Maidstone United 2-0 Tooting & Mitcham United - It was important to bounce back - Hume

They were three hard fought points for the Stones over the team who arrived in Kent in fourth place at the start of play.

With skipper Ben Lewis and veterans Ian Cox and Neil Smith (who played in an uncharacteristic left-back position) were outstanding for the Stones as time after time Tooting & Mitcham’s attacks came to nothing.

That, along with the resurgence of Meshach Nugent up front, was key for the Stones’ triumph.

After a cagey opening, where both sides battled in the midfield, it was Nugent who provided Stones’ opener after nineteen minutes.

The burly centre forward did brilliantly down the right leaving two defenders in his wake and as he advanced his driven cross was flicked home by James Pinnock, arriving late into the six-yard box for his eighth goal of the season.

With battles taking place all over the Bourne Park pitch, the quietest players on the field were the two goalkeepers, as the game became an enthralling midfield battle, with the other real chance of the half falling to the Stones on 28 minutes.

Tooting & Mitcham goalkeeper Dave King and defender Matt York combined well initially to clear the danger, but King’s clearance (with the keeper on the left hand edge of his penalty area), fell straight to Elliot Bradbrook, but unfortunately for the Stones number eleven, his 35-yard drive flew agonisingly wide of the stranded keeper’s right post.

Tooting & Mitcham United seemed to be odds with themselves and, midfielder Allan McLeod was in my view extremely fortunate to escape a red card for a two-footed challenge on Selley midway through the half.

After half-time it was different Tooting & Mitcham side that took to the field as the twin strike force of Paul Vines and Ben Abbey for a short while escaped the shackles of the Stones’ defence.

Vines, in particular, was unfortunate twice in two agonising minutes, when first (from an offside position) he had a header which hit the inside of Andy Walker’s left post only to rebound to the relieved goalkeeper.

From Tooting’s next attack Vines did beat Walker but his shot didn’t have the power to cross the line and again the visitors agonisingly and almost apologetically came back off the same post.

At the other end, Nugent was denied by King from 25-yards - keeper pulling out a top drawer save away to his left, whilst Walker denied Abbey, when the former Gravesend & Northfleet striker saw a flicked header arrow towards the bottom corner.

The Stones sealed their points and climb up the table in stoppage time, courtesy of a harsh decision awarded against Aaron Goode by referee Mr Smith.

Seb Schoburgh (second half substitute for Nugent) sprinted free down the left as Tooting & Mitcham pushed for an equaliser and was tackled by Goode in the penalty area, and when the official pointed to the spot, Goode (along with many off the 372 crowd looked totally perplexed).

Not that, that number included Selley as the midfielder coolly rolled in his fourth penalty of the season with King diving to his right as the ball disappeared left.

Afterwards, Maidstone United joint-manager Lloyd Hume was beaming.

When asked about the performance of his central defensive partnership, whilst agreeing they were superb he had a special word of praise for his makeshift full-back.

Speaking to BBC Radio Kent, Hume said: “I thought Smudger was outstanding today, I don’t know how many times he has played there in his career, but filled that role for us at Margate a couple of weeks ago and Alan (Walker) and I had no hesitation putting him in the role today.”

He went on: “After going out of both cups in the last couple of weeks it was important for us to get a result today against a very good side.

“It’s when you win games like that, that you leave the ground happy and tonight I’m a very happy man.”

Maidstone United: Andy Walker, Nathan Paul, Neil Smith, Ben Lewis, Ian Cox, Meshach Nugent (Seb Schoburgh 70), Ian Selley, Jay Saunders, James Pinnock, Lloyd Blackman (James Peacock 64), Elliot Bradbrook.
Subs: Aaron Lacy, Craig Thompson, Steve Northwood.

Goals: James Pinnock 19, Ian Selley 90 (pen)

Booked: Meshach Nugent 11, Jay Saunders 46, Seb Schoburgh 74

Tooting & Mitcham United: Dave King, Matt York, Colin Hartburn, Aaron Goode, Joe Vines, Andrew Howell, Allan McLeod, Stuart Myall (Callum Crawley 23), Paul Vines, Ben Abbey, Jason Pinnock (John Henry-Haden 79).
Subs: Jamie Batt, Craig Pittenson, Oliver Hunt.

Booked: Allan McLeod 22, Paul Vines 46, Colin Hartburn 69, Joe Vines 78,

Attendance: 372
Referee: Mr Grant Smith (Polegate, East Sussex)
Assistants: Mr Darren Eaton (Newhaven, East Sussex) & Mr James Slaney (Brighton, East Sussex)