Two goals from Mo Takaloo got the festive celebrations for Stones fans off to the best possible start as Maidstone came from behind to snatch a win at Horsham.
The home side had been so completely dominant in the first half that when Nigel Brake put Horsham in front just after the break, it seemed unlikely that Maidstone would get their third league away win of the season. However, Takaloo made the most of the two opportunities that were presented to him to give The Stones their first win since they came from behind to beat Margate last month.
Lloyd Hume was delighted with his side afterwards saying: “We weathered the storm in the first half as Horsham play good football and they pass it around well. But we know that they don’t always penetrate teams and that as long as you know and stick to your jobs and know who you are marking they sometimes find it hard to break down teams. I said to the lads at half time, if they can understand their jobs a little bit better in the second half we will go on to win the game.”
Horsham’s attractive attacking football caused Maidstone numerous problems and on 17 minutes Lewis Taylor’s rising shot from the edge of the area just cleared the cross bar. Taylor was giving Craig Roser a torturous time down Horsham’s right hand side and on 23 minutes, he went past Roser once again and pulled the ball back to Jacob Mingle who arrived late and he fired the ball into Steve Northwood’s arms.
The Stones were struggling to clear the ball as Horsham pushed forward and on 26 minutes, it was Nigel Brake’s turn to go close as his drive skimmed over the top of the bar.
On 28 minutes, The Stones had only their second attempt on goal when Ray Freeman picked up the ball on the edge of the box and created room for the shot which was comfortably held by Paul Seuke in the Horsham goal.
Having been under pressure for the majority of game, Maidstone must have been relieved to have gone in at half time with the scores level but just minutes after the interval, Horsham finally got the break through that they had been threatening when Brake scored with a low shot into the left hand corner of the net from 18 yards.
Eleven minutes later, The Hornets should have made the game safe when Taylor was allowed to waltz across the box but when faced with just Northwood to beat, he screwed his shot wide.
Horsham were quickly made to regret this wasteful finishing when on 59 minutes, Aaron Lacy sent a corner into the box which came to substitute Alex Tiesse. Tiesse’s shot through a crowd of players was only parried by Seuke and Mo Takaloo pounced to ram the ball in from close range.
The equaliser seemed to inspire Maidstone with confidence and all of a sudden, Horsham began to look short of ideas going forwards. On 61 minutes, Tiesse won the ball down the right hand side and he twisted into the box before shooting at Leuke and at the other end, ten minutes later, Taylor crossed for Stuart Myall and his looping header dropped over the cross bar.
Then with just nine minutes remaining, a long throw from Aaron Lacy drew Seuke from his goal and with the Horsham keeper stranded, the ball dropped to Takaloo who steered his shot into an unguarded net.
Two minutes later, Northwood ensured that The Stones stayed in front with an impressive instinctive save to push Lee Farrell’s effort onto the post and despite intense pressure from the home side for the remainder of the game, Maidstone held on to record a valuable victory.
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