Maidstone United 0-1 AFC Wimbledon - We gave it our all, says a proud Hume

A record crowd of 1,719 crammed into Bourne Park, but the Stones’ dreams of reaching the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time since 1987 (which the old club achieved), were dashed thanks to Sam Hatton’s fourth goal of the season.

It was the only time that the Blue South leaders got in behind an excellent, hard-working back-four, but the quality shone through when it really mattered.

Hume was left to rue an excellent chance that was wasted by striker Meshach Nugent some eleven minutes earlier, but AFC Wimbledon were a quality outfit and the Kent side found it very difficult to create any other clear cut chances.

Maidstone United were at full strength for this Cup showdown, having rested many of their star names for the midweek win at AFC Hornchurch in the FA Carlsberg Trophy (second qualifying round replay).

It was important for the Stones not to concede an early goal and the Kent side worked tirelessly throughout to keep their big-spending visitors at bay.

Stones’ goalkeeper, Andy Walker was called into action after 12 minutes, making a comfortable low save, following Hatton’s right-footed drive from 30-yards, following Ian Cox’s headed clearance.

AFC Wimbledon striker, Danny Kedwell, who has played for numerous Kent sides, including Maidstone United, was denied a clear opportunity, thanks to a saving tackle from Stones’ left-back, Roland Edge, the ball ricocheting just wide of the near post.

Walker then made a smart save from Kedwell’s snap shot after 20 minutes after the ball was knocked to his path after Hatton whipped in a cross from the right.

But Maidstone United should have broken the deadlock just two minutes later.

A defensive splitting through ball from Lloyd Blackman released his strike partner Nugent through on goal after shrugging off Ben Judge, but with the goal at his mercy the former Dulwich Hamlet attacker blasted his right-footed shot over Andy Little’s crossbar.

Another chance soon followed for the brave Stones when central defensive rock, Ben Lewis, floated a free-kick from inside his own half into the opponents penalty area but the unmarked Elliot Bradbrook cleared the crossbar with his header from 12-yards.

Walker, diving to his left, was relieved to see Tom Davis’ right-footed drive from thirty-yards flash past his post, but the decisive goal that broke Maidstone United’s hearts arrived after 32 minutes.

Winger, Anthony Finn, who impressed during the two games against Dover Athletic in the last round, was kept quiet until this moment, when he rode Ian Selley’s tackle, cut in from the right and slid the ball in behind the Stones defence.

Arms were raised in desperation as the Kent side appealed for offside but Hatton was through on goal and clinically, with his right-foot, caressed the ball past Walker at his near post and into the top corner.

This goal had stunned Bourne Park into silence, especially when Stones’ Nathan Paul cracked a right-footed shot high and wide from 35-yards.

Decisions appear to go against Kent sides when AFC Wimbledon are the opposition and this was the case in the 42^nd minute when Blackman was tripped by Judge inside the penalty area. With Stones’ fans screaming for a penalty, referee, Mr Carl Brook awarded the visitors a free-kick instead, brandishing the second of four yellow cards to the Kent side.

Still, one goal down at the break, there was hope that Maidstone United would get back into the game during the second half, and Hume agreed, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk  afterwards.

“I firmly believed at half-time it wouldn’t end 1-0,” he said. “Either we’d score or they will and hopefully it’ll be us as long as we restricted them.

“In the first half they scored a goal when their player was through and unfortunately when Meshach went through for us he blasted it over the bar.”

However, a stylish AFC Wimbledon side, had other ideas of a brave Stones comeback, and the second half was an anti-climax for the home faithful.

Former Dover Athletic and Margate central defender, Jake Leberl, struck a right-footed volley over Walker’s crossbar after Lewis headed away Hussey’s free-kick, inside the opening four minutes of the second half.

But Maidstone United’s best second half chance arrived six minutes later, but this wasn’t taken.

Awarded a free-kick on the right-hand side of the penalty area, inches away from the penalty box, everyone was expecting a left-footed curler from Bradbrook. Instead, Ian Selley stepped up to take a right-footed free-kick, which was comfortably plucked out of the air by Little.

AFC Wimbledon’s record signing, Jon Main, however, was quiet throughout, as the vastly-experienced Cox won his own personal battle against the former Tonbridge Angels prolific striker.

With fifteen minutes remaining, hope was fading fast for the Stones, and Hussey delivered a poor corner from the right, which somehow set up an opportunity for Kedwell to blast over with his right-foot.

Maidstone United utilised Aaron Lacy’s long throws towards the end of the game as they desperately went in search of a late equaliser.

The best opportunity by this method fell to Bradbrook, but he glanced his header wide of the post.

With the Stones throwing bodies forward, AFC Wimbledon broke and should have added a second at the death, but Finn’s left-footed drive, from an acute angle, rolled just past the foot of the far post.

Maidstone United may be out of the FA Cup, but they were not disgraced and deserved their standing ovation as they disappeared down the tunnel underneath a packed main stand.

“It’s come to a disappointing end,” said a proud Hume.

“Whilst we nullified Wimbledon and they didn’t really have too many chances, I don’t think we played as well as we could’ve done today.

“But I’m going to quickly add I asked my players before we came out of the dressing room at the start of the game to give everything they’ve got in terms of effort and they certainly did that for us today.

“There were people out there carrying a few knocks and a few injuries and a few that haven’t played for a number of weeks, but they went through the pain barrier today, so I’m proud of them, I’m delighted.”

In front of the club’s largest crowd since reforming, Hume’s, whose side had beaten Tooting & Mitcham United (2-1) and Fisher Athletic (3-2), here at Bourne Park, and up at Halesowen Town (4-1) have enjoyed their lengthy FA Cup campaign this term.

And Hume admitted: “We’ve probably over achieved this year in the FA Cup. We’re a good club, we’re a club hopefully on the up and we should be getting games like this more often.

“It’s been a good experience and a learning one for us.”

But at least the Stones were knocked out by a very good side.

“They’ve got more quality than us because of the stature of the club and the money they pay their players and the fact that they’re pretty much full-time,” said Hume.

“They deserved to have that much more quality but it shows how well we’ve done and how far we’ve gone that we were never really under the cosh.

“They never really created anything, they had a chance right at the end, but we were throwing the kitchen sink at it by then.

“I’m just a bit disappointed that we didn’t show how good we can play at times.”

Maidstone United: Andy Walker, Nathan Paul, Roland Edge, Ben Lewis, Ian Cox, Meshach Nugent (Craig Thompson 81), Ian Selley (Aaron Lacy 65) Jay Saunders, James Pinnock, Lloyd Blackman (Andy Martin 77), Elliot Bradbrook.
Subs: James Peacock, Seb Schoburgh, Neil Smith, Steve Northwood.

Booked: Ben Lewis 15, Lloyd Blackman 42, Jay Saunders 50, Roland Edge 82

AFC Wimbledon: Andy Little, Luke Garrard, Chris Hussey, Kennedy Adjei, Ben Judge, Jake Leberl, Sam Hatton, Tom Davis (Alan Inns 83), Danny Kedwell, Jon Main (Chris Sullivan 89), Anthony Finn.
Subs: Jason Goodliffe, James Pullen, Elliot Godfrey, Michael Haswell.

Goal: Sam Hatton 32

Attendance: 1,719
Referee: Mr Carl Brook (St Leonards, East Sussex)
Assistants: Mr Gavin Collins (Ash, Hampshire) & Mr Christopher Wicks (Reading, Hampshire)
Fourth Official: Mr Andrew Colwell (Eastbourne, East Sussex)