Maidstone 4 - Old loughts 1

Maidstone Ladies 1st XI opened their season campaign against an Old Loughts side who were also looking for promotion back into the Premier league next season. It was a somewhat shakey opening five for the home side but the team soon settled and began to string together some good pieces of play from the back through into the midfield. A good spell of possession resulted in an attacking short corner to Maidstone. Although the original routine was unsuccessful, Maidstone were able to capitalise on a poor clearance with Emily Bush feeding in Louise Cassey for a wonderful reverse stick strike to make it 1-0. The pressure was by no means off and the Maidstone defence had to keep calm following some speedy attacks from the visitors. Defenders Rachael Ferguson, Alex Penry and Hannah Durston put in some excellent tackles to win the ball back for Maidstone. Cool play around the back and tireless running from the midfield line, especially Louise Fox, kept Maidstone on top. A determined drive from Laura Jackson into the Old Loughts defensive half enabled Claire Weddle to slot home Maidstone’s second of the day. Maidstone put themselves 3-0 up before half time with a Lizzie McClintock drive setting up an unmarked Lesley Price.

Maidstone went into the second half feeling positive but knowing the match was by no means won. The forward line continued to work hard off the ball and Katie Gibbons & Claire Weddle’s smart runs added a good few more goal scoring opportunities to the talley. One such saw Lizzie McClintock dink the ball over an Old Loughts stick and drive the right hand baseline and Player of the Match Claire Weddle’s well timed run met the cut back ball which was then driven into the backboard, 4-0. Some tired legs and minds did appear towards the end of the match, enabling Old Loughts more of the ball and some dangerous breakaways. Unluckily for the home side, Old Loughts were awarded a penalty corner on the final whistle, leaving the Maidstone defence against 10. The corner was well worked and the ball was slipped to the right and struck at a difficult height into the corner of the goal and the match finished 4-1. Although disappointed to lose the clean sheet, Maidstone will look back positively on the performance, especially that of the first half.
Maidstone look forward to building on the performance as they take on Colchester L1s away next week.