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For forty seven minutes of this game, it seemed as if Maidstone’s interest in the FA Trophy was going to be over for another season. But a much improved second half performance saw The Stones put the home side under considerable pressure which finally paid off when Jimmy Strouts and Lynden Rowland scored to give Maidstone a replay on Wednesday night.
With Lee Shearer suspended, Ben Lewis not fully fit and Chris Smalling on England U18 trials, The Stones had to partner Jimmy Strouts with Mario McNish in central defence. In addition, with Errison Ahwan injured and Craig Roser also absent, The Stones were forced to make a total of four changes to the starting line up against Ashford Town and perhaps this was partly the reason for a disjointed first half showing.
It was the home side who had the first opportunity of the afternoon on 16 minutes. Ryan Curtin swung in a corner and Sam Tydeman’s clearance fell to Michael Alexis who passed to Micheas Herbet and he shot wide.
Three minutes later, Nick Hegley played the ball to Andy Martin on the edge of the area who had his back to goal and he turned and fired the ball wide of the left hand post.
Then on 25 minutes, The Stones gifted Abingdon the opening goal. Curtin’s corner from the right hand side went across the penalty area and picked out the unmarked Tom Franklin at the far post and he planted his header past Pat Mullin.
Going behind was the signal for Maidstone to begin pressing forwards and they were unfortunate not to equalise on 30 minutes. First of all, Sam Tydeman saw a low shot from 20 yards turned round the post by Simon Tricker and then from the resultant corner, Nick Hegley’s half volley from a similar distance smacked against the bar.
The last thing that The Stones would have wanted was to fall further behind just two minutes after the break but that is what happened after Jimmy Strouts accidentally flicked on a goal kick into the path of Luke Holden and the Abingdon striker coolly lobbed Mullin.
However, just three minutes later, Strouts made amends when he headed in a cross from Aaron Lacy.
By now, Maidstone were the dominant side and on 53 minutes Strouts had another chance when he scooped the ball wide and then on 61 minutes, Ray Freeman crossed for Luis Cumbers but Cumbers’ header missed the target.
Martin then had a shot well saved by Tricker from close range before The Stones finally grabbed an equaliser on 72 minutes. Once again, Lacy crossed from the right hand side and this time he picked out substitute Lynden Rowland who flicked a header past Tricker from a tight angle.
he last ten minutes saw the home side push forwards in search of a winner and on 83 minutes, it looked as if Abingdon would book their place in the next round when they broke quickly forwards but Mullin made a terrific save to deny Curtin.
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