Maidstone United 4-1 Dartford

MAIDSTONE UNITED 4-1 DARTFORD
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 3^rd March 2007
Stephen McCartney reports from Bourne Park

Maidstone United enhanced their championship winning chances with a satisfying 4-1 win over local rivals Dartford today.

The Stones’ highest crowd of the season saw their side win their seventh successive league game to remain two points clear of Hastings United, with two games in hand, at the top of the Ryman League Division One South table.

Despite overnight rain putting this eagerly-anticipated derby in doubt, the game went ahead courtesy of the efforts of Sittingbourne’s chairman Mr Andy Spice, his ground staff, and Hampshire referee Mr James Evamy, who insisted the game would go ahead if the rain stayed away.

Luckily it did, but the poor playing conditions had a baring on team selections as Alex Tiesse and Ryan Hayes started the game on the substitutes bench.

Maidstone United adapted to the poor conditions and dominated the first half and deserved their two goal interval lead, against a fourth placed Dartford side that’s used to playing on an excellent playing surface at Princes Park.

Playmaker Hayes’ place was taken by Ted Ansell, whilst Brad Potter and Carl Bruce were drafted into the team for suspended pair John Guest and Mark Green.

Maidstone United, meanwhile, made just one change from their side that won 4-1 at Croydon Athletic seven days ago, with Lynden Rowland replacing quick striker Tiesse.

But the move paid off as Rowland went on to score a brace and fellow strikers Mo Takaloo and Simon Austin also got on the score sheet to stun their Kentish rivals.

Darts striker Brendon Cass, meanwhile, scored his 26^th goal of the season with a well executed volley with 23 minutes remaining to bring the score back to 2-1.

And it was Maidstone United who drew first blood by taking the lead inside the opening thirteen minutes.

Darts’ central defender Richard Avery failed to deal with Craig Roser’s ball over the top and Rowland initial shot was blocked by goalkeeper Tony Kessell.

But Rowland drove home the rebound with a left-footed shot from 16-yards to the delight of the Stones faithful.

Kessell became the first of only three players to be booked by Mr Evamy when, in the 23^rd minute, he picked up the ball outside his penalty area on the right hand side.

Steve Norman’s left-footed free-kick presented Dartford with another half chance after 31 minutes, but Brad Potter’s towering header glanced wide.

Kessell, the busiest of the two goalkeeper’s during the first half, was never going to be beaten by Nick Hegley or Takaloo’s quickly taken free-kick.

But Takaloo did issue Dartford a warning two minutes before he doubled their lead.

A hanging free-kick from Aaron Lacy on the left hand side was retrieved by Ryan Royston.

The Stones’ central defender delivered an out-swinging right-footed cross from the by-line and this was met Takaloo but after bringing the ball down the striker blazed over from eight-yards.

Kessell made a fine double save to thwart both Takaloo and Rowland before the Stones doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time.

Lacy’s in-swinging corner from the left was glanced onto his own crossbar by Dartford skipper Tommy Osborne and Takaloo was on hand to poke the ball into the net from close range.

But Dartford’s best chance of the game fell to their leading scorer Cass after 52 minutes.

Norman’s free-kick was flicked on by Jay May and Cass’ shot from 16-yards trickled agonisingly past the foot of the far post.

This golden opportunity sparked the Darts into life and James Carter came off the bench as the visitors went three men up front to try to salvage something from the game.

And they almost pulled a goal back from their first corner of the game after 58 minutes.

Norman’s corner was flicked on by Carter and Pat Mullin made a brave reaction save to prevent Cass scoring.

Hayes finally came off the substitutes bench and within seconds the Darts had scored.

The talented winger, who replaced midfielder Eddie McClements, was told to return to the half-way line by the match officials after running onto the pitch from the wrong place.

And within seconds, Dartford’s second half pressure paid off as Cass unleashed a looping volley that dropped into the roof of Mullin’s net from sixteen yards.

But it was the Stones that went on to seal a vital three points.

Royston, who ghosted in at the far post, blazed Sam Tydeman’s 73^rd minute free-kick over the bar but the offside flag had already been raised by the time the central defender got his shot away.