Maidstone are into the Ryman League Cup final after an emphatic victory over a good Grays side on Tuesday night.

It took time as Grays in the first half nullified Maidstone’s attack which was hampered by Frannie Collin being out injured & Zac Attwood was the focal point & he became the man as his hat trick set the victory up.

The game started quickly for Stones as in the 1^st minute a free into the area was half cleared to Alec Flisher whose first time shot was saved by Lloyd Anderson.

Another chance came in the 15^th minute when a long throw by Flisher was half cleared to Kayne Woolery whose shot was blocked by the onrushing defender.

Grays had their first chance of the game in the 22^nd minute when a ball into the area found Leon Lalite & his shot from 8 yards out was blocked & eventually Lee Worgan was able to kick clear.

Two minutes later Joao Carlos on the left crossed into the area for Kenny Beaney but from 12 yards he blazed his shot over the bar, three minutes later Daniel Gilchrist in the area just about to shoot when his shot was blocked & cleared.

The clearest chance of the game came in the 31^st minute when Luke Rooney’s free kick into the area found Jack Parkinson a six yards out on his own but he headed wide of the post.

Rooney tried to show everyone how to score when in the 40^th minute he received the ball cut inside & his curling shot from 20 yards went just over the bar.

As half time was approaching Maidstone took the lead when in the 44^th minute Flisher’s lobbed pass found Attwood who looked to handle it in the area before shooting past Anderson. Team talks on both sides must have changed.

The second became a rout as Maidstone took control & it seemed every attack would produce a goal. In the 51^st minute a Rooney free kick into the area found Attwood in space & he headed in from 8 yards.

On the hour Rooney put Attwood through on goal but his shot was saved but four minutes later he got his hat trick as Rooney’s cross into the area found Attwood who from six yards side footed in.

Seven minutes later Charlie Robertson on at half time in the area shot past Anderson. Grays to their credit still tried to play & in the following minute nice interplay between Carlos & Gilchrist saw Gilchrist’s shot blocked by Jack Sullivan.

In the 76^th minute another chance came when Robertson & Tom Mills combined to leave Robertson in the area but his shot was saved.

Two minutes later it was five when Dan Parkinson shot home from 20 yards. In the 83^rd minute Rooney’s pass inside the fullback saw Mills in the area but his shot was blocked by Anderson & then hit the post.

The last goal came in the 87^th minute when Ben Swift on the left crossed into the area for Robertson who side footed in.

The final whistle went & Maidstone now play Harrow/Ware or AFC Sudbury in the final.

MAIDSTONE:

1. L.WORGAN   2. J.SULLIVAN  3. T.MILLS  4. J.SOBERS  5. G.ANDREWS  6. L.ROONEY

7. K.WOOLERY   8. J.PARKINSON  9. Z.ATTWOOD (77)  10. A.BROWN (62)  11. A.FLISHER (45)

SUBS USED: 12. C.ROBERSTON (45)  14. D.PARKINSON (62)  16. B.SWIFT (77)

SUBS NOT USED:  15. S.WARD  21. W.GODMAN

BOOKINGS:6. L.ROONEY (81)  8. J.PARKINSON (67)

GRAYS ATHLETIC:

1. L.ANDERSON  2. C.POPE  3. D.DAY  4. P.ANDERSON  5. R.KIRBY (81)  6. J.DOCKER  7. L.LALITE (77)

8. K.BEANEY  9. J.KNIGHT (77)  10. D.GILCHRIST  11. J.CARLOS

SUBS USED: 15. B.OSMAN (77)  16. B.MOSES  18. R.YALA

SUBS NOT USED: 12. L.EDGAR  14,. J.NOUBLE

BOOKING: 2. C.POPE (81)

REFEREE: Mr J.RICHARDSON

ASSISTANTS: Mr A.GRAY  &  Mr T.HATT

ATTENDANCE: 695