Sevenoaks Town 0 Maidstone United 4 - STONES KENT LEAGUE CHAMPIONS 2005-06

SEVENOAKS TOWN 0

MAIDSTONE UNITED 4
Lynden Rowland 6
Mo Takaloo 45
Ryan Royston 87, 90

Stephen McCartney reports from Greatness Park
Kentish Observer League

Jubilant Maidstone United fans ripped off the shirts off the backs of heroes Nathan Paul, Mario Celaire and Mo Takaloo as they celebrated with their team on the Greatness Park pitch, having secured the Kentish Observer League title today.

The club have promised to hand the number 2,5 and 9 shirts back to the proud fans - once they return the amber shirts back to the club in time for next Saturday’s Kentish Observer League Cup Final against VCD Athletic at Folkestone Invicta’s Buzzlines Stadium.

In front of Sevenoaks Town’s biggest crowd since their return to Kent League football three years ago, Stones fans emotionally spilled onto the pitch once news filtered through that leaders Beckenham Town were held to a 1-1 draw by Erith & Belvedere.

The Deres started and finished the day in fourth place, and were hoping Thamesmead Town would slip up against Hythe Town at Bayliss Avenue. However, Keith McMahon, who recently replaced Paul Blade at the helm, saw his side secure third place with a 3-0 win.

Maidstone United were expected to comfortably beat a Sevenoaks Town side that were already rooted to the foot of the table, winning only three league games and scoring just 18 goals.

It was what was happening 21 miles away at Park View Road in Welling that was causing all Stones fans, including manager Lloyd Hume, anxiety.

Lynden Rowland had already scored his 25^th goal of the season when news filtered through that Erith & Belvedere were awarded a penalty.

But when Deres striker Leon Braithwaite had his penalty saved by the visiting goalkeeper, around 500 visiting Stones fans were hoping it wasn’t going to be one of those days.

With many of the Stones fans signing anti-Glllingham songs inside the “bus stop”, they were chanting “going-up” when Rowland rifled into the top right hand corner of the net from all of one yard out after Nick Hegley’s cross to the far post after just six minutes.

More efforts reigned in on John-Paul Green’s goal with Hegley shooting over from distance, Celaire heading Sam Tydeman’s free kick over and Takaloo’s header being tipped around the post by the former Beckenham Town goalkeeper.

As news of Braithwaite’s penalty miss filtered through, Tydeman blazed high over Sevenoaks’ bar before the home side created their only chance of the game after 27 minutes.

A long range low drive from former Bromley right-sided midfielder, Ryan Hackett was never going to trouble Stones’ stopper Pat Mullin, who saw the shot roll harmlessly wide of his right post.

It was never going to be Sevenoaks day, but all credit must go to the home club for staging their biggest Kent League game without any trouble.  A smashing club and many Stones fans wish their local neighbours the best of luck next term.

Tydeman played in Takaloo down the left hand side and after getting the better of Nick Reeves, and with the goalkeeper advancing, his left-footed shot flew agonisingly wide of the near post.

Expectant Stones’ fans saw headers from Jimmy Strouts and substitute Jason Barton fly off target before they were celebrating their side’s second goal on the stroke of half-time.

Hegley’s cross from the left by-line was met by Takaloo, who headed home his 42^nd goal of the season from underneath the crossbar.

Lyndon Rowland looped a shot just over from six-yards before news came through that Erith & Belvedere had taken the lead through Mark Nougher against title rivals Beckenham Town.

The whole ground erupted as they celebrated and Stones were one step closer to the title.

But celebration turned to nervous tension as Gavin Rose’s side quickly equalised and Stones fans tuned into BBC Radio Kent and telephoning their friends who had decided to watch the drama unfold at Park View Road.

Takaloo was denied by a flying save from Green after 62 minutes, diving to his left to push the former Ramsgate striker’s effort away.

More chances came Maidstone’s way - Ryan Royston’s looping header plucked from underneath the crossbar by the Sevenoaks’ goalkeeper before he saw Takaloo drive wide from 18-yards.

But Stones anxiety increased after 73 minutes when Takaloo ballooned his right-footed penalty into the bank behind the goal - where a handful of Stones fans were watching at the top - after Strouts was fouled following a corner from Aaron Lacy.

Green, one player who can come out of this season with some credit, made two fine saves, denying Lee Sperring’s shot and clawing Rowlands’ header around the post.

Time ticked on, more telephone calls were made to Welling, watches were checked and two more goals were added to the Stones tally.

Rowland took his tally up to eleven for the season, scoring twice in the last three minutes of the game.

First he latched onto Strouts low pass before drilling a shot across the goalkeeper and into the bottom far corner from 12-yards.

Then with the last action of the game, his glancing header flew into the net and the big defender ran over to congratulate Lacy, who provided the chance with one of his trademark long throws into the box.

But once Mr Sage blew the final whistle, Stones fans ran onto the pitch to celebrate their title success, losing twice in their 30 league outings, and pipping Beckenham Town by just two points.

Two great sides, with contrasting styles, have taken part in a great run-in, finishing their league campaign TEN games unbeaten.

Stones boss Lloyd Hume insisted at the end of March when his side held Beckenham Town to a 1-1 draw at Bourne Park that it would go right down to the wire. And it has.

Hopefully the Stones will receive the championship winning trophy next Saturday.  Hindsight is a funny old thing.  They took the silverware to the wrong ground didn't they? But then again Jimmy Strouts may be lifting up two pieces of silverware in seven days time.

* Reaction follows tomorrow