Maidstone United continued their good start to the season
with an exciting 3-2 victory over Fleet Town.
Town, however, would probably feel they should have
had at least a share of the points after playing some
good fast football and creating a number of chances.
In fact, Fleet had much the better of a drab first
half. With 12 minutes played The Stones defence allowed
William Salmon to run at them and he found Philip John
but his long range effort didn't threaten Michael Czanner's
goal.
Then on 31 minutes, Aaron Lacy failed to clear the
ball with a simple header and the chance fell to Jermaine
Hamilton whose low shot just went past the left hand
post.
Salmon was involved again two minutes later when he
swung an excellent ball out to the left hand side to
James Field. Field managed to cut inside and beat Nathan
Paul before firing a curling effort over the bar.
But the best chance of the half fell to the visitors
7 minutes before the interval. A Stones attack was snuffed
out and Fleet quickly hit the ball forward to Michael
Douglas. Ryan Royston dived in for the tackle but missed
the ball leaving Douglas with plenty of time to take
the ball into the area but he elected to shoot early
and drove the ball over.
However, Fleet did finally edge in front just 4 minutes
after the break. A quick passing move ended with John
hitting a low hard shot that took a slight deflection
off Royston and left Czanner totally flat footed as
it went in inside the near post.
For a while Maidstone were struggling to get back in
the game but suddenly they found themselves in front
with two goals inside 3 minutes which brought the game
to life. On 65 minutes Kane Rice's throw picked out
Nick Hegley who did well to turn past three defenders
to pull the ball back into the box. Jason Barton managed
to get a shot on goal and Takaloo diverted the ball
past Gray.
Only moments later, The Stones were in front. Jimmy
Strouts was clattered 30 yards from goal in a central
position as he attempted a brave header and Takaloo
curled an excellently taken quick free-kick into the
net.
But within 2 minutes, Fleet blew a great chance to
equalise when Czanner saved a penalty. Kane Rice was
adjudged to have shoved Douglas and John stepped up
to take the kick. His effort looked to be heading in
the bottom left hand corner but a tremendous full length
save from Czanner denied the Fleet striker.
Then with 10 minutes remaining, Fleet did draw level.
Jason Barton missed the ball in midfield and the ball
came into Douglas who side footed his shot past Czanner.
However, Maidstone weren't finished yet and straight
from the kick off Takaloo slipped a great ball into
Rowland who ran into the box and slotted the ball under
Gray.
The remaining minutes were nervy for The Stones, especially
when substitute Eddie Gray hit the bar with an overhead
kick, but Maidstone held on for a second successive
victory.
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