Maidstone Ladies 1s 3 - Crostyx Ladies 1s 3

Maidstone travelled to the Olympic Park to take on a Crostyx team who had held them to a 1-1 draw in the last meeting. Maidstone started the match strong, passing the ball around well and applying pressure to the home team’s defence. The Crostyx forward line was also pressing high on Maidstone’s 16s, giving Maidstone little room to get the ball out of defence. However, once Maidstone made it past their press they were able to attack with pace down the right wing and a ball hit into the D by forward Lesley Price was pounced on by Emily Bush on the back post to put Maidstone in the lead.

This did not deter Crostyx and they bounced back with a goal from a short corner that was so very nearly saved by defence combo Hannah Durston & Becky Ward on the left post, unfortunately making it 1-1. Maidstone did not give up and continued to put pressure on and won back a short corner after a foot in the D. Lizzie McClintock’s top D strike met Claire Weddle on the back post who managed to put the ball away and give Maidstone the lead again, 1-2. Maidstone now on the up, created more opportunities from some lovely short passing, eventually finding Emily Bush again in the D who converted the attack into a much valued third goal. Half time finished 1-3.

Second half, Crostyx managed to secure a bit more of the possession and one attack saw them able to run the ball through the middle of the Maidstone defence, into the D, and reverse hit the ball into the bottom corner of the goal. This caught Maidstone off guard with their two goal cushion now fallen to just one. Crostyx continued to apply the pressure and created a couple of close chances. Unfortunately, with Maidstone allowing Crostyx far too much time and space on the ball, the home side capitalised on the opportunities allowed, eventually making the score line back even at 3-3. With only a few minutes left, Maidstone desperately tried to get that winning goal and with one close shot just wide of the post, Maidstone were unable to convert and finished the game 3-3.
Maidstone look to get back to winning ways against Blueharts next week in their final home match of the season.