Mens 3s v Burnt Ash 4s

Maidstone 3’s faced Burnt Ash 4’s at home on September 23rd 2023. The last two league meetings between these teams were draws (1-1 and 3-3) so anything other than a draw would have been a big surprise to the 400 strong crowd at Armstrong Road that afternoon. This was the first game of the season for both teams, no points after no games played. No wins, draws or losses for either side this season. All to play for.

Maidstone go into this on a high following a very confident 6-5, action packed win against Gore Court (a team 2 leagues above), whilst Burnt Ash were looking to continue their run of form after a 3-1 friendly win against Blackheath & Elthamians.

The home team started the game as they always do….slowly. Maidstone 3’s always have been, and always will be a ‘second half team’ much like Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton & Hove Albion. They faced a 15 man strong Burnt Ash side with just 11 players due to a VERY late appearance from the only sub available.

The 3’s conceded relatively early in the first half from a short corner due to a hospital pass which Burnt Ash quickly capitalised on. Makeshift LB/RB/CDM Angus took a stick to the wrist 5 minutes before half time, subsequently rendering him out of action for the rest of the match and forcing a formation shift which did not suit the remaining bare 11 players.

With no subs and various players out of their regular position, Burnt Ash exploited the lack of structure and penetrated the defence again, 2 well worked goals and one blinder from the top of the D meant Maidstone had a mountain to climb to recover from 4-0.

It wasn’t all negative, Maidstone had plenty of opportunities in and around the D, with Ash, Waller, Logan and Lowe getting into good space but poor choices in the final third led to a 0% conversion rate against a keeper who has played masters hockey. Easy to blame it on external factors, but better decisions, and more clinical short corners could have changed the score line entirely. All things to work on in training as a team.

Surprisingly there were no cards on show, although the game was competitive and there were some hot heads in the 20 degree heat, the game was very well managed by both umpires, and all 22 men stayed on the pitch for once.

Captain Waller spoke with PitcheroNews after the game ‘We wont make excuses for the loss, excuses mean you can’t grow or move forward as a team. Our team chemistry is excellent, everyone gets along well and enjoys playing together, unfortunately we can’t win every week but that’s life’.

Maidstone now look forward to moving on and bouncing back next Saturday, a late pushback at 4pm in Tunbridge Wells.