Tom Lawley inside a crowded penalty area and Daren Hawkes used his legs to block the shot.
Then with 17 minutes on the clock, Steve Davies chased an apparent lost cause down the right hand side and managed to pull the ball back into the box. Despite Maidstone having defenders back, the ball came to Lawley and The Stones had Tommy Osborne to thank for clearing the ball off the line.
Worthing continued to press and Hawkes was called into action to turn John Lansdale’s free-kick around the post before he made an excellent save to tip Glen Woodburn’s goal bound looping header over the bar.
Maidstone managed to weather the visitor’s storm and it was then The Stones’ turn to enjoy some pressure towards the end of the first half. On 31 minutes a long throw from Flisher came to Waugh inside the box and his overhead shot was just off target.
Moments later, Welford slipped the ball into Waugh who twisted and turned inside the area in an attempt to shake off the Worthing defender and he did make space for the shot but Mansfield did well to parry his effort.
Then with 36 minutes gone, Maidstone took a short corner which saw Ellis Green dribble the ball towards the edge of the area and Michael Phillips arrived to unleash a rising drive which flew over the bar.
During the half The Stones had been frustrated on occasions by the linesman’s raised flag and as the game moved towards the break Welford clearly ran from in front of the Worthing defence to find himself in on goal only to be thwarted by what appeared to be incorrect offside decision.
With four minutes remaining before half time, Lawley got into a good position inside the box and his shot was blocked by a combination of Hawkes and Danny Lye and then at the other end, Welford headed the ball into the path of Flisher whose drive looked to be heading in until Mansfield turned the ball around the post.
The second half was a contrast to the first forty five minutes with both sides conceding possession too readily and chances were at a premium. With the game approaching full time, Worthing searched for a winner and on 83 minutes Lawley seemed to go to ground rather easily and he won a free-kick which Lansdale put just over the bar.
Shortly afterwards, Hawkes made a save to deny substitute Mike Huckett and then Worthing gifted Welford the ball inside the area but the Maidstone striker could not take advantage of the situation.
With the game becoming increasingly fractious, which was probably a consequence of some of the decisions from the referee, Mr Yeo, the final chance of the match fell to the visitors when Phillips could not cut out the run of Lawley who raced into the box but he drove the ball wide of the right hand post.
Maidstone United: -
Worthing: -
Maidstone United: Daren Hawkes, Tommy Osborne, Tom Mills, Sam Groombridge, Graeme Andrews, Danny Lye, Ellis Green (Baff Addae 74), Michael Phillips, Shaun Welford, Alex Waugh (Sam Bewick 53), Alex Flisher. Subs not used: Rob Lyall, Ash Greenwood, Marc Powell.
Worthing: Alan Mansfield, Matt Piper, Steve Metcalfe, Paul Kennett, Matt Hurley, Glen Woodburn, John Lansdale, Luke Gedling (Tom Manton 56), Steve Davies (Mike Huckett 74), Darren Budd, Tom Lawley. Subs not used: Shaun Charles, Mark Pulling, Josh Clark.
