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An important week in terms of
the promotion race in the Kent League has turned into
one of disappointment for Maidstone United.
After failing to beat Erith Town
and VCD Athletic, The Stones went into the game against
second placed Beckenham Town knowing that only a victory
would keep the fight for top spot in their control.
But after missing a host of chances, Maidstone could
only draw with Town and they now have to hope that they
can take full advantage should Beckenham drop points
in the remaining games.
The game was largely a tight and edgy affair with both
sides desperate not to lose. However, The Stones created
the best chance early on when Lynden Rowland burst into
the box, despite the attention of Tony Sinclair, and
shot across goal but Rob Tolfrey managed divert the
ball away.
Then with 22 minutes played, an Aaron Lacy throw was
met by Ryan Royston whose header was goal bound only
for Sinclair to block the effort on the line.
It was The Stones who emerged from the break looking
the more confident of the sides and they quickly put
Beckenham under pressure. With 55 minutes gone, Jason
Barton picked out the unmarked Jimmy Strouts at the
far post but The Stones’ captain wasted the opportunity,
putting his header the wrong side of Tolfrey’s
post. Just a minute later, Nathan Paul was guilty of
a bad miss when he was presented with the ball just
inside the box but his effort was eventually no where
near the target.
Perhaps some what predictably, Maidstone were made
to pay for these misses when with 58 minutes played,
Ellis Green hit a low shot from the edge of the area
which some how squirmed past Pat Mullin at his near
post.
Going a goal behind had a detrimental effect on The
Stones as they temporarily lost their shape and momentum
but with 64 minutes played, Lloyd Hume introduced Leory
Huggins for Mo Takaloo in what was to prove an important
substitution.
With just 12 minutes remaining, Jimmy Strouts’
lob in midfield was knocked on by Mario Celare into
the path of Huggins. The former Tonbridge Angels striker
showed no nerves on his debut as he entered the box
and slotted a low finish past Tolfrey much to the delight
of the majority of the 573 crowd.
Buoyed by the goal, The Stones pushed forwards in search
of a winner. With 82 minutes played, Rowland sent the
ball out wide to Craig Roser who scampered towards the
by-line before pulling the ball back into the path of
Huggins who dragged his shot wide.
Maidstone then got caught on the break late on as substitute
Daniel Morris crossed for Paul Vines but Beckenham’s
leading striker put his header just a whisker over the
bar.
As the game entered stoppage time it looked as if The
Stones were going to snatch a last gasp winner against
Town once again. First, Lee Sperring looked to have
beaten Tolfrey from a tight angle but as Rowland, who
has been magnificent all season for Maidstone, tried
to ensure the ball went in, he unfortunately sent the
ball spinning away from goal. Then right at the death,
Rowland sent a drive goalwards only for Tolfrey to pull
off a tremendous, and perhaps ultimately crucial and
decisive, save with his legs.
The Stones now have to try and obtain maximum points
from their remaining five fixtures and hope that they
can some how over take Beckenham’s goal difference
or that Town drop points. It’s a frustrating situation
for Maidstone who just a couple of weeks ago looked
to be firmly in control at the top of the table.
Lloyd Hume however, believes that Maidstone are still
in with a shout of becoming Kent League Champions once
again and he said: “ I would bet almost anything
that Beckenham will drop points before the end of the
season and there is still the realistic chance that
we could but I don’t think that that will the case.
If they win it they will win it on their own merit but
I still firmly believe that we will go on and win the
league. “
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