| Maidstone
United are still searching for their first league win
since the 9th September after they conceded two soft
goals to be held to a draw in an exciting game away
at Horsham YMCA.
However, this was a game that Horsham will surely be
delighted to gain a point from for The Stones controlled
the match and really should have come away with all
three points.
Right from the outset Maidstone looked the stronger
side and on 13 minutes a good move saw Simon Austin
and Nick Hegley combine well around the edge of the
penalty area only for Hegley’s side footed effort
to clear the far post.
Then just a minute later, Maidstone saw the first of
many decisions go against them when it appeared that
Lynden Rowland was clearly pushed in the back when he
tried to get on the end of a Nathan Paul cross but no
penalty was forthcoming.
But against the run of play, Horsham YMCA took the
lead on 18 minutes. Dean Carden lofted a good delivery
from a free-kick into the box and the Maidstone defence
stood and watched as Scott Kirkwood planted an unopposed
header past Pat Mullin.
Two minutes later, the YM’s had an excellent
chance to double their lead from another Carden cross
but Matt Russell’s weak shot was easily stopped
by Mullin and they were made to regret this miss when
in the 22nd minute, Maidstone equalised. Nick Hegley
was fouled in midfield and from the free-kick Jason
Barton’s cross was headed down into the ground
and in off the underside of the bar by Mario McNish.
However, as half time approached, McNish was fortunate
to stay on the field following his reaction to a late
challenge and then just the other side of the break,
Maidstone conceded a poor goal. Despite being given
instructions at half time to be tighter defensively,
The Stones allowed Kirkwood to play in Russell who drew
Mullin to the near post and shot across goal only for
the ball to strike both of Royston’s feet and
trickle over the line.
The Stones immediately pushed Horsham back and on 54
minutes, Jason Barton’s volley went close following
a neat move involving McNish, Austin and Rowland. And
Austin was involved again four minutes later when he
was allowed to dribble into the box and shoot but his
effort came back off the post.
McNish then shinned a good opportunity wide following
an Austin corner but Maidstone’s pressure finally
forced a breakthrough on 69 minutes. Following a succession
of corners, Austin’s delivery into the box was
headed back into the middle by Lee Shearer and Royston
couldn’t miss with a header from a couple of yards.
Maidstone surged forwards in search of a winner and
substitute Kane Rice went close with a long range effort
but the visitors had a couple of scares as Kirkwood
headed substitute Mike Wood’s cross wide and Mullin
had to be alert to block Wood’s shot just moments
later.
Still The Stones pressed the YM’s back in their
own half at every opportunity and with the game in stoppage
time it looked as if Rowland’s header was going
to win it for Maidstone but Glen Woodburn managed to
block the ball on the line.
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