Maidstone 12 - T Well 0

After an impressive win last week Maidstone Ladies 1st XI were determined to finish the first half of the season on a high, and they didn’t disappoint the home crowd with a 12-goal thriller against Tunbridge Wells.

Maidstone started strong and kept possession of the ball well. Maidstone's defence, Hannah Durston, Grace Mansfield, Rachael Ferguson and Helena Scott, showed great patience passing around the back and waiting for the right pass to push forward up the pitch. Unfortunately for the first ten minutes the team were frustrated in front of goal, until Laura Jackson pounced on a defender's weak clearance and smashed the ball home with a great strike from the top of the D. Shortly after Stones lost a key player in the midfield when Louise Cassey couldn’t keep pushing through the pain of a knee injury. Some great play from in form Katie Gibbons saw her double the lead for the home side, after a wibbling run through the defence she slotted the ball home. Stones went in at half time 2 goals up, with coach Jeremy Swaffer encouraging the team to pressure the opposition more, and filled with Percy pigs and a slice of orange, the team came out in the second half ready to show Tunbridge Wells why Stones are top of the league.

Stones midfield did just that with Lizzie McClintock, Catherine Broadbent and Louise Fox, passing the ball with such flow, you would think they were reading each other’s minds. This superb display was matched by the forward line and Stones soon found themselves 3-0 up.The goals started to flow into the back of the net from then on, with a mixture of solo efforts and beautiful team play, Claire Weddle snuck 3 past the opposition keeper, and McClintock found herself on the score sheet. With 20 mins to go, Tunbridge Wells managed a few break away attempts at goal, unfortunately for them they were met by Becky Ward, who pulled off some fine saves to clinch her first clean sheet of the season. She was assisted in keeping the ball out of the goal by Grace Mansfield, who stopped a fine shot with her face. Maidstone didn’t let another head injury get to them, and continued the pressure with forward Lesley Price pouncing on a rebound to put the game out of reach for Tunbridge Wells. The home side played patiently and relentlessly throughout the game, never really allowing the opposition any time on the ball. The crowd where treated to 3 more goals from Gibbons and two fine goals from Emily Bush.

Maidstone go into the winter break having scored 55 goals so far this season. With a quick trip to Norwich next weekend for indoor hockey, the team are keen to keep up their great team spirit which is glowing on and off the pitch.

Man of the match
Laura Jackson
Scorers
3 x Hair
4 x Gibbo
Diz
2 xBush
Price
Jackson