Maidstone United are off the foot of the Ryman Premier League table as goals from Nick Hegley and loan signing Luis Cumbers gave them an vital win over fellow strugglers Tonbridge Angels.
This was a vastly improved performance from The Stones as right from the outset the side looked to have a better balance and were much more organised than of late. At the back, Mario McNish and Lee Shearer were outstanding and the defence as a whole were more assured which provided the basis for Maidstone’s second win of the season.
Importantly, it was The Stones who took the lead on eight minutes. Pat Mullin’s goal kick came to Nathan Paul on the right and he swung a fabulous diagonal ball out to Nick Hegley on the left wing. Hegley entered the box and cut inside Scott Gooding before lashing the ball into the top right hand corner.
The Angels then had a half chance to equalise when Richard Harris’ low ball into the box was met by the sliding Ryan Martin but the ball went wide of the left hand post.
Then sixty seconds later, Andy Martin played the ball out to Hegley and Martin raced into the box to meet Hegley’s cross but his looping header cleared the bar.
At half time, Errison Ahwan was replaced by Luis Cumbers as Martin dropped back into midfield and the loan signing from Gillingham nearly made an explosive impact as within seconds of the restart he latched onto a through ball from Paul and Reed made a great save to tip his shot over the bar.
From the resultant corner, Martin played a short ball to Paul and he swung in a cross towards Lynden Rowland who had an age to choose where to place the ball but unfortunately he headed over.
Then seconds later, Darren Smith crossed for Rowland once more and his shot was blocked by Ray Powell who then fell over and appeared to handle the ball as he lay on top of it but the referee Mr John O’Brien did not award a penalty.
On 78 minutes, The Angels had a great opportunity to equalise when Hamid Barr put Jon Main in on goal but his weak shot was gathered by Pat Mullin.
However, Maidstone were not so fortunate five minutes later as when a loose ball popped out to Main on the edge of the area, his shot through a crowded box took a deflection and went in at the near post.
Having been the dominant side in the game this was
a blow for The Stones but they responded immediately
and two minutes later they snatched a dramatic winner.
Maidstone were awarded a free kick on the right which
was taken by Martin and he picked out McNish who dug
the ball out from under his feet and smacked the ball
goalwards. The Angels keeper Reed made a fantastic save
but he could only parry the ball and Cumbers reacted
quickly to smash the ball in from close range to mark
a memorable debut.
PHOTOS FROM STEVE TERRELL
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