Maidstone United won just their second home game of the season with victory over relegation rivals Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday afternoon. 

This was not a lucky win as they put on a performance that would have won more games this season if they had played like this on a regular basis.

The Stones came out of the blocks the quickest and dominated possession, in the 6^th minute Aron Davies tried his luck from 25 yards but it went over the bar, a minute later Jake Embery making his home debut since signing from Herne Bay on the right cut inside, his shot from 20 yards was deflected wide of the post for a corner.

Seven minutes later Blair Turgott making only his third appearance after injury ran into the area, but saw his shot deflect just past the post. In the 18^th minute Turgott was put through on the left, his low cross evaded everyone and was put out for a corner. From the resulting corner it was headed clear but straight to Elliott Romain who from 10 yards saw his volley deflected past the post for another corner.

Havant were having to defend but in the 23^rd minute they had their first half chance when Hassan Jallah just inside the area saw his shot easily saved by Chris Lewington and in the next minute Wes Fogden received the ball on the right, he cut in and hit his shot but Lewington saved it easily.

In the 26^th minute Embery running onto a long ball beat two defenders ran into the area but shot into the side netting. In the 33^rd minute Maidstone finally took the lead when Turgott picked up a loose ball in his own half, ran forward and played the ball forward for Embery to run onto. He went into the area and shot past Ben Dudzinski.

In the space of 30 seconds Maidstone nearly scored and then did score, firstly Turgott passed forward for Embery who had his shot blocked but came out to Romain, his shot from 18 yards was saved and then Jack Powell was put through. He ran into the area and shot past Dudzinski. In the 44^th minute in a rare attack Alfie Rutherford on the edge of the area saw his shot parried away by Lewington. Half time arrived and Maidstone were in a strange position that being in front at home, could they hold on.

The second half was not as good as the first as Maidstone ran out of steam but defended as if their lives depended on it while Havant did not really create much.

In the 52^nd minute Maidstone could have increased their lead when Romain’s chip to the back post was headed wide by Will De Havilland. In the 61^st minute a free kick by Andreas Robinson nearly caught Lewington out but he was able to flick it round the post.

The game was getting stretched but both teams did not cause any problems. In the 71^st minute Havant thought they had scored when a free kick to the back post was headed back across the goal by ex Stone Joe Quigley and parried away by Lewington but only to Rutherford who headed in but the offside flag went up and with that so did Havant’s chances of getting back into the game.

The last chance of the game in the 83^rd minute when Turgott on a breakaway was put through on goal, he went into the area but saw his shot saved and then cleared.

The final whistle was close and 7 added on minutes were to be played partly due to a serious injury for Davies who eventually after treatment was stretched off, Havant pushed everyone forward in search for a goal or two but Maidstone defended brilliantly and got their just rewards when the final whistle eventually went.

The spirit in the team was there to be seen and now they go to Eastleigh on Tuesday night buoyed by this win hoping they can perform like today and get closer to getting out of the bottom four.

Maidstone United:

26. Lewington 5. W.De Havilland  6. A.Davies (80)  8. J.Powell  9.E.Romain  11. B.Turgott
27. J.Embery (69, Home Debut ) 16. D.Wishart  22. M.Phillips  25. R.Swaine  27. S.Donnellan

Subs Used:  24. J.Taylor (69)  21. O.Muldoon (80)

Subs Not Used:  1. D-C Henry  2. D.Meredith  17. L.Donnellan

Bookings:  6. A.Davies (70)

Havant & Waterlooville:

21. Dudzinski 2. D.Strugnell  5. R.Woodford (84)  7. W.Fogden  8. T.Lewis (62)  10. J.Quigley
22. A.Robinson 17. J.Rose 20. A.Rutherford  25. T.Cordner  29. H.Jalloh (62)

Subs Used: 9. M.Pattison (62)  27. C.Paul (62)  14. M.Carter (84)

Subs Not Used:  6. E.Harris  18. I.Sekajja

Bookings:  2. D.Strgnell (55)   25. T.Cordner (72)

Referee: Mr. J.Smith

Assistants:  Mr. C.Myatt  & Mr. P.Evans

4^th Official: Mr. O.Jackson

Att: 1901 (76 from Havant)