Maidstone United progressed to the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Youth Cup with a relatively comfortable 2-0 win over a stylish Corinthian side, who rarely troubled Maidstone’s goalkeeper Will Godmon.
Seven minutes was the key to the match; with Ashley Long’s strike seven minutes into the game being added to by Charley Robertson’s composed finish with seven minutes remaining. In between, Maidstone had their chances to put the result beyond doubt, but the Stones’ manager Jack Parkinson was grateful for the second goal to kill the game off. He told me after the game “it was pleasing in that we defended quite well and they didn’t really have an attempt on target in the 90 minutes. It shows we’re solid at the back.”
“They are not a bad side, they play football the right way, knocking it about. It took us a while to get into the game, but even the boys who’ve experienced this (the FA Youth Cup) before were a bit on edge. The club, the owners, Terry and Bill, have done us proud with the way they’ve been pushing this game, and the first-team manager is here as well. A crowd of 230 plus would be outstanding in a Ryman South game, so there was bound to be a few nerves. They want to impress, and you’ve got to remember they are all 16 or 17 years of age. Once we settled down I thought we dictated the game, but felt we needed that second goal.”
“In a way it’s disappointing that Jack Sullivan couldn’t play tonight, but he’s pushing the first team squad now, playing in front of over two thousand on Saturday, and there are four or five others getting that experience. Lee (Pleau) and Dan (Parkinson) both played for Leatherhead last Saturday; Ross Bassan has been on loan there as well. Jack, DJ (Dan Johnson), Charley and Regan Payne have all been around the Maidstone squad. That’s what this is about. As much as we want to win things in the youth team, no-one will really remember that in 5-6 years time. We want to develop boys who will be playing in Ryman, Conference or even League football, and I think it shows in the quality we have here.”
Both sides started the game looking to play the ball around on the 3-G surface, but it was Maidstone who capitalised on the first half chance of the match. Charley Robertson’s inswinging corner was headed further up than out and fell to Josh Algar on the edge of the box. Algar sweetly struck a left foot volley that crashed back off the right hand post, straight to Ashley Long who was first to react to steer the ball back into the net.
Ross Bassan curled a shot wide after Algar had thrown the Corinthian defence with a step-over, but despite good passing through midfield, neither side was threatening in the final third. This was a story that would repeat throughout the night as too many players tried to overplay when they should have been looking for supporting team-mates. In fact Corinthian’s only real chance of the half came via route one. A long straight freekick from Marcus Evans was misjudged by Lee Pleau, which seemed to put off Harry Hagan, who had slipped in behind the defence, and the defender could only glance a header wide with the goal at his mercy.
Robertson created the final chance of the first half, teasing Joe Brown and Evans inside the area before dinking a ball to the back post, where Liam King could only direct his header into the side netting. Early in the second half, Robertson exchanged quick passes with Dom Lelliott but both players had shots that could also only find the side netting.
Godmon, a virtual spectator, only had one moment of concern in the second half, as he appeared to misjudge Jordan Campbell’s cross that dropped onto the roof of the net. But his opposite number, Taylor Gable, was called into action to save from King, who had made his chance harder with a poor first touch, and replacement Regan Payne, with his first involvement in the match. Gable then drew applause from the crowd, dribbling out of his area, beating two Maidstone forwards in the process, but was quickly back in his net to save from Robertson, as his clearance was headed back to the Stones’ winger.
As the game switched from end-to-end, Corinthian substitute Rhys Betts had a chance to equalise as Godmon dropped the ball at his feet while under pressure, but Betts’s shot was screwed horribly wide. Moments later, Pleau saw a header cleared off the line by full-back Sahil Sethi, who had an outstanding game.
But the second goal that sealed the game for Maidstone arrived with seven minutes left. Ross Bassan seemed to be fouled in the middle of the Corinthian half but was able to poke the ball to Robertson, who shifted to his left and curled a wonderful shot into the top corner that Gable could only stand and watch.
So Maidstone move on into the Third Qualifying Round and await a home tie with the victors of Sutton United’s tie with Eastbourne Borough on Wednesday night.
MAIDSTONE UNITED: Will Godmon, Ashley Long, Dan Johnson, Dan Parkinson ©, Ben Swift, Lee Pleau, Josh Algar (Liam Mayall 75), Ross Bassan, Dom Lelliott (Regan Payne 59), Liam King (Aidan Hayes 63), Charley Robertson.
Subs not used: Ellis Iandolo, Steve Lawrence.
Goals: Ashley Long 7, Charley Robertson 83.
Bookings: Dan Parkinson 47, Lee Pleau 70.
CORINTHIAN: Taylor Gable, Joe Brown ©, Sahil Sethi, Chris Lambert, Marcus Evans, Harry Hagan, Mike Hagan (Rhys Betts 59), Harry Sheridan (Tom Rutnam 63), Lewis Parker, Sam Adetiba, Jordan Campbell (Tom Fawcitt 74).
Sub not used: Matt Bishop.
Attendance: 233
Referee: Mr Elliott Hollobone
Assistants: Mr Ben Croucher and Mr Ryan Cole