Erith & Belvedere 0-2 Maidstone United

The Stones continued their winning start to the pre season with a comfortable 2-0 win against Erith & Belvedere at Park View Road on Saturday, writes Sam Bunn.

The away side started off the stronger but it was the Dere's with the first chance when striker Lee Morgan was denied by a combination of the post and Pat Mullin.

A free kick from Addison Capper took a heavy delfection off Bert Corbishley, and as the ball looked to be floating in Mullin, whose sight was restricted by a strong sun, managed to punch the ball away. The ball fell to Morgan, but his near post drive would not result in a goal.

But a minute later Maidstone found themselves in the lead. Errison Ahwan found Craig Wilkins on the left hand side of the box, and his deep cross was headed back into the area by Nick Hegley who found Ahwan to head home.

The Stones build on their early advantage and continued putting heavy pressure on the Dere's back line.

Nathan Paul slipped the ball through to the hard working Jason Barton, but he couldn't get the ball past the onrushing Grant Wallis.

Minutes later Paul again managed a through ball, this time to Alex Tiesse, but the former Lewes player was in caught in two minds and neither hit the target or found the onrushing Criag Wilkins.

The second half began with changes being made, and the first chance fell at the feet of Erith's Adrian Deane, but his strike was saved at point blank range by Mullin.

After this scare the Stones then went on the attack - and went close when a brilliantly hit free kick from Simon Austin smashed against the bar.

Austin, who could have quite easily had a hat trick come the final whistle, then had two chances to get his goalscoring campaign underway.

In both instances Austin magnificently dribbled past an array of defenders, but he was not able to beat sub 'keeper Neil Murray on either occasion.

However, the Stones did manage to get a second goal through Mo Takaloo. Aaron Lacy received the ball from Ben Lewis on the halfway line and after making a run down the right hand side, beating two men in the process, he hung a good cross up at the back post for Takaloo to head past the keeper and give the Stones a 2-0 win.

The Stones travel to Kent League neighbours Lordswood on Tuesday night, before their stern test at Blue Square Southern club Fisher Athletic on Saturday.

The match against the Fish takes place at Dulwich Hamlet's Champion Hill ground - and www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be there.

Maidstone United: Mullin, Corbishley, McNish (Lyall 60), Lewis, Barton, Strouts (Lacy 45), Ahwan (Peacock 60), Tydeman (Hegley 45), Paul, Tiesse (Takaloo 45), Wilkins (Austin 45).