Scorers
Whyteleafe:
Robert Smith 8, Sean Rivers 41
Stones:
Ryan Royston 45, 52
Line-ups
Whyteleafe:
Danny Coote, Carlo Castrechino, Luke Basford,
Ali Reeve, Danny Arkwright, Danny Boxall, Callum Maclean,
Robert Smith, Sean Rivers (Ryan Rummery 70), Danny Platel
(Chris O'Flaherty 79), Michael Riley (Ellis Conroy 81).
Subs not used: Joe Clark, Oliver Barrett.
Stones:
Pat Mullin, Nathan Paul, Craig Roser, Errison Ahwan,
Mario McNish, Ryan Royston, Sam Tydeman, Aaron Lacy,
Mo Takaloo (Alex Tiesse 66), Lynden Rowland (Simon Austin
81) Nick Hegley (Lee Shearer 70). Subs not used: Jason
Barton, Michal Czanner.
Postmatch interview with Alan Walker
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Maidstone United's stuttering run of form continues
as once again they failed to register back to back league
wins since the games against Dartford and Molesey at
the start of March.
Having fallen two goals behind to Whyteleafe the fact
that Maidstone came back to earn a point will be seen
positively but the overall performance and lack of spark
up front will surely be concerning The Stones' management
duo.
As always, it was important for United to start well
but just like against Chatham, they found themselves
trailing after only four minutes when Michael Riley
crossed for Robert Smith to head past Pat Mullin. Then
on six minutes, the home side were awarded a free-kick
right on the edge of the Maidstone box which Luke Basford
curled just over the bar.
It could have got worse for The Stones with only ten
minutes played when Mario McNish appeared to handle
in the box but no penalty was forthcoming as Whyteleafe
put Maidstone under pressure. With the home side hassling
The Stones and making it difficult for them to get into
any rhythm, it took a while for Maidstone to create
a goal scoring opportunity. However, on nineteen minutes
a neat move saw Danny Arkwright first block Mo Takaloo's
shot before denying Lynden Rowland at the far post.
On forty minutes, Whyteleafe doubled their lead when
they took full advantage of McNish's failure to make
a clearance and they worked the ball into the box for
Sean Rivers to side foot in at the left hand post. With
The Stones failing to create any goal scoring chances
from open play, the only time they looked like pulling
a goal back was from corners or Aaron Lacy's throws.
And it was as a result of a Lacy free-kick that Craig
Roser came close to scoring his first goal of the season
with a header but Danny Coote did well to tip the ball
over the bar.
However, on the stroke of half time Maidstone did nick
a vital goal when Lacy's throw picked out the unmarked
Ryan Royston who headed in from close range.
Unsurprisingly, The Stones came out after half time
desperate to draw level and on fifty two minutes, Roser's
initial shot from Lacy's throw was blocked and Royston
smashed in his second goal of the game.
The hard and dusty pitch that made it difficult to predict
the bounce of the ball contributed to a dull second
half and despite enjoying the greater share of possession,
The Stones didn't actually look like stealing a win
until stoppage time.
Two minutes of additional time had been played when
Lacy's throw into the box was flicked on by substitute
Alex Tiesse to Errison Ahwan but his shot at the near
post was scrambled away by Coote. Then with ninety four
minutes on the clock, Tydeman's free-kick into the box
came out to Royston and his goal bound volley was saved
by Coote's chest just as it looked as if the ball was
going to creep in at the left hand post.
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