Whitstable Town FC

North Leigh 0 ? 4 Maidstone UnitedOn paper a trip to North Leigh, currently top of the Hellenic League, appeared to be tricky outing for Maidstone United. And for 12 minutes this seemed to be the case. But then Mo Takaloo grabbed his first of four fantastic goals and The Stones, driven on by fabulous performances in particular from debutant Craig Roser and Neil Miller, took complete control and must now be one of the sides left in the competition which teams will be keen to avoid.
This tie could have had a different outcome if North Leigh had capitalised on The Stones? early lethargy. They appealed noisily for a hand-ball after five minutes when Andrew McCabe drove the ball into the area but the referee, who was notable for his incompetence, waved their appeals away.

And a minute later, Justin Miller wormed into the box and pulled the ball back to Liam Hope whose shot was scrambled away at the near post by Pat Mullin.    
Then with just 12 minutes gone, the Stones took the lead against the run of play. Neil Miller passed to Lee Sperring and he found Mo Takaloo in the box with a good through ball. Takaloo showed his experience to wait for the challenge from the defender before knocking the ball to the right and slotting it low into the bottom left corner.

From then on, United dominated and Ryan Royston had a header cleared off the line before Takaloo got his second of the game with 27 minutes played. Takaloo was rewarded for his hard work when he intercepted a pass heading towards North Leigh keeper Richard Barrett. With Barrett advancing, Takaloo then lofted a delicate chip into the far side of the net.

Takaloo went close again with a drive just before half time and Sperring really should have added to the lead when he got himself into a central position in the box but he blasted his shot straight at Barrett who managed to tip the ball over.

It was then Lyndon Rowland?s turn to miss badly when Royston flicked on Aaron Lacy?s throw into the six yard box but Rowland some how sent the ball skyward and over the bar.

These misses could have been costly but the Stones defence was resolute and some great defending from firstly Mario Celaire and then Craig Roser, ensured Justin Miller couldn?t get a shot on Mullin?s goal with 61 minutes gone.

Another good Stones move ended with Sperring?s long range effort going wide before Takaloo claimed his hat-trick in style. Neil Miller lofted an excellent ball forward which Takaloo claimed on the goal line. With two defenders in attendance it seemed unlikely that Takaloo would be able to do much with the ball but in a moment of brilliance he breezed past them both, cut inside and smashed his shot past Barrett.

Takaloo was still hungry for more goals however, and with 13 minutes remaining Royston found substitute Nathan Paul out wide. Paul scampered down the line and whipped in an excellent cross for Takaloo to head in and round off a wonderful afternoon for The Stones.

A delighted Alan Walker said after the game: ?It was a fantastic result and performance once we got going. I thought it could have been a lot more as we?ve had a lot of chances and we played some great football. I?m Mo?s (Takaloo) biggest critic but he has responded well and I?m really hoping this will kick-start his season as we want more from him. Three of the goals he made himself through individual brilliance and I?m delighted for the lad.?

The draw for the next round of the FA Vase takes place on Monday morning. After this performance, The Stones should fear no one.

Eynsham Park, North Leigh, Oxfordshire

FA Vase First Round

Saturday 30^th October

Goal Scorers

Maidstone United: Mo Takaloo 12, 27, 66, 77

Line ups

North Leigh: Richard Barrett, Gary Murphy, Andrew Helby, Mark Lewis, Stuart Huxley, Joe Burnell, Matty Ellis (Mark Dennis 65), Liam Hope, Justin Miller (Robbie Wyatt 72), Andrew McCabe, Simon Futcher (Gary Wright 72). Subs not used: Jamie Jackson

Maidstone United: Pat Mullin, Aaron Lacy, Craig Roser, Neil Miller, Ryan Royston, Sam Tydeman (Jimmy Strouts 78), Lee Sperring (Jason Barton 69), Mo Takaloo, Lyndon Rowland, Simon Austin (Nathan Paul 75). Subs not used: Lloyd Hume, Richard Mannerings.