10thjuly05

Sunday 10th July 2005

Stones' new boys spot on

Manager Lloyd Hume entered a Maidstone United team into a five-a-side tournament at Snodland Community Centre last weekend and saw his "scratch" squad walk away with the winners trophy.

The 20 team tournament was played in four groups of five teams and The Stones qualified through the opening stage as runners-up with two draws in their first two games followed by two wins.

The quarter-final, semi-final and final were all drawn, with Maidstone winning on penalties on each occasion.

Lloyd Hume had entered the team through his connections with Snodland Football Club (Matt Hume is their manager) as a "family favour" and saw the event as an ideal opportunity to get some of his new signings to meet some of the club's established players in a relaxed environment.

The squad on the day was Pat Mullin, Aaron Lacy, Ryan Royston, Simon Austin, Mo Takaloo and trialist Wayne Lawrence.

Summer signing from Beckenham Town, Mario Celaire also played and brought along his former team mate at Eden Park Avenue, wing-back, Nathan Paul.

Goals, not including penalties, were scored by former Ramsgate striker, Takaloo (2), Celaire, Austin, Lacy and Royston.

Meanwhile, the Stones were training in Mote Park in the build up for the upcoming friendlies over the weekend.

There was a full turnout from the squad with Hume looking at fitness before moving onto ball work.

The squad were joined by trialists, including former Maidstone player, Bradley Sandeman, who played half a match for Dover Athletic last season.

The Stones have announced one further friendly to their pre-season campaign, with a trip to Bearsted on Thursday 21st July.

Hume and coach Alan Walker will use the game, which kicks off at 7pm, as way to asses a number of trialists.

090705_5aside2.jpg (68394 bytes)

Former Beckenham Town star Mario Celaire tastes early success at his new club Maidstone United

Article and photographs:
www.maidstoneunited.co.uk