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After a disjointed performance against Harrow Borough, Maidstone United needed to get off to a good start in their Kent derby against Dartford but unfortunately The Stones misfired once again and allowed the visitors to race into a two goal lead with just 22 minutes played.
There after, The Stones were always up against it and as they chased the game, all too often they by-passed the midfield as they looked to get their strikers in at every opportunity. But Dartford’s back line were well marshalled and it wasn’t until three minutes from time that Maidstone finally began to look dangerous as nerves threatened to engulf The Darts defence.
It was the visitors who were much the better side early on and there was a warning for Maidstone within seconds of the beginning of the game when Ray Powell picked up the ball in midfield and surged forwards. With The Stones defence static, Powell lashed his shot goalwards only for it to strike the right hand post and go wide.
Buoyed by a strong start, Dartford pinned Maidstone in their own half for long periods and it came as no surprise when the visitors broke the deadlock on 17 minutes. A short corner from Brendon Cass caught the Maidstone defence cold and as they struggled to react, Steve Butterworth smashed the ball into the net from the left hand corner of the area.
Four minutes later, Maidstone had their first opportunity of the evening when a looping header from Meshach Nugent was headed away from the six yard area but then on 22 minutes, Dartford doubled their lead. Elliot Bradbrook had an opportunity to bring the ball clear but he squandered possession and Cass found Ryan Hayes down the right. Hayes took the ball to the by-line and sent over a cross for Rob Haworth who finished off a fine move with a strong header into the net.
The Stones began to improve after this and on 29 minutes, they pulled themselves back into the game when a Bradbrook corner was headed across the box by Lewis and Ian Cox turned and fired the ball past Andrew Young in the Dartford goal.
Then eleven minutes before the break, the visitors had an opportunity to extend their advantage when Maidstone could not clear the ball from a corner and Lee Noble was allowed to trick his way to the edge of the box before finding Andy Walker’s hands with a weak effort.
Nugent then had a shot on the bounce held by Young before he headed over a good cross from debutant Seb Schoburgh and then a low ball across the box from Bradbrook on 41 minutes missed the far post.
Just as the game turned past the hour mark, The Darts should have scored again after Butterworth left Nathan Paul on the floor and pulled the ball back to Haworth but the Dartford striker tried to pass the ball into the net and Walker blocked the shot on the line with his feet.
Haworth then had a header drop just past the post on 70 minutes but it wasn’t until three minutes from time that Maidstone finally started to threaten the Dartford goal when a series of corners nearly paid dividends as Roland Edge had a half volley at the far post pushed wide by Young.
Then with the game deep in stoppage time, John Guest conceded another corner which was swung in by Ian Selley but Bradbrook’s tame header was comfortably held by the Dartford keeper.
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