Stones End Grays Unbeaten Run

Maidstone United 2-1 Grays Athletic

Maidstone inflicted Blues first defeat sine February to bring their 11 game unbeaten run to and end in a match that could have gone either way had the visitors adopted a more clinical approach in front of goal.Grays more than matched their lofty opponents and with the scores level on one apiece it was the Blues who were looked the more likely to go on and win the game.

Grays welcomed back Jey Siva to the starting eleven with Harry Agonbar coming in for the suspended Jordan Wilson.Maidstone made the brighter start forcing a corner in the first minute comfortably dealt with by the visitors rearguard.May came close on 11 minutes following a cross into the box his turn and shot going just wide of the post.Parkinson tested Lamar Johnson with a drive which bounced off the keepers chest and was gathered at the second attempt.

Grays weathered the early pressure and gradually started to get their own game going,James Stevens soon finding his range with some of his characteristic pin point passes ably assisted by Skipper Kenny Beaney.Jay Leader was finding space on the right flank combining well with Bradley Fortnum-Tomlinson.

Stevens and Agonbar should have done better with two free kicks both efforts sailing high and wide.Tomlinson then did well with a good run whipping in a fierce cross cleared with a desperate diving header by Watt, Carlos then saw his snapshot saved by Worgan.A Maidstone break saw Bricknell played in on goal but his shot sailed harmlessly wide.

Blues came close on 25 minutes Agonbar fired in a free kick from out wide Worgan was forced to punch clear to Beaney who unleashed a rasping drive that flew just wide of the post.GB Dumaka then broke free but failed to test Worgan with a weak shot but the visitors were now enjoying the lions share of possesion forcing Maidstone on to the back foot.Agonbar came close from another free kick and from a corner Stevens saw his lob volley saved.

Lamar Johnson was called into action with a spectacular diving save from a May header after Stevens gave the ball away carelessly.Tomlinson was now using his pace out wide and sent in a vicious low cross eluding the onrushing Blues forwards.Leader was unlucky with a header from a corner in the dying moments of the half.

After a shaky opening Grays just about shaded the half and could have gone in at halftime in front

HT 0-0

Maidstone made an immediate change at the start of the half bringing on ex Blue Matt Bodkin and it was he who was to have an influence on proceedings in the second period.

Tomlinson made a good run out wide but followed with a weak cross easily cleared by Maidstone.The same player then had a great opportunity to put the Blues in front with only the keeper to beat he elected to pass rather than shoot allowing a Stones defender to clear the danger,Dumaka broke free but poor control allowed the chance to go begging much to the relief off the home fans.

Despite the early Grays momentum Maidstone began to assert some of their own pressure,Bodkin was seeing a lot of the ball which restricted Leaders forward movement, Bodkin's crosses were causing the visitors concern but their goal remained intact until the 51st minute.Sean Cronin who had not put a foot wrong since signing for the club was caught dallying on the ball and lost possession resulting in a corner for the homesters the ball was cleared by Leader at the expense of another corner from which May netted following a scramble in the box.

Grays responded to the goal winning a corner following another good run from Tomlinson but the resultant kick was claimed by Worgan.The goal seemed to momentarily upset the Blues rhythm and they began to give the ball away needlessly,Cronin again was caught in possession,Bodkin fired in a dangerous cross put behind by Leader.

Blues were given a lifeline on 68 minutes when they were awarded a free kick just outside the box,Agonbar and Stevens lined up to take the kick but it was the latter who saw his effort take a deflection of the Stones wall to wrong foot Worgan and nestle in the empty net,it was no more than the visitors deserved given their first half performance.

The goal led to a period of Grays domination as they looked to go on and win the game,Agonbar went on a good run following neat interplay seeing his deflected shot slip just wide of the post.despite the pressure Grays were guilty of overplaying the ball in and around the box when a shot on goal was the better option allowing Maidstone to clear the danger.

Johnson was grateful to see a May header drop into his arms following a Maidstone break,but then on 78 minutes in another moment of hesitation came the Stones winner,Agonbar dwelt on the ball and was dispossessed which some might say could have been deemed a foul but Collin was played in and fired in a drive evading Johnson's despairing dive.

The goal was a bitter blow for the Blues as up until the score were taking the game to Maidstone and looked the more likely get the winner ,Manager Bentley rung the changes bringing on Ferguson,Davidson,and Little to try and salvage a point with time running out .Dumaka had the last real chance of the game but his shot lacked power and trickled wide of the post.

FT Maidstone 2-1-Grays Athletic

Despite the scoreline Blues more than matched their opponents and for periods of the game were the better side playing some neat passing football matched with assured defending and with a little more devilment in front of goal the result could have been so much different.Jay Saunders the Stones manager in his post match interview paid tribute to the Grays team asserting that they were one of the best sides to visit the Gallagher Stadium this season.

As a result of this game Blues dropped to 6th place but can still achieve a playoff place if they win their remaining two games.In the meantime the pressure of league football is off and they can look forward to a League Cup Final against in form Hendon on Wednesday evening at Whyteleaf's ground KO 7.30.Blues will be without cup tied James Stevens and Correy Davidson,and suspended Jordan Wilson for the game but have adequate cover within the squad.

Maidstone United: Worgan Stone Mills Watt Huke Rogers Brown Parkinson May Collin Bricknell
Subs: Miles Bodkin Greenhalgh Paxman Godmon

Grays Athletic: Johnson Leader Siva Cronin Parry Stevens Agombar Beaney Dumaka Fortnam-Tomlinson Carlos
Subs: Ferguson Gough Davidson Bentley Little

To watch match highlights and an interview with manager Mark Bentley go to:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaXUE8lrQY0

With thanks to Yourthurrock for the video