VCD Athletic 0 Maidstone United 2

VCD ATHLETIC  0

MAIDSTONE UNITED 2
Lee Sperring 14
Mo Takaloo 23


Kentish Observer League Cup Group C
Stephen McCartney reports from Harrow Meadow

Scott Lindsey admitted he “enjoyed” his Maidstone United debut tonight, helping them secure a clash with title rivals Beckenham Town in the last eight of the Kentish Observer League Cup, writes Stephen McCartney.

The 33-year-old former Folkestone Invicta star, played the entire 90 minutes at the heart of the defence at a frozen Harrow Meadow ground, the home of Eltham based club Greenwich Borough.

Two goals inside the opening 23 minutes from Lee Sperring and Mo Takaloo made sure Maidstone finished at the summit of Group C and leaves tonight’s hosts VCD Athletic facing a trip to their former landlords Lordswood in the quarter-finals.

Maidstone, meanwhile, finish their group campaign on Saturday when pointless Deal Town visit Bourne Park.

After leaving Cheriton Road last month due to “family commitments”, Lindsey admitted he joined Maidstone United because of their management team, their supporters and less travelling.

“I haven’t played for about six, probably longer than that, probably eight weeks and I enjoyed it,” he told www.kentishfootball.co.uk after the game.

“I tired a little during the second half and there we’re a few times I was running in behind - but yes, I did enjoy it.”

Lindsey explained why he dropped two leagues to play in the Kent League for Maidstone United.

“Basically I know Lloyd (Hume) and Alan Walker really well,” he said. “Their the type of guys I want to play for, not like I didn’t want to play for Neil Cugley or anything silly like that, he was a really good manager as well.”

The Gillingham based player added: “It’s more local for me, and I’m not going to be travelling around the M25 like I was.

“I know a lot of the lads as well. It’s a club that looks like they want to go forward so I want to be part of it.”

Lindsey admits his new side are more than capable of clinching the Kentish Observer League title.

“I think they can definitely,” he said. “With the squad they’ve got, with the management and coaching staff there’s no reason why we can’t go on and win the league. No problem whatsoever.”

There were 101 brave soles watching tonight’s 2-0 win at VCD Athletic - and the support the Stones attract was another telling point for him to sign for the club.

“At Folkestone we used to love having Maidstone as one of our pre-season friendlies because they always brought really good support,” he said. “That was another reason why I signed because I knew they had a good fan-base and they follow you everywhere you go.

“That is good for the club and the players when you’re playing at places like this and it’s freezing cold. You’ve got a few fans cheering you on. It can only be good for you.”

Lindsey had coaching duties at Cheriton Road but he is concentrating on just playing - but hasn’t ruled out coaching in the future.

“I just want to concentrate on playing at the moment as we’ve got good coaches (here) anyway.

“I’m still very young, I don’t really want to get involved on the coaching side of it as yet.

“Maybe in two or three years time, I’ll possibly think about doing that but certainly at the moment no. I just want to concentrate on my playing.”

Stones’ boss Lloyd Hume, however, admitted he was “really glad” Lindsey has finally signed for the club.

“Scott will add to what we’ve missed when I’m not playing,” he said. “He adds noise, experience and adds determination but probably most of all he adds organisation for us.

“When I’m playing, and that’s one of the reasons Alan Walker likes me to play, we’re a lot more organised as a side and you probably heard him tonight all the way through the game organising, talking and dictating what we do as a side.

“I’ve been desperate to get him for a couple of years and I’m really glad we’ve finally talked him to come and he’s an absolutely fantastic signing for us at a time we really want to push on.”

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VCD Athletic:  Grant Wallis, Terry Murphy, David Hunt, Paul Foley (Clayton Probets 45), James Brown, Lee Coburn, Stuart Abbott (Alan Owen 55), Mark Horan, Richard Dimmock, Ricky Bennett (Mark Greatorex 13), Ashley Probets.
Subs: Jodie Ricketts, Martin Driscoll

Maidstone United: Richard Mannerings, Aaron Lacy (Nick Hegley 45), Craig Roser, Scott Lindsey, Mario Celaire, Nathan Paul, Jason Barton, Simon Austin, Mo Takaloo., Lee Sperring, Andy Hart (Pat Mullin 77).
Sub: Lloyd Hume


Attendance: 101
Referee: Mr Paul Andrews (Rochester)
Assistants: Mr Malcolm McLean (Marden) & Mr Keith Challonger (Crayford)