In the match dubbed El Plastico, Sutton United came out victors as Maidstone in front of their record crowd fluffed their lines.
It now seem certain to just be in the Play-Offs for Maidstone whilst Sutton march on with their 21st League game without defeat & gaining ground on leaders Ebbsfleet.
The game started badly for Maidstone in this crunch game when after two minutes they were a goal down when Dan Wishart on halfway wide on the left avoided a tackle from Callum Driver & ran on towards goal & from 10 yards shot past Lee Worgan.
In the 6th minute it was nearly two when Wishart’s free kick into the area was half cleared to Jamie Collins who from 20 yards saw his shot saved by Worgan & in the very next minute it could have been level when Alex Flisher’s long throw to the back post found Driver & his header from 6 yards came back of the crossbar.
In the 9th minute it was two when Sutton’s forwards closed down the defenders who only knocked it into the area where Craig Eastmond was & his shot from 12 yards flew into the net.
Sutton were in total control with Maidstone giving the ball away all the time, in the 24th minute Wishart 20 yards out tried his luck forcing Worgan to parry it away.
The very next minute Kevin Amakwaah was sent off for pushing Worgan over & this could have helped Maidstone to get back into the game but Sutton seemed to be the team with eleven players & still bossed the game.
In the 29th minute a half chance went Maidstone’s way when another long throw from Flisher was punched clear by Ross Worner but only to Vas Karagiannis whose first time shot flew past the post.
In the 35th minute Craig Dundas on halfway out muscled his way past Driver & ran forward into the area where his shot was saved by Worgan’s legs.
Two minutes later Maidstone had a glorious chance to get a goal back when Karagiannis’s corner to the back post saw Manny Parry three yards out head over the bar when it seemed easier to hit the target & then right on half time another Karagiannis free kick into the area was flicked on forcing Worner to parry it away.
The second half saw Sutton frustrating Maidstone by taking their time & defending deep, Maidstone were still giving the ball away allowing Sutton to counter attack & cause a few scares on the way.
In the 78th minute Karagiannis cross into the area saw Callum Davies head just over the bar & then Maidstone knew it wasn’t to be when in the 83rd minute a cross into the area was half cleared to Dumebi Dumaka whose shot was saved by Worner but strait to Akrofi whose shot came back of the post.
In the 88th minute Maidstone got a consolation goal when Karagiannis on the right wing saw his cross beat everyone including Worner, this should have set up a grandstand finish but with 4 minutes of added on time they did not create any problems to the Sutton defence.
The final whistle went & the Maidstone players trooped off knowing that tonight was a poor display whilst Sutton who were excellent tonight celebrated with their supporters as they get closer to Ebbsfleet.
MAIDSTONE UNITED:
- WORGAN 2. C.DRIVER 3. T.MILLS 4. C.DAVIES 5. M.PARRY 6. J.ROGERS (58) 7. V.KARAGIANNIS 8. D.SWEENEY (72) 9. D.DUMAKA 10. J.PAXMAN 11. A.FLISHER
SUBS USED: 14. A.AKROFI (58) 16. J.MAY (72)
SUBS NOT USED: 12. B-J TAYLOR 15. C.BANYA 17. B.BRIDLE-CARD
BOOKINGS: 9. D.DUMAKA (63) 11. A.FLISHER (72)
SUTTON UNITED:
- WORNER 2. K.AMANKWAAK 3. D.SPENCE 4. L.JOHN 5.C.EASTMOND 6. J.COLLINS 7. T.BOLARINWA (73) 8. B.GOMIS 9. C.DUNDAS (80) 10. N.BAILEY 11. D.WISHART
SUBS USED: 14. D.FITCHETT (73) 16. S.DOWNER (80)
SUBS NOT USED: 12. R.STEARN 15. J.SLABBER 17. D.GERRAR
BOOKINGS: NONE
SENT OFF: 2. K.AMANKWAAH (25)
REFEREE: Mr D.COOK
ASSISTANTS: Mr P.SAUNDERS & Mr M.RYAN
ATTENDANCE: 3,030