Match Report: Weston-super-Mare

Unfortunately for the Stones though, the shine was taken off the victory as both Faal and Nathan Harness sustained injuries and had to be substituted.

It was Weston who had the first opportunity. Luke Coulson pumped a free-kick into the box which was headed on by Sam Avery. Nathan Harness spilled the ball but got away with it as Scott Wilson could only run the ball out of play.

Then with 14 minutes gone, Maidstone took the lead. Sam Corne did well to win the ball and he found Muhammadu Faal who took a nice touch to work space in the box before guiding the ball past Max Harris. Sadly for Faal though, his evening was soon ended as he left the field on a stretcher after appearing to go down in agony clutching his knee.

The Stones soon scored a second. On 26 minutes, Jephte Tanga delivered a neat cross and Jamie Yila split the Weston central defenders as he powered his header into the net.

Moments later, Maidstone went close again. Another decent cross from Tanga came to Riley Court this time and his header did not miss by much.

Early on in the second half Court found Tanga who was just outside the box but his rising drive went just over before the Stones suffered another injury blow. Harness fell awkwardly after plucking a cross out of the air and after a lengthy delay, he managed to walk off the pitch to be replaced by Lenny Holden.

Weston then made a triple change and it was one of the substitutes, Louis Britton, who gave the Seagulls a way back into the game. Yila’s back pass was a touch short and substitute Holden’s attempted clearance cannoned off Britton and flew into the net.

There was ten additional minutes at the end of the game. During this, substitute Will Dawes crossed from the left and Britton headed over when well placed. Shortly after, Dawes threw the ball to Jason Pope who crossed for Sam Avery and his header landed on the roof of the net but this was to be the last time that Weston threatened as the Stones held on for the win.

Maidstone United: Muhammadu Faal 14, Jamie Yila 26

Weston-Super-Mare: Louis Britton 79

Maidstone United: 1. Nathan Harness (13. Lenny Holden 66), 3. Leo Hamblin, 5. George Fowler, 6. TJ Bramble (2. David Sesay 88), 7. Jephte Tanga, 8. Sam Corne, 11. Jamie Yila (19. Ruben Carvalho 80), 15. David Agbontohoma, 17. Riley Court (10. John Gilbert 85), 22. Muhammadu Faal (9. Deon Moore, 25), 24. Taylor Foran. Subs not used: 23. Hamzad Kargbo.

Weston-super-Mare: 1. Max Harris, 3. Dominic Bernard, 5. Dan Ellison (4. Jacob Cane 45), 6. Sam Avery, 7. Luke Coulson, 8. Leo Pecover (23. Will Dawes 69), 11. Scott Wilson (16. Luke Spokes 69), 14. Jason Pope, 15. Emlyn Lewis, 17. Ollie Dewsbury (9. Louis Britton 69), 19. Tommy Blackwell. Subs not used: 13. Jakob Glover, 12. Owen Johnson, 18. Ricardo Thompson.