Maidstone Utd

2 - 1

The Terrors

GOALS

So, that's it for another year!  Despite wearing my lucky shirt and digging out my most charismatic relic, the 'Alan Ives' scarf (see photo), the Terrors' attempt to mark the 50th season since first taking a league scalp in the competition fell at the first scaffolding pole at the builders yard that is Sittingbourne FC. Tooting don't like sunny Saturdays.  At least that's how it seems as the opening half brought back memories of the last one - at Ashford!  McLeod tried to 'do a Sutton' by bullying the keeper off the ball in the 8th minute, but the traffic was only flowing one way. Despite enjoying a wealth of  possession Maidstone made little impression on the visiting defence in the first quarter of an hour.  However things emphatically changed after twenty minutes as the normally mute home crowd finally offered their team a modicum of support.

Two goals arrived in the space of three minutes.  Both were back post headers and neither featured the participation of any Tooting defenders. Saunders struck first from a corner following a King save from Pinnock, then a Blackman cross was nodded home by Bradbrook.  Maidstone could, and should, have buried the game squandering at least two more guilt edged chances. Tooting were reduced to aimless long ball clearances as 'stone players lined up for pot shots at King. 

Half Time  2  - 0

Having already replaced McLeod with Pittersion on the half hour the remaining subs were deployed for the second half. Henry-Hayden and Jason Pinnock replacing Bouadji and a less than delighted Hamlin.  The intention was clear as a Pitterson effort was blocked for a corner in the opening minute.  Byatt set up Grant for an ambitious overhead attempt shortly after, but the solid home defence, well marshalled by Cox and confident enough to move the excellent Nathan Paul upfield, were generally happy to let the Terrors come at them. That said, two further home chances went begging before Muguo lined up Grant in the fifty seventh minute, but his carefully placed low shot curled agonisingly wide.

This stirred Maidstone once again and for the next ten minutes or so they pushed on, backed once again by a wall of silence.  A flying Dave King save just before the half hour signalled the start of Tootings best spell, bringing back memories of the league game here two years ago.  But it was not to be, Paul Vines pulled one back with a lovely chip from a very tight angle over Walker, who then redeemed himself a few minutes later with a brave save at the feet to the same forward.

Deep into stoppage time a high hoof into the goalmouth was saved on the line by Walker, but it would have been harsh on the homesters, who can enjoy both the three grand prize and a trip to the next round.

sequence includes Paul Vines' goal and sub Michael Antonio

See more of Nigels photos at:  http://nigelwood.fotopic.net/

TEAMS

View from the other end