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When The Stones clinched the Ryman League One title at Walton Casuals in April few would have thought that it would be six months before Maidstone would win a competitive fixture on their travels. However, after suffering six consecutive away league defeats, goals from Luis Cumbers and Lee Shearer finally gave The Stones their first victory on the road in the Ryman Premier League.
Right from the outset it was clear there was to be no repeat of the drubbing Maidstone had suffered at Ashford in the FA Cup a year ago. With just 11 minutes played, Nathan Paul drilled a cross into the six yard box and Cumbers was on hand to lash in his sixth goal for the club.
Three minutes later, Cumbers should have added to his tally when he was put in on goal but with just Craig Ross to beat he unselfishly tried to square the ball to Paul and the chance was cleared for a corner.
As the half progressed, Ashford began to come into the game more and on 33 minutes, they were presented with an opportunity when Lee Shearer’s clearance fell to Scott Todd but the Ashford striker’s shot went well wide.
Then on 36 minutes, Maidstone doubled their lead. Rob Owen was fouled on the right hand side 30 yards from goal and Errison Ahwan whipped in a precise free-kick which was headed into the net by the unmarked Shearer.
The goal galvanized The Stones and they could have gone in at the break four goals in front. Just a minute after the lead was doubled, Cumbers released Paul who charged into the box and was unfortunate to see his shot go across goal and just miss the far post. Then with the half time whistle immanent, Nick Hegley showed good skill to win the ball in the area and chip a cross up to Andy Martin only for Martin’s header to be excellently saved at point blank range by Ross.
Maidstone were less impressive after the break but for a large period of the second half they were not troubled by Ashford. The home side’s chances of getting back into the game suffered a blow on 57 minutes when Scott Harris was dismissed for a lunge on Mario McNish. Then three minutes later Martin passed to Hegley and his shot trickled agonisingly wide of the left hand post.
Martin was involved again on 70 minutes when he received the ball with his back to goal and he managed to spin and shoot goalwards but Ross pushed his effort away for a corner. The Stones then lost Ahwan to what appeared to be a hamstring injury and he was replaced by Aaron Lacy who was making his 200 th appearance for The Stones.
On 81 minutes there was a shock for The Stones as Ashford pulled a goal back when substitute Jon Palmer was allowed time to curl a delightful finish past Pat Mullin from the right hand corner of the penalty area.
nsurprisingly, the home side began to up the pressure
and the remaining minutes were a nervy affair for the
traveling supporters. The worst moment came on 89 minutes
when the majority of Ashford players were camped in
the Maidstone area following a corner and the ball fell
to substitute Warren Harris but his shot through the
crowd was well spotted by Mullin and he dived to his
right to make a vital save.
PHOTOS FROM STEVE TERRELL
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