Match Report: Farnborough

A solitary goal from John Gilbert, his ninth of the season, was enough to give Maidstone their second victory in a row at the Gallagher Stadium.

The first half was quiet in terms of goalmouth action. There was an early blow for the Stones as captain Sam Corne was forced off on 18 minutes and was replaced by Jamie Yila but there was then little else to note until the 37th minute. A Stones corner was met by Hamzad Kargbo and it hit Ollie Robinson but Renny Smith was alert to head it away from the line.

Seconds later, Maidstone carved out a decent opportunity. Karbo slipped a neat ball into TJ Bramble who ran into the area but from a tight angle, his shot went high and wide. Then with the half time whistle imminent, Kargbo sliced a volley over.

Five minutes into the second half, Boyd Beacroft was penalised for hand ball close to the edge of the box. Riley Court took the resultant free-kick and his curling effort clipped the bar.

Jephte Tanga laid the ball into the path of John Gilbert. Gilbert was close to the edge of the box and he fired over. Then not long after this, a long throw into the box from David Agbontohoma lead to a scramble in the box. Kargbo managed to get a shot away but Joe Duncan in the Farnborough goal made the block.

It wasn’t until the 66th minute that Boro finally threated. Hakeem Sandah shot from outside the area and Lenny Holden pushed it over the bar to concede a corner.

Then on 72 minutes, Maidstone edged in front. A decent long ball forward from Leo Hamblin put Gilbert in and he went past Duncan before lifting a confident finish into the far side of the net.

The goal gave the Stones confidence. Substitute Christie Pattisson, returning to the Stones after being an integral part of the National League South title winning side in 2022, played a simple pass to George Fowler. Fowler’s cross was met by Taylor Foran and he headed wide.

Beacroft then picked out Bingham with a nice ball. Just as Bingham went to shoot, Fowler arrived to make an important interception.

Pattisson was involved again when he hit a fierce effort which fizzed just side. He then had an even better chance moments later when Duncan dropped a cross under pressure from Tanga and the ball dropped to Pattisson who lashed it over the bar.

On 85 minutes, Farnborough had a good chance to equalise. Bower’s cross came to Bingham and when well placed, he headed just wide. And as the game ticked over into stoppage time, Beacroft’s low drive was on target. However, the ball was cleared away from inside the six yard box by Foran.

Maidstone United: John Gilbert 72

Farnborough: –

Maidstone United: 13. Lenny Holden, 15. David Agbontohoma, 24. Taylor Foran, 3. Leo Hamblin, 5. George Fowler, 6. TJ Bramble, 8. Sam Corne (11. Jamie Yila 18 (14. Mark Boruk 90+5), 7. Jephte Tanga, 10. John Gilbert, 17. Riley Court, 23. Hamzad Kargbo (20. Christie Pattisson 70). Subs not used: 2. David Sesay, 4. Lexus Beeden, 21. Malachi Mbogba, 30. Chris Swift.

Farnborough: 14. Joe Duncan, 3. Michael Stickland, 5. Ollie Robinson (11. Micah Anthony 79), 30. Louie Holzman, 2. Boyd Beacroft, 8. Alfie Tuck (28. Michael Klass 70), 16. Renny Smith, 19. Toby Bower, 24. Hakeem Sandah (27. Courtney Senior 79), 26. Mason Bloomfield (9. Rakish Bingham 45), 10. Wesley Fonguck (4. Bily Clifford 60). Subs not used: 7. Glenn Gabriel.