|
Out of Maidstone United’s twenty league defeats this season, this loss to Chelmsford is the hardest one to take.
For 87 minutes, The Stones kept the champions elect at bay and just as it seemed they were going to snatch an unexpected point against the runaway leaders, Dean Palmer managed to stab the ball past Steve Northwood from close range.
This was a cruel blow for Maidstone but The Stones can take a lot of heart from this display and if they continue to perform as well in their remaining six fixtures, they should be playing Ryman Premier League football next season.
The strong wind swirling around Bourne Park certainly helped to reduce the gulf in class between the two sides and the conditions ensured that this game was never going to be a classic encounter.
With just 12 minutes gone, Chelmsford had an opportunity to take the lead when they broke quickly and Ricky Holmes turned past Nick Hegley before lofting a shot goalwards which dropped just wide of the left hand post.
Seven minutes later, Sam Tydeman called for the ball only to make a hash of trying to bring it under control enabling Holmes to find Oliver Berquez and Northwood had to make a good save to turn Berquez’s drive round the post. Then, not for the first time this season, The Stones were caught out by the resultant short corner allowing Spencer Knight to pick out Stuart Ainsley and his effort cannoned off the left hand post.
Ten minutes later, Chris Smalling tried in vain to prevent Knight from crossing the ball but the Chelmsford forward managed to pick out Holmes whose shot was blocked in the six yard box by Aaron Lacy.
Lacy came to the rescue for The Stones once again on 38 minutes when he his dived to put Berquez’s shot behind for a corner and then with the game in stoppage time, Nathan Paul had an opportunity at the other end but his shot curled high and wide of the right hand post.
Seven minutes after the break, Marc Clarey missed his header and Bertie Brayley gained possession but as the Chelmsford striker entered the box, the excellent Smalling slid in to make a last ditch challenge.
It took until the 71 st minute for The Stones to have their first shot on target when Nick Hegley’s drive from the edge of the box was comfortably held by Danny Gay but by now, Maidstone were beginning to look the more threatening side going forwards.
Twelve minutes from time, an Ian Selley free-kick from an acute angle fizzed across the face of goal and then with just five minutes remaining, Maidstone had their best opportunity of the game. The Stones broke out of defence and substitute Mo Takaloo whipped the ball into Hegley who injured himself as he headed the ball into the side netting from a tight angle.
Then just as the Maidstone fans were daring to think that The Stones might gain an unexpected point, Palmer dribbled into the area and pulled the ball back to substitute James Lawson. Lawson’s shot was expertly stopped by Northwood but unfortunately the rebound came back into the six yard box and Palmer fired the ball high into the net.
With The Stones pushing forwards in search of an equaliser, Holmes then had an excellent chance in stoppage time to double Chelmsford’s lead but his casual lob sailed over the crossbar.
< <
< Back to match reports index
|
