Goals from Frannie Collin, Jay May and Charley Robertson helped Maidstone United come back from a disappointing first half against Metropolitan Police to give the Stones three points in their game of the new season.

With the good news from the Conference that the league will allow 3G pitches from next season, Maidstone had an extra incentive to push for promotion after their season last year ended in disappointment when they were unable to reach the playoffs due to other results on the last day of the season.

Jay Saunders started a similar side to his team last year with the Stones manager able to bring Steve Watt into the starting 11, whilst also signing promising young striker Ashley Miller.

Maidstone started the game very strongly and were causing problems for the Met Police defence in the early period of the game, in the opening minutes a cross from the left side by Alex Flisher found Matt Bodkin in the penalty area but the right sided winger’s first touch was too close to Nicholas Jupp in goal.

The hosts continued to test Jupp early in the first half, after a good run from Bodkin down the right wing he was able to steer a cross towards Jay May but Ryan James’ vital clearing header prevented May from reaching the cross.

Soon after however, Met Police had their first opportunity of the game, after some good build up play from Charlie Collins and Ryan James, Collins was able to get a shot away from the edge of the area, but his effort was fearlessly blocked by Alex Brown.

Matt Bodkin was causing lots of problems for the visiting defence with his quick, powerful runs down the right wing but he showed his variety later in the first half when, instead of putting in a cross, he decided to cut inside before putting a perfect pass just in front of May, although the imposing striker was able to slide the ball underneath the goalkeeper, Ryan James was able to save his team for the second time in ten minutes.

James was showing his attacking qualities too, from a corner and the resulting goal- line scramble he was able to win two header, neither of which he was able to direct towards goal.

Against the run of play it was the visitors who were able to break the deadlock, some quick, skilful passing on the edge of the area from Met Police bamboozled the Maidstone defence before Bradley Hudson- Odoi dealt the final blow by putting home the ball after his own shot was saved. Two minutes later Billy Cook was almost able to double his team’s lead after he was put through by Hudson- Odoi but the midfielder’s low shot was well saved by Lee Worgan meaning Maidstone went in to half time 1-0 down despite having more chances.

The stones came back from half time visibly ready for the next 45 minutes of football, from their opening attack a strong run from Alex Flisher found Jay May who was unable to put his shot on target.

The hosts continued to push forward through Flisher, the winger’s free kick towards the far post fell towards May who was able to head the ball back into the six yard box before Frannie Collin was able to poke a shot in, however, the striker’s celebration was halted when the Gallagher Stadium noticed the assistant referee’s flag up for offside.

This didn’t stop Maidstone though, minutes later Collin stepped up to take a free kick from over 20 yards out, the striker used the good position of the free kick on the left side of the pitch to curl a perfect right footed shot past Jupp to score his first goal of the season.

After a quiet period of play Maidstone were able to gain the lead out of nothing, from a wasted corner kick by Met Police Lee Worgan played a simple pass to Stephen Butcher in the right- back position, Butcher hit a long ball over the defence which Jay May was able to use his mix of power and pace to reach before sliding a low shot into the bottom corner to give the stones the lead for the first time in this young season.

Yet another slow period of play followed as Maidstone looked to keep the ball to prevent their opponents from pushing forward, despite this, they still pushed forward when they found space and they were able to confirm their win in the 88^th minute when more quick passes fell to Charley Robinson who kept his composure to skilfully dribble around Nicholas Jupp and score the Stones’ third goal of the game to send the Gallagher Stadium into a frenzy of celebration.

That early win gives Maidstone a confidence boost as they need to play their next two games away from their familiar surroundings, they face newcomers VCD Athletic in North Kent on Tuesday before the travel to West Sussex to face Bognor Regis Town the following Saturday.

Maidstone United: Worgan, Butcher, Mills, Watt, Miles, Brown (Robertson), Bodkin, Parkinson, May (Harris), Collin (Rodgers), Flisher.

Subs not used: Coyle, Godmon.

Met Police: Jupp, Taylor, Joseph, Salmon, Sutherland (Gutteridge (Hall)), Crook, Pattison, James, Hudson- Odoi, Collins (Charles), Adjei.

Subs not used: Males, Smalley.

Attendance: 1566