After a turgid first half, Maidstone United came back to claim the scalp of Football League strugglers Macclesfield Town in the FA Cup 1st Round clash.

Early on, the visitors enjoyed the better of the early exchanges. Ben Stephens tried his luck with an overhead kick that went wide then Michael Rose had an effort deflected wide.

Thirteen minutes had passed when The Silkmen went ahead with an excellent goal. Malachi Napa cut through the Maidstone defence before squaring for Stephens to convert with a crisp finish.

There was little more goalmouth action in the first half but what there was at the Maidstone end. Harry Smith turned and shot over then Napa caught a defender dawdling with his clearance but over-ran it when well clear.

Alex Finney was the Stones’ best player in the first half and did superbly to defend a long through ball as Smith looked favourite to get on the end of it.

Whatever was said in the Maidstone dressing room, it was effective as the hosts came out a different side and levelled five minutes into the second period.

Maidstone were awarded a free kick on the left hand side and Jack Powell delivered perfectly with a free kick that left Manchester United loanee goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara helpless.

They almost went ahead soon after when Simon Walton’s flicked header came back off the inside of the post.

Blair Turgott spun and shot first time but fired well over from thirty yards.

Elliott Romain had the ball in the net but it was disallowed for a foul on O’Hara. However, it was not long after when Maidstone went ahead,

Romain was caught in the penalty area by Jamie Grimes and a spot kick was awarded. Turgott took the responsibility and fired home in style.

From that point on there was never any doubt that Maidstone would win. Powell slung over a deep free kick that Jake Cassidy headed over then Romain had a shot that was deflected well over.

Turgott had a late chances when he cut in from the corner but fired over then tried a free kick under the wall that O’Hara saved.

It mattered little that he didn’t add to the score-line as the Stones saw the game out to ease into the second round of the F.A. Cup.

 

Maidstone United: 4-2-3-1 Smith; De Havilland, McLennan, Finney, Phillips; Powell (Durojaiye 85), Walton; Cassidy, Paxman (Tajbakhsh 74), Turgott; Romain.

Subs not used: Strizovic, Nana-Twumasi, Muldoon, Dale, Williams.

 

Macclesfield: 4-4-1-1 O’Haea; Hodgkiss, Kelleher, Grimes, Fitzpatrick; Vincenti (Welch-Haye 65), Rose, Lloyd (Durrell 80), Napa (Blissett 72); Stephens’ Smith.

Subs not used: Lowe, Wilson, Taylor, Arthur.

 

Maidstone United:

Goalscorers: Powell (50), Turgott pen (68)

Yellow cards: Cassidy, Romain, Walton.

Red cards: None

 

Macclesfield:

Goalscorers: Stephens (13)

Yellow cards: Lloyd

Red cards: None

 

 

Referee: Neil Hare

Assistants: Leigh Crowhurst and Rob Smith

Fourth Official: Alex Blake

 

Attendance: 2.169

 

Maidstone star player: Blair Turgott

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.