| Maidstone
United’s first appearance in the FA Trophy since
1989 proved to be a successful one as The Stones got
back to winning ways with one of their best performances
of the season.
 Right
from the start Maidstone seemed a much more organised
and composed side, no doubt aided by the return of Jimmy
Strouts, Craig Roser and Lynden Rowland to the starting
eleven as Alan Walker commented. He said: “I think
its no coincidence that we performed when we got some
of our men back if you like. Jimmy has come back in
and played a captains performance, Craig Roser was outstanding
and for me the player that gets us going - when he plays
well we play well - Lynden Rowland was magnificent.
And to be fair I think every single player deserves
credit.”
In contrast to the Molesey game, it didn’t take
long for The Stones to carve open the Bury Town defence.
With just 8 minutes gone, Tom Bullard let the ball bounce
in midfield and Sam Tydeman headed the ball to the excellent
Simon Austin. Austin managed to create room for his
shot that was palmed across goal by Carl Goody to Craig
Roser and his fierce drive clipped the post and then
was blocked on the line.
However, on 16 minutes Maidstone did edge in front.
Austin swung in a well-placed corner from the left hand
side that was headed down by Ryan Royston and Jimmy
Strouts poked the ball over the line.
Bury themselves then had a spell of pressure and on
29 minutes they were awarded a free-kick on the edge
of the area. The quick thinking Steven Bugg curled the
ball over the wall but he was denied by Pat Mullin who
made an excellent save by diving full length to his
right to tip the ball round the post.
Then five minutes before half time, The Stones increased
their lead. Austin delivered another precise corner
that was headed towards the six-yard box by Strouts
and Lee Shearer had the simple task of nodding the ball
over the line. Shearer’s good performance and
goal was the all the more remarkable considering he
had been kept awake all night with unpleasant effects
of food poisoning.
Immediately after the break The Stones found themselves
back under pressure as the visitors tried to force their
way back into the game. On 47 minutes, a Town free-kick
was only partially cleared and the ball fell to Craig
Parker whose rising drive was expertly tipped over the
bar by Mullin.
Then only 3 minutes later, Andrew Wood managed to get
in behind the Maidstone defence and he lobbed the on-rushing
Mullin. Unfortunately for Wood his effort came back
off the woodwork and James Tatham drilled the rebound
wide of the far post.
There was little in the way of goalmouth action at
the other end in the second half but Jason Barton and
Nathan Paul in particular, shined for The Stones. Maidstone
did create one notable chance with just 5 minutes remaining
when a quick break saw Sam Tydeman and Rowland combine
to put substitute Nick Hegley through but his shot cleared
the angle of the left hand post and bar.
So the reward for Maidstone is a trip to big-spending
Chelmsford City in the next round. It certainly will
be a difficult tie for City are currently tenth in the
Ryman Premier Division. However, Alan Walker is optimistic
about The Stones’ chances saying: I think that
we looked very strong today. We created a lot of chances
and I think we can be a match for anyone on our day
when everyone is performing as we have got some very
good players. Going to Chelmsford will be a very tough
game but we are definitely not going there to roll over
and die.”
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