Maidstone won this Kent derby emphatically although their first goal was controversial but after that it was one way traffic without them getting out of second gear.

As stated Maidstone came out of the blocks quickly & in the 2^nd minute they had scored when a Alex Flisher long throw into the area was headed goalwards by Jerome Sobers & ended up in the net but it seemed that Smith impeded the keeper Robert Budd & it was only after consultation with the Assistant that the goal was given Thamesmead were not happy.

Two minutes later Smith to Collin whose defence splitting pass put Flisher in & he took one touch in the area but then blasted it over.

Thamesmead’s first chance came in the 6^th minute when Tyrus Gordon-Young burst forward & his shot from 18 yards was deflected into the sidenetting.

Another chance went a begging for Maidstone in the 13^th minute when Flisher passed into Attwood who passed into the path of Davies who got to the by-line & his low cross evaded everyone & was cleared.

Maidstone doubled their lead in the 35^th minute when Steve Watt coming out of defence sent a long ball forward for Attwood who beat the offside trap & went into the area before shooting past Budd.

In the 39^th minute it was nearly three when the corner to the far post was headed back by Flisher for Attwood on the near post but he was beaten to the ball by Tozer for another corner.

Half time arrived & Keith McMahan was not happy with the Referee & had words with him as they walked off.

The second half started slowly but then in the 53^rd minute another controversial decision came when Flisher was put through & his shot was blocked by the onrushing Budd & some Referees could have given it as handball but tonight’s one waived play on.

In the 66^th minute Maidstone increased their lead when Phillips 30 yards out threaded the ball through to Collin who unopposed shot home from 15 yards.

Two minutes later a delightful bit of football saw Mills pass to Collin whose back heel found Flisher & his low cross found Attwood whose shot on the turn was deflected just past the post.

In the 71^st minute another chance came when Saraiva on the right wing beat 2 defenders & his cross found Attwood whose shot was parried away & cleared.

The piece de resistance came in the 88^th minute when Collin passed the ball into the path of Saraiva & his bullet shot from 20 yards flew into the net.

 

Maidstone United:

1. L.WORGAN  2. R.DAVIES  3. T.MILLS  4. S.WATT  5. J.SOBERS  6. M.PHILLIPS   7. O.SMITH (66)

8. A.BROWN (71)  9. Z.ATTWOOD (82)  10. F.COLLIN  11 .A.FLISHER

 

SUBS USED: 15. P.BOOTH (82)  16. F.SARAIVA (71)  17. R.HILL (66)

SUBS NOT USED: 12. D.LYE  14. G.ANDREWS

 

BOOKINGS: 5. J.SOBERS (20)  8. A.BROWN (52)

 

ThamesmeadTown:

1. R.BUDD   2. J.HOPKINS   3. J.PORTER  4. D.PENNANT (75)  5. L.TOZER   6. J.DONOVAN

7. S.ROBERTS  8. D.PHILLIPS (86)  9. T. GORDAN-YOUNG   10. J.CAMPBEL

11. T. FAIRWEATHER-JOHNSON

 

SUBS USED: 15. O.BANKOLE (86)  16. J.MAIN (75)

SUBS NOT USED: 12. J.SCARBOROUGH  14. R.BUTLER  17. R.CARTER

 

BOOKINGS: 4. D.PENNANT (32)  5. L.TOZER (67)

 

REFEREE: Mr N.COOPER

ASSISTANTS: Mr G.BAKER & Mr R BATTYE

ATTENDANCE: 1,517