The fat lady has stepped away from the microphone;
Following the Stones emphatic victory over Deal Town
and VCD Athletic’s defeat against Herne Bay she
may not be needed after all, for the Stones promotion
hopes have been well and truly revived.
Playing into a stiff breeze the Stones struggled to
find their rhythm during the first half, yet found themselves
3-0 in front at half time. Elliot Bradbrook volleyed
the Stones into the lead in the 8th minute but Deal
dominated the next twenty with their best two chances
of the night coming inside the first fifteen minutes.
Firstly, Bathgate’s header in the 12th minute
dipped just over the bar and then three minutes later
Bigginton headed over whilst in a good position and
unmarked.
Deal’s possession was largely ineffective though,
and slowly the Stones spluttered into life. With 21
minutes gone, Kedwell put Sinden clear on goal but his
touch was poor and as he knocked the ball out of his
reach the Deal defender clattered him. The referee ignored
the claims for a penalty but in the 36th minute the
Stones were awarded one when McCabe showed a tremendous
burst of pace into the box and was shoved over. Sinden
made no mistake, blasting the ball into the roof of
the net.
Just three minutes later, the Stones went further ahead
courtesy of another penalty. This time Bradbrook raced
into the box, nutmegged the defender and was thanked
by having his legs taken from under him. The referee
booked James Marriot and Sinden sent the ball low into
the bottom right hand corner.
The Stones were perhaps a little fortunate to have
such a comfortable lead at the break but in the second
forty-five minutes they pinned Deal inside their own
half and it seemed inevitable they would increase their
lead. Kedwell nearly did just that with a fantastic
strike from outside the area in the 54th minute. Deal’s
keeper Jason Hughes could only parry but Ross Edwards
was offside as he bundled the ball across the line.
Edwards could have had at least a hatrick in the second
half. Three minutes later he saw his free kick tipped
over by Hughes and then his free header just cleared
the bar. He came even closer in the 68th minute when
another header from a corner thumped against the crossbar
and Davis saw his rebound header fall into Hughes’
arms. Edwards was not to be denied however, and whilst
sprinting back into position following the corner he
heard Watkins’ shout to turn around. He turned,
found the ball at his feet, spotted the keeper off his
line and launched a lob towards goal. The ball seemed
to follow a firework - like trajectory and as it finally
started to come down the realisation began to dawn on
Hughes that the ball was goal bound. He furiously back
- pedalled but could do nothing and the ball plopped
inch perfectly into the net. It was a superb, yet slightly
bizarre, goal from Edwards.
The Stones were not content with the score line however,
and pressed forward at every opportunity. Some good
build up play involving Rowland, who had replaced Austin
and Griffen, on for Kedwell, was finished by McCabe
whose shot was deflected. The change of direction threw
Hughes who was already diving for the ball yet he showed
amazing reflexes to throw his leg at the ball and get
enough contact to divert the shot over the bar.
Rowland and Griffen were again involved in a neat move
with full time looming. Lacy’s throw was touched
on by Rowland to Griffen and he played a magnificent
through-ball to send Sinden racing towards goal. With
a hat trick in mind Sinden chipped the on rushing Hughes
to cap a good evening for the Stones.
After the game the Stone’s manager Mal Watkins
once again urged caution saying he didn’t believe
the opposition were five goals worse than Maidstone.
He didn’t think the Stones had played well in
the first half but one or two individual’s inspiration
had given them a three-goal lead. He gave his players
a rollicking at half time and thought the Stones have
got to work harder and be much sharper. On a positive
note he singled out Bradbrook and McCabe as being head
and shoulders above the other players on the pitch and
praised Sinden for getting a hat trick.
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