Maidstone United 5-3 Abingdon United

Kamikaze defending contributed to an eight goal thriller at Bourne Park tonight as Maidstone United booked their FA Trophy progress into the third qualifying round, writes Mike Green.

That was the plus side to manager Lloyd Hume. However, on the minus side injuries to Lyndon Rowland and Ben Lewis must now make the pair doubtful for Saturday’s Ryman Premier League home derby against Folkestone Invicta.

After a drab opening half-hour it was Rowland who gave the Stones the lead after 33 minutes, neatly turning in a cross from the right-hand side.

The lead lasted only two minutes, however, as Billy Beechers made room for himself on the edge of the area before scoring with the outside of his right boot.

This topsy-turvy game took another twist within 60 seconds as Rowland was pushed at the far post following a deep Aaron Lacy cross and Luis Cumbers made no mistake from the spot.

The Stones were grateful for their half-time lead, but it would have been so different had Rob Owen had not brilliantly blocked a drive in stoppage time from Jamie Brooks.

The second half began with the visitors’ really upping the tempo - and raising their game.

On 47 minutes Ray Freeman was forced to clear off the line twice from Tom Franklin and Anaclet Odinhmbo after the Stones struggled to clear a corner.

The home faithful, now on the edge of their seats, gasped in disbelief on 49 minutes when Beechers sent a free-header from a long throw inches past Pat Mullin’s right post.

The equaliser was not long in coming and on 57 minutes Odinhmbo drove home a shot from six-yards after appearing yards offside.

Incredibly the Stones came straight back to their Oxfordshire opponents’ and on 63 minutes, retook the lead.

Lacy’s long throw from the right was touched on by Chris Smalling for Mo Takaloo, on as substitute for the injured Rowland, to volley home from six-yards.

Incredibly the pendulum swung back to the visitors on 71 minutes as Freeman handled a Beechers cross leaving the inconsistent referee, Mr Keith Scudder with little option but to point to the spot - Ryan Curtin gave Mullin no chance from the spot.

So nineteen minutes left, 3-3, what more can happen?

How about one of the craziest goals you could wish to see at a football match?

It came on 75 minutes as a Sam Tydeman free-kick caused chaos in the Abingdon United defence. Takaloo’s initial shot was blocked, Smalling then saw his shot cleared off the line by Cumbers, who then showed tremendous speed and was able to force the ball home.

Cumbers then completed his hat-trick eight minutes from time, with a more straight forward goal - a fine ball down the inside left channel released the young striker as the visitors’ offside trap collapsed, and Cumbers showed great poise to advance from half-way to score.

It could have been even better for the Stones had Alex Tiesse not been denied by Abingdon goalkeeper Simon Tricker, as again Cumbers beat the off-side trap.

Afterwards, manager Hume shook his head in debrief. “I thought we’d concede some goals tonight, but didn’t expect the experienced heads to be at fault,” he told BBC Radio Kent.

“I thought Chris Smalling was our best player on the night, but it was tough on Ben Lewis who turned up only 80% fit.

“If I’m honest, it was a toss up between him and Mario (McNish) as to who was the unfitter!

“Obviously we’re pleased to get into the next round and we’re looking forward to renewing some old rivalries at the weekend.

“I’ve known Cugs (Folkestone Invicta manager Neil Cugley) a long time, and we know quite a bit about their players, as they do about ours, really looking to it.”