Saturday 25th August 2012 // Ryman One South // Attendance 938 // Report by Ruth Tunnell
Maidstone United are through to face Chipstead in the next round of the FA Cup as they overcame Colliers Wood United of the Combined Counties League Premier Division.
Despite the scoreline this was not the most polished performance from The Stones as at times they looked vulnerable at the back and they will be grateful that the visitors failed to take the excellent chance that came their way early in the second half with the game delicately poised at one goal a piece.
There were a number of attempts on goal early on and with just two minutes played, Michael Phillips saw his shot held by Colliers Wood United goalkeeper Daniel Burnatt and then seconds later, Ben Davisson drilled a corner to the near post where it was met by Nicky Humphrey whose header flew wide.
It was then the visitor’s turn to threaten as Cornell McKoy’s cross was allowed to come across the area to Nathan Turner who dragged his shot wide before Tim Olorunda connected with Ryan Cooper’s cross but he could not direct his header on target.
Then with 10 minutes gone, The Stones defence once again went to sleep and they seemed to stand and watch as the ball came across the box to the unmarked Mario Embalo who had the simple task of side footing the ball past the exposed Deren Ibrahim.
It didn’t take long for Maidstone to equalise though as six minutes later, Davisson drove over another corner from the right and Ade Olorunda made a great run across the box and thumped a header into the net.
Humphrey then headed the ball over the stand and Tom Mills drove a low shot wide of the right hand post before The Stones went close to adding a second with the game in first half stoppage time when Davisson shot from just inside the box and Burnatt made a good save to claw the ball away from goal.
Nine minutes after the break, there was a pivotal moment in the game when Colliers Wood United missed a golden opportunity to take the lead. The chance came about when Embalo brushed off Humphrey as he ran down the right and he squared the ball into the box where it reached the unmarked Turner who rushed his shot and fortunately for The Stones he put the ball wide of the left hand post.
Shortly afterwards the visitors were made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal as Maidstone edged in front. Kaiyne Woolery played the ball down the right to Ryan Cooper who pulled the ball into the box where it was met by Davisson and Paul Booth reacted quickly to score his third goal of the season.
There was then another nervous moment for The Stones at the back when a long ball forwards caused problems as Graeme Andrews tried to head the ball to Ibrahim and Turner nipped in between the Maidstone defender and keeper but Ibrahim managed to make an important block.
This was to be the last time that the visitors threatened though and with 66 minutes on the clock, Maidstone added a third when a free-kick into the box by Davisson was not cleared by the Colliers Wood United defence and with Burnatt drawn from goal, Woolery kept calm and placed a header into the unguarded net.
Then with fourteen minutes remaining, The Stones added some gloss to the scoreline when Booth passed the ball out wide to Woolery on the right and he drove over a good low ball which was met by the sliding substitute Shaun Welford who registered his second goal in as many games.
Maidstone United: Ade Olorunda 16, Paul Booth 57, Kaiyne Woolery 66, Shaun Welford 76.
Colliers Wood United: Mario Embalo 10.
Maidstone United: Deren Ibrahim, Ryan Cooper, Tom Mills, Nicky Humphrey, Graeme Andrews, Tim Olorunda, (Danny Lye 70), Ben Davisson, Michael Phillips (Jay Saunders 77), Ade Olorunda (Shaun Welford 57), Paul Booth, Kaiyne Woolery, Subs not used: Tommy Osborne, Ian Draycott, Alex Flisher, Charlie Mitten.
Colliers Wood United: Daniel Burnatt, Dre Grobler, Ryan Olvar, Samuel Mead (Scott Lawson 12), James Cant, Philip Frodsham, Cornell McKoy (Elija Ogunseye 71), Ryan Hughes, Daniel Hughes, Nathan Turner (Neil John 28), Mario Embalo. Sub not used: Daryl Swaby.
Come on Jay sort that defence out!!!