Whitstable Town FC

Tunbridge Wells 3 -1 Maidstone United: Kent Senior Trophy Second Round

Culverden Stadium, Tunbridge Wells: Saturday 26^th November

Maidstone United were left to rue a host of missed chances as they slumped to their second defeat inside three days at Tunbridge Wells.

Despite dominating the first half, the Stones couldn?t find a way past John Whitehouse. First, Jason Barton squandered a good chance when one on one with the goal keeper before Jimmy Strouts headed Nick Hegley?s cross over the bar.

Tunbridge Wells could have scored in the 34^th minute though when Ryan Royston let the ball sail over his head and into Joe Fuller?s path. Fuller pulled the ball back into the box but Shane Hickmott, who was sliding in, couldn?t divert the ball into the net.

At the other end, Lee Sperring saw his half volley bounce wide and Mo Takaloo forced Whitehouse to tip over his fierce drive following a good low ball from Sperring.

Hickmott was involved in the action shortly before half time when he slipped the ball into Stephen Ward but Pat Mullin reacted quickly to stop the resultant shot with his legs.

The Stones enjoyed a good spell of possession just after half time with Whitehouse making a good stop from Takaloo? shot and Lynden Rowland?s cracking shot just flying wide before Mario Celaire had an excellent chance to put the visitors in front. United broke out of defence quickly with Lee Sperring passing to Lacy who then found Celaire but unfortunately for The Stones, Celaire?s shot was stopped by Whitehouse.

Then with 66 minutes played, Tunbridge Wells found themselves in front against the run of play. Bradley Mortimer sent a high looping shot towards goal and it dropped over the line with Pat Mullin desperately trying to keep the ball out of the net.

From then on, the home side looked the better side although United kept on pressing and they equalised with 13 minutes to play when Hegley?s corner was headed on by Celaire and Rowland powered a header into the far corner of the net.

Any illusions that The Stones might have had of stealing a win were shattered on 82 minutes though. Jason Bourne found Stephen Ward out wide on the right and with the box full of Tunbridge Well?s players he picked out the unmarked Mortimer who scored with his head. Then with just seconds left, substitute Dave Hassett sealed The Wells? victory with a well taken goal after finding himself with just Mullin to beat.

Goal Scorers

Tunbridge Wells: Bradley Mortimer 66,82, Dave Hassett 90

Maidstone United: Lyndon Rowland 77

Line ups:

Tunbridge Wells: John Whitehouse, Jason Bourne, Ben Hilden, Adrian Hatcher, Clayton Cooper, John Sinclair, Wayne Balmer, Bradley Mortimer, Shane Hickmott (Dave Hasserr 74), Joe Fuller, Stephen Ward. Subs not used: Scott Thomas, Abdul El-Ferdi.

Maidstone United: Pat Mullin, Aaron Lacy, Craig Roser, Jason Barton, Mario Celaire, Ryan Royston, Jimmy Strouts, Lee Sperring (Robin Clark 60), Mo Takaloo, Lynden Rowland, Nick Hegley. Subs not used: Sam Tydeman, Simon Austin, Richard Mannerings.