Match Report: Torquay (FA Trophy)

Attendance: 1,624 (44 Maidstone supporters)

Two goals from Dajon Golding was enough to see the Stones progress to the Third Round of the FA Trophy following a gritty performance against Torquay United.

With bare bones at George Elokobi’s disposal, the team was shuffled about a bit making three changes in the process, which included a start for Lenny Holden in-between the sticks.

It was Holden that was stealing the show from a Stones perspective in the opening quarter of an hour as he made some big saves to keep the Stones in the tie. The first one came after Dan Hayfield struck a free kick right on the edge of the box to the Stones keeper’s side but it looked like he got a slight fingertip which diverted it onto the post.

Jordan Young looked to try and find the breakthrough himself when he cut in from the right before seeing the shot saved low before Sonny Fish saw the rebound brilliantly denied by Holden.

It seemed to be a turning point as the Stones could finally settle into the game and Jephte Tanga was offering a threat down the right hand side and was starting to put in some decent crosses. Riley Court’s corner found an unmarked Lexus Beeden who looked destined to score but his controlled volley was a bit too difficult to keep down.

Torquay got the football punishment for not taking their chances when they failed to clear Tanga’s cross and a goalmouth scramble then fell to Dajon Golding who lashed the ball into the roof of the net to break the deadlock.

This had the Stones with their tails up as Teo Kurtaran played a lovely curling pass for John Gilbert to run onto but with the angle against him and no one in support, could only drill the effort which blazed over the bar.

However, the Stones would make their dominant spell count when Dajon Golding beat the offside trap before baring down on goal, firing hard and low past James Hamon for his third goal in two games.

Paul Wooton’s side were keen to find a response before the break but found Lexus Beeden in inspiring form as he dealt with pretty much everything they through at him at the back end of the half.

In the second half, Torquay brought on Ed Palmer who asked questions of the Stones back in the league fixture in August and was looking to impress straight away again. At times, the players had to really dig deep but they kept their shape perfectly at times and forced Torquay in the forcing the ball into areas they were never going to get into.

Lenny Holden again was there for the big moments as he tipped over Matt Jay’s awkward downward header from 6 yards out with the net just waiting to bulge. This was shortly followed by a brilliant last ditch challenge from Beeden as he looked to initially lose the physical battle with Palmer but stuck a leg out to block the shot when it looked destined for Torquay to pull one back.

Substitute Antony Papadopoulos was looking to cause a threat on the counter attack in the closing stages as he was threaded through but with the angle slightly against him, was blocked by Hamon.

There was just about enough time for Palmer to create one more chance when a miscommunication at the back allowed the forward with an open goal on the edge of the box. His attempted lob went just wide of the post which summed up Torquay’s day.

Torquay United:

Maidstone United: Dajon Golding 28’, 34’

Torquay United: 1. James Hamon, 3. Jay Foulston, 4. Jordan Dyer, 5. Sam Dreyer (C), 8. Jordan Young, 11. Dylan Morgan (16. Ed Palmer 54 mins), 17. Sonny Fish (2. Denzel Akyeampong 65 mins), 20. Dan Hayfield, 24. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 26. Jordan Thomas, 27. Matt Jay. Subs not used: 13. Matthew Wonnacott, 29. Aidan Edwards.

Maidstone United: 13. Lenny Holden, 2. David Sesay, 3. Leo Hamblin, 4. Lexus Beeden, 5. George Fowler (C), 7. Jephte Tanga (20. Antony Papadopoulos 69 mins), 10. John Gilbert, 12. Dajon Golding (21. Malachi Mbogba 84 mins), 17. Riley Court, 22. Teo Kurtatan, 23. Hamzad Kargbo (14. Kweku Lucan 59 mins). Subs not used: 1. Nathan Harness.