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Maidstone United’s pre-season campaign is nearly at an end and this time they suffered a narrow defeat to Conference side Grays Athletic.
After this match it will surely be the visitor’s fans that will be the most concerned about their side’s chances for the coming season as Grays did not look like a team occupying a place in the top division of the Non League game and only a mistake from Jamie Turner gifted them the victory.
There was some good news for The Stones though as Meshach Nugent made a substitute appearance after missing the whole of pre-season through injury and Nugent looked particularly lively during his short spell in the second half.
It was the visitors who threatened first as on 12 minutes Grays worked the ball across the pitch to Richie Graham who shot wide of the left hand post but it wasn’t until sixteen minutes later that Maidstone had their first attempt on goal when Ashley Dann’s shot on the turn was comfortably blocked by Preston Edwards in the Grays goal.
However, the deadlock was broken on 33 minutes when Jamie Turner conceded possession on the edge of the box and Graham had the simple task of controlling the ball and then rolling it into the unguarded net.
Six minutes later, The Stones went close when Nick Barnes chipped a free-kick towards the back post and James Peacock’s header looped just over the bar but Maidstone didn’t threaten again until the 67 th minute when Nathan Paul set up James Pinnock who saw a decent drive just miss the goal.
Substitute Meshach Nugent then went on a surging run but dragged his shot well wide before Grays should have scored their second goal of the evening when Sam Long tricked his way into the box but with only Turner to beat, his shot was weak and the ball rebounded off Turner’s legs to safety.
Then four minutes from time, The Stones had an excellent chance to grab a late equaliser when a lovely weighted ball from Stubbs put Nugent in on goal but Edwards stayed on his feet and managed to block Nugent’s shot.
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Maidstone United: -
Grays Athletic: Richie Graham 33
Maidstone United: Jamie Turner, Nathan Paul (Dan Stubbs 69), Ashley Ulph, James Peacock, Peter Hawkins, Tom Parkinson, Roland Edge (Alan Pouton 69), Jay Saunders, James Pinnock (Meshach Nugent 69), Ashley Dann (Jimmy Bottle 45), Nick Barnes (Sam Morrison 69). Sub not used: Lloyd Hume.
Grays Athletic First Half: Preston Edwards, Kenny Davis, Craig Braham-Barrett, Paolo Vernazza (Tommy Black 30),Carn Mawer, Gavin Hoyte, Serge Makofo, Sam Cutler, Lee McEvilly, Richie Graham, Shelly Rigilioso. Subs not used: Colin Miles, Charlie Taylor, Peggy Lecando, Bill Crowther, Danny Charge, Sam Long, David Bryan, Bill Lumley.
Lloyd Hume
Starts 15 August
Pictures from Steve Terrell
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