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Maidstone United are the Kent
League Champions and can look forward to promotion as
the season ended in dramatic style.
The Stones needed to get all three
points from their final game away at Sevenoaks and hope
that Beckenham didn’t win at Erith and Belverdere
and that is exactly what happened as Town could only
draw and Maidstone won comfortably to snatch the title
by just two points.
It was difficult to concentrate on the events at Greatness
Park, especially as the second half wore on with Erith
and Belverdere and Beckenham locked at one a piece.
But by that stage, The Stones had done all they could
as they eased into a 2-0 lead without playing particularly
well.
It took just six minutes for Maidstone to settle the
nerves to a certain extent when Nick Hegley collected
the ball out on the left hand side, cut into the middle
and delivered a great ball across the area for Lynden
Rowland to slam high into the net from close range.
Mario Celaire then headed over on 11 minutes before
Nathan Paul fed golden boot winner Mo Takaloo and he
forced John-Paul Green to make a good save, tipping
his effort around the left hand post. Takaloo then wasted
a chance with 32 minutes gone when he could only find
the side netting from Sam Tydeman’s pass.
Unfortunately, The Stones then lost Tydeman to injury
with 39 minutes played but with half time approaching,
Maidstone put the game out of Sevenoaks’ reach
when Hegley’s persistence paid off and he crossed
for Takaloo to head past Green.
Early in the second half, news came through that Erith
and Belevedere had taken the lead only for Beckenham
to equalise swiftly. With the tension amongst The Stones
supporters beginning to rise, fortunately the team were
keeping their composure and creating plenty of chances.
Rowland saw two efforts clear the bar and then on 72
minutes, an Aaron Lacy corner led to Jimmy Strouts being
fouled in the area by Mike Cox. Takaloo, keen to add
to his mammoth goal tally for the season assumed responsibility
but ballooned his shot into the bank behind the goal.
Green then pulled off a double save to first deny substitute
Lee Sperring and then Takaloo but he was powerless to
prevent Ryan Royston driving the ball home from the
edge of the area with just two minutes remaining.
There was still time for Royston to add a 4th in stoppage
time but by now, most people were concentrating on events
at Park View Road. As the whistle blew in The Stones’
match there was a slight delay and then a huge roar
as the section behind the goal heard that Beckenham
had failed to beat Erith and Belverdere. Maidstone fans
flooded the pitch in delight sparking fantastic scenes
as The Stones finally celebrated winning the Kent League
and promotion to the next level.
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