Match Report: AFC Totton

Following the defeat at Chesham, George Elokobi bought Lexus Beeden and Christie Pattisson into the starting lineup with Nathan Harness making the bench after recovering from concussion. There was also a space amongst the substitutes for the returning Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong.

There was plenty of action in the first half, with the Stones playing some neat football. With just two minutes gone, Tanga picked up the ball and drove into the box only for Ryan Gosney to get a foot to his shot and divert it away from goal.

Maidstone kept the ball neatly with Pattison passing to George Fowler who moved it onto Jamie Yila. Yila came inside and had a sight of goal but his effort missed the target.

On 10 minutes, Ralph Vigrass got in to a decent position but he shot straight at Lenny Holden. Then at the other end, the Stones moved the ball forward quickly and Tanga’s drive flew over the bar.

AFC Totton went very close when Tony Lee’s volley from 25 yards had Holden beaten but it went inches wide. And Maidstone nearly profited when Yila worked hard to charge down Luke Bennett’s clearance leaving Gosney to have to react quickly to concede a corner.

Holden made a comfortable diving save to deny Ashley Clarke before Maidstone edged in front on 38 minutes. Riley Court drove an enticing ball all the way across the six yard box which was picked up by Beeden. Beeden knocked it back to TJ Bramble who put the ball into the area and it was met by George Fowler’s whose header flew into the net.

The opening stages of the second half were less action intensive in terms of goalmouth action although the Stones went close on 52 minutes. Yila cut the ball back for Pattison and Court slid in but there was a deflection that took the ball behind for a corner.

Then all of a sudden, Totton equalised on 70 minutes. A corner was headed back across by Tyler Cordner and Christie Ward’s header close the right post was adjudged to have crossed the line, despite Court diving to try and nod it away.

Maidstone made a double substitution on 77 minutes with Hamzad Kargbo and David Sesay replacing Yila and Beeden. Kargbo made an instant impact as he flicked on a kick from Holden to Court. Court then fed substitute John Gilbert who fired a confident finish past Gosney.

Two minutes from time, the Stones made sure of the victory. Totton couldn’t stop Court racing on to the ball and although Gosney made a good save, he could do nothing to prevent Tanga arriving to lash the ball into the net.

Maidstone United: George Fowler 38, John Gilbert 78, Jephte Tanga 88

AFC Totton: Christie Ward 70

Maidstone United: 13. Lenny Holden, 3. Leo Hamblin, 4. Lexus Beeden (2. David Sesay 77), 5. George Fowler, 6. TJ Bramble, 7. Jephte Tanga, 8. Sam Corne, 11. Jamie Yila (23. Hamzad Kargbo 77), 17. Riley Court (26. Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong 89), 20. Christie Pattisson (10. John Gilbert 66), 24. Taylor Foran. Subs not used: 1. Nathan Harness, 14. Mark Boruk, 21. Malachi Mbogba.

AFC Totton: 13. Ryan Gosney, 5. Luke Hallett, 7. Ashley Clarke, 10. Tony Lee (11. Malachi Linton 69), 12. Jake Grante (4. Michael Carter 87), 17. Declan Rose, 19. Christie Ward, 22. Luke Bennett (6. Dan O’Connor 45), 23. Ralph Vigrass (32. Dylan Andrews 87), 24. Vaughn Covil, 24. Tyler Cordner. Subs not used:  27. Craig Tanner.