Ryman Premier
Maidstone United 2 v 1 Grays Athletic
DEFEAT was no disgrace as Grays Ath went down fighting against league leaders, Maidstone United.
In front of over 2.000 fans, Grays had chances but Maidstone just had the edge.
The first few minutes saw Grays Ath adapting to the 3G surface at Maidstone and perhaps for that reason, the early pressure was all Maidstone.
Grays were not helping themselves with a series of unforced errors.
But for all the early pressure, it was Grays Ath who won the first penalty of the game but it came to nothing.
At the other end, A Frannie Collin shot flashed across the Grays goal to remind the Blues what a dangerous striker he is.
Grays build-up play was impressive as they, at times, walked past the Kent midfield and defence.
Dumebi Dumaka was given The Stones all sorts of problems. Unlike James Stevens 17th minute free kick which sailed all the way over the bar and was last seen on the River Medway.
Grays looked like they were enjoying the surface especially Harry Agombar who showed great touches.
In the 27th minute, Grays earned a free kick on left side of the Maidstone box. Harry Agombar sent it over and the keeper, Lee Worgan did well to punch it away. The ball came out to Kenny Beaney whose shot just went wide of the right hand post.
But for all their good work, the unforced errors made by Grays were worrying. Manny Parry got caught a few times in the first half hour.
The Grays chances were now coming and Maidstone were starting to get frustrated. However, a fine header brought out a great save from Lamar Johnson.
Just before half time, a shot from Fortnam-Tomlinson skirted across the goalmouth.
Grays came flying out of the traps in the second half and should have scored in the 48th minute when Dumaka found space in the centre passed to Tomlinson on the right but his shot was brushed away on the line.
Maidstone’s first corner of the second half brought the first goal as Jay May bundled
the ball home from close range. Needless to say, the corner was conceded after an unforced error.
Maidstone were overjoyed and pressed hard to score the second. Former Blues winger Matt Bodkin had come on at half time and made life very difficult for Grays.
However, Grays got back in the game with a slice of luck. In the 68th minute, a James Stevens free kick took a wicked defection off the Maidstone defence and went into the goal.
The Maidstone second goal came from a superb shot by Frannie Collin in the 78th minute as he thumped it from 30 yards and into the net.
Grays Ath never really got back in the game and Maidstone were able to see out the rest of the game, relatively comfortably.
Maidstone United: Worgan L, Stone C, Mills T, Watt S, Huke S, Rogers J, Brown A (Greenhalgh B 75), Parkinson J (Bodkin M 45) , May J, Collin F, Bricknell B
Subs not used: Miles S, Paxman J, Godmon W
Grays Ath: Johnson L, Leader J, Siva J, Cronin S, Parry M, Stevens J (Little G 85), Agombar H (Davidson C 79), Beaney K, Dumaka D, Fortnam-Tomlinson B, Carlos J.
Subs not used: Ferguson N, Gough C,Bentley M,
Ref Mr R Smith
Att: 2094
