If there was ever a justification for having a 3G pitch, Maidstone United proved the value of having one on Saturday afternoon.
With the raining pouring down shortly before kick off and throughout the entire game at the Gallagher Stadium, most pitches wouldn’t have withstood the volume of water that came down.
However, the artificial surface more than held its own with Charlton Athletic’s Championship game with Doncaster Rovers called off with the pitch deemed unplayable.
As for the game, the Stones showed that the step up into the Ryman Premier League isn’t a step too far as they more than easily held their own in the goalless draw with Lewes, maintaining their unbeaten start to the season.
Had it been for some finer finishing from both sides and without the heroics of Stones keeper Lee Worgan, the game could easily have seen a more entertaining scoreline.
Not put off by the torrential rain, over 1,600 fans packed into the well appointed stadium to see the two sides go head to head with Frannie Collin showing once again what a talent he is in non league.
On another day he could have added to his tally of four league goals for the season, but it wasn’t to be his or Maidstone’s day.
The experienced Paul Booth battled on alongside him for the majority of the game as the pair carved out chances from nowhere with Lewes’ keeper taking a more phsyical approach to dealing with Collin at corners.
Chances came and went at either end, but in the end the Stones fans went home the more disappointed not to have seen their side win.
They won’t have to wait long though for another taste of Ryman League action though with the Stones heading to Margate on Bank Holiday Monday.
Maidstone United line up: Lee Worgan, Richard Davies, Tom Mills, Steve Watt, Jerrome Sobers Michael Phillips, Orlando Smith, Alex Brown, Paul Booth (Ian Draycott 76), Frannie Collin, Alex Flisher.
Subs Not Used: Danny Lye, Graeme Andrews, Rory Hill, Fabio Saraiva.
Lewes line up: Rikki Banks, Sam Crabb, Sam Gore, Jay Lovett, Ben Austin, Matt Crabb, Steve Binkhurst, Jack Dixon, Ade Olorunda (Nathan Crabb 79), Ross Treleaven, Fraser Logan (Jacob Peake 90).
Subs not used: Ryan Fergany, Kelvin Brown, Jon Dollery.
Attendance: 1659