Whitstable Town FC

Deal Town vs Maidstone United...Kent Observer Premier Division Cup...The Charles Sports Ground, Deal...Saturday 12th November

Goal Scorers:  Deal Town: David Bathgate 38: Maidstone United: Simon Austin 47, Jimmy Strouts 57, 62:  

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Deal Town: Robert Lindley Darren Warring, Josh Davidson, Mark Pollard, Leon Incrah (Louis Smith 55), Michael Lane, Jamie Harriott (Carl Whitehead 73), David Bathgate, Aron Robinson, John Utterson, Danny Smith. Sub not used: Graham Taylor,

Maidstone United: Pat Mullin, Aaron Lacy, Craig Roser,Jason Barton, Mario Celaire, Ryan Royston, Nathan Paul, Jimmy Strouts, Lee Sperring, Simon Austin (Robin Clarke 68), Nick Hegley  (Lyndon Rowland 68),. Subs not used: Lloyd Hume, Mo Takaloo, Richard Mannerings.

The Stones went into this game looking to extend their unbeaten run to 10 games but with one eye on the FA Vase tie against Andover, manager Lloyd Hume made several changes to the starting line-up. Hume is now faced with a selection dilemma though as his side comfortably over came Deal Town and Jimmy Strouts in particular, staked his claim for a start in the side with two second half goals.

Speaking after the game Hume said: ?I thought Jimmy Strouts and Jason Barton were superb in midfield and that?s posed a problem because I thought Sam Tydeman and Neil Miller have been arguably our best players. All over the pitch it has given us selection problems but they are nice ones to have, we?ve got a very good squad and it doesn?t matter who we play now, we should be able to beat any one if we perform on the day. ? 

However, The Stones didn?t really get going until the after the break and Deal enjoyed much the better of the first half.

Pat Mullin had to make a save at his near post after Aaron Robinson had waltzed through The Stones defence. But he was beaten with 38 minutes played when The Stones failed to clear the ball properly and when it was pumped back in, David Bathgate threw out a leg and diverted the ball into the far side of the net.

Just a minute later, United had their best chance to equalise when Mario Celaire did well to intercept the ball. He then found Jimmy Strouts who put Lee Sperring in on goal and the young striker unselfishly squared the ball to Nick Hegley who, with his friend the England goal keeper Chris Kirkland watching,  put the chance wide.

Deal could have been further in front just before half time but Mullin tipped Bathgate's header over and at the other end, Celaire also had a header go wide. 

The Stones emerged after the break in a determined mood and it took just two minutes for them to level the game. Nathan Paul raced down the left hand side before sending over a terrific cross which Simon Austin watched carefully before riffling the ball past Lindley.

And it didn?t take long for the Stones to add to their tally. Nick Hegley found himself with just Lindley to beat and he teased the keeper before lofting the ball goalwards and Jimmy Strouts applied the vital touch.