Maidstone 4-2 Gore Court

When visiting Sittingbourne prior to the turn of the year, MHC were made to regret squandering a lead and missing good goal-scoring opportunities. Such complacency has rarely appeared at home throughout the season and particularly during the second half of fixtures. The Stones, ever-bolstered by a good home record, understood that a fixture where play and tempo was controlled by them for the majority, was to put them in good favour for three points.

The visitors arrived in ME15 level on points with the Stones – albeit, Maidstone have a game in hand to be played later this month (vs. Cliftonville on Thursday 28th March [away]). Fourth vs Fifth – game on.

Dean Wheeler described the first half as a ‘tornado,’ such was MHC’s blistering dominance. This said, despite a strong start the Stones failed to capitalise on early chances – including an opportunity to score with the first play of the game before the visitors had had any stick on ball.

The opener was scored in classical MHC fashion. Will Day worked the baseline before offering Rob Clarkson the opportunity to stab home from a matter of yards. This was the first of a strong twenty minute spell where the Stones struck home four.

The second goal came from some fine interchange in midfield that involved Cam Knight and Ben Stott. It was the latter who ushered the ball toward Chris Howson who slapped at goal with success. 2-0.

With the return of Matt Emery to fitness, the M1’s have had the additional outlet of a chuck from the back. He was heavily involved in the third MHC goal. He directed his lengthy throw to the right wing and found the racing Will Day. Day and Clarkson exchanged with one another. The latter then offered a reverse at goal which was deflected cleverly by Day.

The final goal of the tornado was Chris Howson’s second of the day. Having been in the wars at previous short corners, Howson plucked up the courage to direct at goal again. His drag flick proved too strong for the five-man team in the Gore Court goal.

Maidstone failed to continue their fine first half performance but remained professional enough in the second to see the game through. The visitors scored two consolations in the second half. Their first was the result of MHC failing to clear appropriately in their own D. The second followed a broken down Stones short where Gore Court countered excellently and exploited their overload with efficiency.

The 4-2 win means MHC sit fourth in the league with 3 games to play.