Match Report

Well I can say that despite the scoreline things did get better against a strong Maidstone team. A few new faces in Gary Rosslee, Dave Cousins and Lee Sheppard to give us a starting 12 with Gary taking over in goal and making a very good debut with a string of good saves.

The game was played in total contrast to the previous week with a better shape being maintained and we more than matched the expected onslaught from Maidstone during the first half. Passes were reaching the intended player, tackles were being made and players were tracking back but the highlight of the half was the tackle made by Lee Southby on the edge of our box just as a Maidstone forward was lining up to score. This combined with an excellent job of man marking earned him the deserved man of the match votes. It was therefore disappointing that Maidstone did manage to take a 1-0 lead into half-time.

Ten minutes into the second half and Toby Manchip (now let loose on pitch) was brought down in the penalty area leaving Paul Smith to expertly dispatch the ball into the roof of the net to earn us a deserved equaliser. Unfortunately we couldn''t build on this and Maidstone''s superior fitness proved decisive. Toby M continued falling over to the extent that at one point Maidstone put the ball out of play not so much in concern for Toby but more so that they could take time to stop laughing. Gary in goal continued to make some good saves but eventually 4 more goals went in and the final whistle went. Even though we lost, the team spirit was still there encouraged by the improved performance.

A word of thanks to Micky Gearing for refereeing the game and also to Mark James who located last week''s match ball that had been sent into orbit presumed lost.