Maidstone United’s reserve side comfortably saw off Chatham Town to register their first victory of the season.
A first half hat trick from Jordan Hill and a goal from Charlie Smith put the Stones 4-0 up at half time, and although the Medway side got two second half goals, the win was rounded off by by 16-year-old Sam Norton in the 87th minute.
Maidstone took the lead with just five minutes played when right winger Jack Simon’s cross evaded the Chatham ‘keeper, leaving Hill to nod home into an empty net.
Six minutes later Hill doubled his goal count and his side’s lead, charging down a Chatham defender and finishing well from twenty yards.
Maidstone goalkeeper Jamie Kelly was then called into action for the first time, twice smothering the ball as the Chats broke past the home defence.
Ryan Croucher then went close after some delightful skill and a one-two with Smith, however it was to be that man Hill who made it three, converting a penalty after he was fouled inside the box.
It was a deserved hat trick for the Soccer Elite scholar, who dictated first half proceedings from his position behind striker Charlie Smith.
And it was the former Stones under 18 player Smith who added a fourth on the precipices of half time, hammering his low free kick past a Chatham goalkeeper who perhaps should have done better.
The second half saw the Stones take their foot off the gas considerably, and although Croucher and Brett Ince both went close, Chatham pulled a goal back in the 68th minute.
The Chats then grabbed another consolation on 85 minutes, however any hopes of a glorious late fightback were soon extinguished by substitute Norton, who was pounced on a through ball before confidently slotting past the opposition goalkeeper.
Maidstone United (4-2-3-1): Jamie Kelly; Matt Mills, Jason Hollick (c), Jordan Anderson, Joe Reeves; Jay Saunders, Ryan Croucher (Ash Greenwood 66); Jack Simon (Tom Cackett 75), Jordan Hill (Sam Norton 65), Brett Ince; Charlie Smith. Unused substitutes: Zach Foster-Crouch (GK), Barney Abbott
Maidstone United Goalscorers: Jordan Hill 5, 11, 42 (pen), Charlie Smith 45, Sam Norton 87
