After a superb performance on Saturday against Bromley, The Stones returned to Hayes Lane to face tenants Cray Wanderers and somewhat predictably failed to hit the heights of their previous display.

This was a poor game of football which was not helped by a strong swirling wind but Cray will be grateful that they have finally registered their first home win which came courtesy of a mistake by reserve goalkeeper Richard Knell.

Just two minutes had been played when Nick Barnes whipped in a corner which Jack Smelt struggled to deal with but eventually the Cray keeper got the ball clear.

Then on three minutes, Colin Luckett saw a free-kick go wide of the right hand post before Jamie Wood whipped in a cross and Delano Yorke failed to hit the target with his glancing header.

At the other end, Shannon O’Donnovan saw a fierce effort saved by Smelt’s chest before the home side were gifted the lead on 28 minutes. Luckett delivered a corner from the Cray right and Knell should have cleared the danger but unfortunately he pushed the ball into his own net.

The Stones immediately responded to falling behind as sixty seconds later, a good run from Jermaine Darlington ended with the Maidstone defender just shooting wide.

The second half was equally drab and The Stones only had one effort on goal which came on 66 minutes when Barnes’ corner caused a goalmouth scramble and it had appeared that the ball was handled on the line by Jerone Maledon but no penalty was forthcoming. Cray then swiftly broke up field and Delano Yorke cut inside Darlington only to lift the ball over the bar from a good position.

Despite The Stones playing with four up front for the last twenty minutes they failed to trouble Smelt and it was the home side who came closest to scoring again when three minutes from time Tommy Tyne went past Jay Saunders and slipped the ball into George Porter but Knell made a good block.

Cray Wanderers: Colin Luckett 28

Maidstone United: -

Cray Wanderers: Jack Smelt, Aaron Day, Colin Luckett, Jerone Maledon, Mark Willy, John Guest, Rob Quinn, Tommy Tyne, Delano Yorke (Shane Graham 74) , George Porter, Jamie Wood. Subs not used: Lewis Wood, Tyronne Sterling (Tyrone Sterling 84). Subs not used: Davindar Singh, Lewis Wood, Ross Lover.

Maidstone United: Richard Knell, Nathan Paul, Jermaine Darlington, Shannon O’Donnovan (Lynden Rowland 68), Peter Hawkins, Tom Parkinson, Ant Bodle (Gabriel Odunaike 68), Jay Saunders, James Pinnock, Danny Hockton, Nick Barnes. Subs Not Used: Keelan Mooney, Steve Elliott.

Alan Walker

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