| Maidstone United enjoyed their trip to Leatherhead as they collected their second 3-0 win inside five days.
Although Leatherhead were clearly suffering from a FA Cup hangover this was an excellent performance from The Stones as they never let The Tanners seriously threaten Pat Mullin's goal.
Unfortunately though, Maidstone will soon have to do without the services of Mario McNish for The Stones defender was dismissed at the end of the game following a scuffle in the Maidstone area.
The first half could hardly be described as an exciting affair and it took until the 27th minute for the first meaningful attempt on goal. Simon Austin and Craig Roser battled well to win the ball down the left hand side and when the ball broke free it fell to Alex Tiesse who turned and shot into the side netting.
Then with 38 minutes gone the game finally sparked into life. A deep Aaron Lacy corner was headed goalwards by Errison Ahwan and just as his header was about to enter the net, Leatherhead's Steve Sargent stuck his hand out to block the effort. Sargent was dismissed and Austin converted the penalty, sending the ball high into the top left hand corner of the net.
Then just on half time, Austin nearly doubled The Stones' lead but his header was headed off the line by Iain Hendry.
The start of the second half continued in a similar vein. With 46 minutes played, Sam Tydeman slipped the ball to Tiesse who cut inside and fired the ball across goal but Austin couldn't force the ball past Chris Gibson.
However, on 57 minutes Maidstone finally scored their second goal. Pat Mullin's goal kick was flicked on by Tydeman to Tiesse who played in Hegley. Hegley's excellent low cross was heading towards the unmarked Austin until the unfortunate Hendry turned the ball into his own net.
The home side were having little joy getting in behind the well organised Stones defence until Mario McNish's intended back pass fell short leaving Marc Charles-Smith and Dave Stevens bearing down on Mullin but The Stones keeper did enough to see the ball out.
Tiesse then forced Gibson into a good save with his legs with 74 minutes gone but Tiesse was to have more luck just two minutes later. Substitute Kane Rice picked up a long diagonal ball from Errison Ahwan and passed to Tiesse who managed to trick his way past Hendry before guiding a low finish beyond Gibson.
<
< < Back to match reports index
|