Missed chances key as purple patch ends
PRICE PAID AS SECOND-HALF OPPORTUNITIES TO PUT RESULT BEYOND REACH NOT TAKEN Maidstone
Maidstone’s five-game unbeaten run came to an end with a 3-2 defeat against Gore Court in Kent/Sussex Regional 1.
The hosts started slowly and were made to pay for some defensive errors when Court beat keeper Mike Smith from a short corner.
A lesson in playing to the whistle helped Maidstone draw level, when while Court players bemoaned a decision with the umpire, a quick counter-attack found coach Greg Laurenson who fired home just outside the attacking circle.
And they went 2-1 up before half-time when a Joe Martin run and pass found Joe Broadbent to flick the ball into the empty net.
Maidstone started the second half in a positive fashion and had chances to extend their lead but shots flashed wide and they saw the ball cleared off the line three times.
Court levelled things up and, despite the heroics of player-of-the-match Smith, they hit the winner from a penalty flick.
The men’s 5ths ended Folkestone 6ths’ 100% record with a 4-2 win in Kent Open Division 3.
They outplayed the visitors from the start with Will Day opening the scoring.
Simon Wood then doubled the lead before Folkestone pulled one back before the break.
Further goals from Day and Zach Quinn put Maidstone in control before Folkestone grabbed a consolation late on.
The ladies’ 1sts returned with a point from their trip to play Broxbourne in East League Premier.
Maidstone started brightly but failed to make the most of three short corners before reverting to a counter-attacking style as their hosts applied pressure.
The second half saw both sides have chances to score, with Maidstone keeper Jen Vincent and defender Hannah Durston working hard to maintain the clean sheet.
Maidstone thought they had clinched all three points late on but despite Claire Daniels’ brilliant strike, the umpire had already ended the advantage and had blown for a short corner.
The 3rds let a two-goal lead slip against University of Kent in Kent Division 2.
Carly Brinn and Emily Beacon both netted within the first 10 minutes and player-of-the-match, while Maddy Jarvis controlled the midfield.
The students re-grouped at the break and came out fighting, levelling things up. Maidstone had a chance to snatch a winner after a shot was illegally stopped on the line but they missed from the spot. Kent beat Middlesex 124-115 in their opening Liberty Indoor Trophy game of the season at North Finchley. They made hard work of it, despite being pre-match favourites and looked to be heading for defeat at one stage. Kent led by 13 shots after five ends but then trailed by four. They fought back to lead by 22 shots after 15 ends, only for the home county to pull things back well to close a 20-point deficit to two before going eight shots up with 12 ends to play. Kent regained their nerve in the latter stages to help team manager Mick Collins celebrate his birthday with a victory but he will be looking for a much-improved performance against Surrey in the New Year.