|
For 87 minutes of this game, everything seemed to going reasonably well for The Stones. A strong performance had seen them take the lead and despite conceding an equaliser from the penalty spot, it looked as though Maidstone were going to gain a hard earned point at the second placed side in the division. But then Staines showed with devastating effect why they have now not lost for eleven games and have won six out of their last seven matches with two goals inside the last two minutes to snatch the victory.
This was Maidstone's best performance for a number of weeks and despite having to absorb some concerted pressure from the home side in second half, The Stones were a match for their high-flying opponents until the final moments.
Indeed, there was little to separate the two sides in the first half with neither keeper particularly tested. On 13 minutes, Scott Thomas dragged a shot wide from 25 yards and then two minutes later, Andre Scarlett struck a free-kick through the Maidstone wall into the arms of Steve Northwood.
The Stones' first attempt on goal came shortly after when Lloyd Blackman lobbed the ball over the bar before a Roland Edge effort from distance bounced out for a goal kick.
But the deadlock was almost broken on 39 minutes when Edge upended Howard Newton inside the D of the area and Leory Griffths' free-kick smacked the top of the bar and flew over.
Two minutes after the break, James Pinnock tested Louis Wells in the Staines goal with a low shot from 25 yards before Peter Hawkins made an excellent challenge to deny Richard Butler as he surged towards goal.
Then on 52 minutes Maidstone took the lead. Aaron Lacy and Meshach Nugent exchanged possession and Lacy sent a cross over to the far side of the box which was headed down by Lloyd Blackman. James Pinnock won the ball and he expertly turned into space before curling a delightful finish past the stranded Wells.
Staines responded strongly to falling behind and began to pile pressure on The Stones defence. On the hour, a quickly taken free-kick caught Maidstone cold and Gareth Risbridger just failed to make contact with an inviting low ball which flew across the six yard box.
Six minutes later, Butler turned past Ben Lewis and rounded Steve Northwood who had raced from his goal line to the edge of the area but under pressure from Jay Saunders, Butler wasted the opportunity and planted the ball wide. And just seconds later, a fierce effort from Andre Scarlett whistled past the left hand post.
But with fifteen minutes remaining, Staines' pressure finally told when Hawkins hauled Butler back inside the area and Dave Sargent confidently converted the penalty at the second attempt after the referee, Mr Johnson, had interrupted the first effort following encroachment of Stones players into the box.
Having drawn level, the home side continued to pour forwards. On 81 minutes, Howard Newton was allowed time to chip the ball into Butler who shot wide and three minutes from time, Northwood made a good save to turn away Risbridger's shot from the near post.
Unfortunately for The Stones though, Northwood was to be beaten just a minute later when substitute Marc Charles-Smith crossed for Butler who headed the ball into the roof of the net.
Then with the game in stoppage time, Maidstone were caught on the break and Howard Newton took advantage of a slip from Lewis to round off a good comeback from Staines with a well taken goal.
<
< < Back to match reports index
|
