Whitstable Town FC

Maidstone United vs Beckenham Town

Kentish Observer Kent League

Bourne Park, Sittingbourne

Saturday 25^th March

Goal Scorers

Maidstone United: Leroy Huggins 78

Beckenham Town: Ellis Green 58

Line ups

Maidstone United: Pat Mullin, Aaron Lacy, Craig Roser, Jason Barton (Leroy Huggins 64), Mario Celaire, Ryan Royston, Jimmy Strouts, Sam Tydeman, Mo Takaloo (Lee Sperring 69), Lyndon Rowland, Nathan Paul (Scott Lindsey 77). Subs not used: Nick Hegley, Richard Mannerings

Beckenham Town: Rob Tolfrey, Jake Daniels, Cedric Meeko, Peter Adeniyi, Tony Sinclair, Asher Hudson, Ellis Green, Ohran Stewart, Paul Vines (Dean Lodge 90), Junior Kadi, Ryan Martin (Daniel Morris 83). Subs not used: Gavin Rose, Jamie Cheesman, Ali Kzeyu

An important week in terms of the promotion race in the Kent League has turned into one of disappointment for Maidstone United. After failing to beat Erith Town and VCD Athletic, The Stones went into the game against second placed Beckenham Town knowing that only a victory would keep the fight for top spot in their control. But after missing a host of chances, Maidstone could only draw with Town and they now have to hope that they can take full advantage should Beckenham drop points in the remaining games.

The game was largely a tight and edgy affair with both sides desperate not to lose. However, The Stones created the best chance early on when Lynden Rowland burst into the box, despite the attention of Tony Sinclair, and shot across goal but Rob Tolfrey managed divert the ball away.

Then with 22 minutes played, an Aaron Lacy throw was met by Ryan Royston whose header was goal bound only for Sinclair to block the effort on the line.

It was The Stones who emerged from the break looking the more confident of the sides and they quickly put Beckenham under pressure. With 55 minutes gone, Jason Barton picked out the unmarked Jimmy Strouts at the far post but The Stones? captain wasted the opportunity, putting his header the wrong side of Tolfrey?s post. Just a minute later, Nathan Paul was guilty of a bad miss when he was presented with the ball just inside the box but his effort was eventually no where near the target.

Perhaps some what predictably, Maidstone were made to pay for these misses when with 58 minutes played, Ellis Green hit a low shot from the edge of the area which some how squirmed past Pat Mullin at his near post.

Going a goal behind had a detrimental effect on The Stones as they temporarily lost their shape and momentum but with 64 minutes played, Lloyd Hume introduced Leory Huggins for Mo Takaloo in what was to prove an important substitution.

With just 12 minutes remaining, Jimmy Strouts? lob in midfield was knocked on by Mario Celare into the path of Huggins. The former Tonbridge Angels striker showed no nerves on his debut as he entered the box and slotted a low finish past Tolfrey much to the delight of the majority of the 573 crowd.

Buoyed by the goal, The Stones pushed forwards in search of a winner. With 82 minutes played, Rowland sent the ball out wide to Craig Roser who scampered towards the by-line before pulling the ball back into the path of Huggins who dragged his shot wide.

Maidstone then got caught on the break late on as substitute Daniel Morris crossed for Paul Vines but Beckenham?s leading striker put his header just a whisker over the bar.

As the game entered stoppage time it looked as if The Stones were going to snatch a last gasp winner against Town once again. First, Lee Sperring looked to have beaten Tolfrey from a tight angle but as Rowland, who has been magnificent all season for Maidstone, tried to ensure the ball went in, he unfortunately sent the ball spinning away from goal. Then right at the death, Rowland sent a drive goalwards only for Tolfrey to pull off a tremendous, and perhaps ultimately crucial and decisive, save with his legs.

The Stones now have to try and obtain maximum points from their remaining seven fixtures and hope that they can some how over take Beckenham?s goal difference or that Town drop points. It?s a frustrating situation for Maidstone who just a couple of weeks ago looked to be firmly in control at the top of the table.

Lloyd Hume however, believes that Maidstone are still in with a shout of becoming Kent League Champions once again and he said: ? I would bet almost anything that Beckenham will drop points before the end of the season and there is still the realistic chance that we could but I don?t think that that will the case. If they win it they will win it on their own merit but I still firmly believe that we will go on and win the league. ?