Scorers
Stones:Barnes
10, Rowland 41
Burgess
Hill :Hall-Pike 89
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Line-ups
Stones:
P.Mullin, N.Paul, C.Roser, L.Watts, M.McNish, K.Rice,
S.Tydeman, N.Barnes, L.Huggins, L.Rowland, N.Hegley.
Subs: J.Barton, S.Austin, A.Lacy, M.Takaloo, M.Czanner.
Burgess
Hill :A.Foster, T.Edmaonds, P.Hinshelwood, N.Fogden,
G.Matten, N.Watts, S.Grice, O.Hill, K.Budge, A.Jarvis,
J.Bye. Subs: J.Hall-Pike, L.Cotton, L.Gedling, K.Joyce,
C.Lamont.
POST MATCH INTERVIEW
Lloyd
Hume (1.8Mb)
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| The Stones
coasted through to the 1st Qualifying Round of the FA
Cup (sponsored by E.on) with a comfortable victory ove
fellow Ryman League Division 1 South side Burgess Hill
Town. Maidstone gave a debut to new signing Lew Watts,
a centre back from Tonbridge Angels and welcomed back
full back Craig Roser from his very brief "retirement."
Added to the return of Sam Tydeman in midfileld and
the slelection of Leroy Huggins ahead of leading goal
scorer Mo Takaloo and The Stones looked arguably stronger
than they have done at any previous time this season.
Before 10 minutes had gone, Hillians keeper Andre Foster
had made three good saves to keep his side in the game.
A low shot from Nick Barnes was saved low down by Foster
before the very mobile Leroy Huggins flicked a throw
in towards the back post to Nick Hegley. The wide man
had two efforts on goal with Foster saving the first
before the rebound was tucked wide of the upright.
Within 60 seconds Huggins had lifted a high ball forward
to Sam Tydeman and he attempted to lob Foster from 30
yards out but the keeper showed great agility to dive
and tip the ball away from his goal.
The early pressure finally told when Barnes opened the
scoring in the 10th minute with a 20 yard shot that
wasn't struck particularly cleanly. However, Foster
somewhat surprisingly failed to stop the shot.
The Stones were barely worried by any attacking forays
from the visitors and on 29 minutes, full back Nathan
Paul ventured forward with the ball. He beat two opponents
and threw in an elaborate step over before firing a
powerful 20 yard shot with his weaker left foot past
Foster but against the inside of the post.
The wind was deceptively strong a shortish goal kick
was headed directly forward by Hegley after 41 minutes.
Lynden Rowland sprinted through the static defence and
lofted the ball over Foster in The Hillians goal from
30 yards to see the ball dip under the crossbar and
nestle in the back of the net.
With a comfortable cushion, Maidstone were fairly relaxed
in the second half and the visitors had little to offer
in reply. Just after the hour mark, it should have been
3-0 when Hegley and Huggins combined well to send the
former through on goal. Hegley struck a 16 yard volley
goalwards but Foster pulled off a fine save to keep
his side in the game.
With 15 minutes remaining, Kevin Budge forced a great
save from Pat Mullin in the Maidstone goal. A corner
was not cleared and Budge powered a header at goal.
Mullin dived full length across his goal to scoop the
ball away. Despite appeals from the visitors the officials
ruled that the ball had not crossed the line.
Burgess Hill continued to look for a way back into the
game and finally they were gifted a consolation goal
in the 89th minute. Yet another failed clearance from
The Stones defence resulted in Mullin fumbling the ball
on his line and allowing Jordon Hall-Pike to stab home
from a yard out. Inevitably, the resultant stoppage
time was more nervy than it should have been for the
home side but The Stones held on to secure an away trip
to Ashford Town (Middx) in the next round on 16th September.
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