Saturday 8th September 2012 // FA Cup First Qualifying Round // Attendance // Report by Ruth Tunnell
On paper Maidstone United’s trip to Chipstead looked to be a difficult tie for The Stones but thanks to the visitor’s best performance of the season, Maidstone’s passage into the next round turned out to comfortable one.
Apart from the opening 20 minutes which was more of a closely contested affair, The Stones were always in total control of this game and not only did the defence keep their second clean sheet in two games but Deren Ibrahim didn’t have a meaningful save to make.
As the first half progressed, Maidstone started to create chances with Shaun Welford and Paul Booth both threatening early on and it was Booth who opened the opening scoring with 25 minutes on the clock. The move was started by Graeme Andrews who sprayed a delightful ball out to the left flank where it picked out Tom Mills who made good progress into the box before pulling the ball back to Booth who side footed a fine finish past the stranded Martin Grant.
It didn’t take long for The Stones to add a second goal as with 36 minutes played, Alex Flisher hurled a long thrown into the box which was met by the leaping Welford who displayed excellent technique to arrow a header goalwards and although Grant got a hand to the ball he could do nothing to prevent it from sailing into the top right hand corner of the net.
Grant then came to Chipstead’s rescue with two saves inside three minutes when he first of all got a vital touch to divert a ball from Welford across goal and then Booth found Flisher who was one on one with the home side keeper but Grant made a good stop with his legs.
Unfortunately for Chipstead though they could do nothing to prevent Maidstone from scoring again ten minutes after the break. This time it was Les Thompson who found himself with only Grant to beat but although his shot was blocked, Booth was well positioned to pick up the rebound and move into space before slotting the ball into the unguarded net.
Shortly afterwards the home side enjoyed a rare foray forwards when Mike Heverin found Russel Bedford who drilled a low shot well wide and then at the other end, with 76 minutes played, Booth missed an ideal opportunity to complete a hat-trick when he volleyed wide when well placed.
However, with twelve minutes remaining Maidstone rounded off a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon when Flisher burst through the Chipstead defence and entered the area before dispatching a confident finish past Grant into the far corner of the net.
Chipstead: -
Maidstone United: Paul Booth 25, 55, Shaun Welford 36, Alex Flisher 78
Chipstead: Martin Grant, George Murphy (Oscar Brooks 45), Bruce Hogg, Matt York, Rob Watkins, Colin Hartburn, Russel Bedford, Adam Fletcher (Ray Freeman 66), Fabin Batchelor (Luke Coleman 34), Mike Heverin, Calam O’Shea. Subs not used: Steve Newman, Mike Eacott, Jason Goodchild.
Maidstone United: Deren Ibrahim, Tommy Osborne, Tom Mills, Steve Ward (Nicky Humphrey 8), Graeme Andrews, Tim Olorunda, Les Thompson, Ben Davisson (Danny Lye 75), Shaun Welford (Ade Olorunda 69), Paul Booth, Alex Flisher. Subs not used: Kaiyne Woolery, Ryan Cooper, Michael Phillips, Charlie Mitten.
