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The Stones’ pre-season preparations continued with a trip to Neil Smith’s Croydon Athletic but the home side’s victory means Maidstone are yet to taste success in three matches.
The Stones started brightly and on two minutes a good move down the right saw James Pinnock whip in a dangerous cross which Jay Saunders hooked over the bar before Saunders was involved again on nine minutes when he connected with a decent corner from Dean Hernandez-Bradshaw only to head the ball over.
Four minutes later, Croydon had their first attempt on goal when Tom Bolarinwa got the better of Shannon O’Donovan and raced down the right before cutting into the box but he failed to hit the target with his curling shot.
Then on 23 minutes, Jamie Turner was called into action for the first time when Gary Noel went clear of James Peacock and hit a low shot goalwards but Turner made a smart block and then Croydon should have taken the lead on the stroke of half time when Ben Godfrey received the ball just yards from goal but he headed the ball straight at Turner.
However, the home side did edge in front on 47 minutes when substitute Scott Forrester took advantage of hesitation from Turner and Peter Hawkins and rounded the Maidstone keeper before slotting the ball in from a tight angle.
Nine minutes later, Croydon doubled their lead when The Stones’ defence momentarily went to sleep and substitute Chris O’Flaherty found himself with Turner to beat but he trod on the ball and presented the opportunity to Noel who calmly side footed the ball into the net.
Substitute Dan Stubbs then gave Maidstone hope on 75 minutes when his free-kick from 25 yards took a deflection and flew past substitute keeper Adam Peck but the visitors could not force an equaliser in the remaining time.
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Croydon Athletic: Scott Forrester 47, Gary Noel 56
Maidstone United: Dan Stubbs 75
Croydon Athletic First Half: Ross Flitney, Joe Howe, Justin Gregory, Neil Smith, John Mundee, Jeremy Williams, Tom Bolarinwa, Danny Waldren, Ben Godfrey, Gary Noel, Jordan Wilson.
Croydon Athletic Second Half: Ross Flitney, Joe Howe, Justin Gregory, John Mundee, Danny Waldren, Scott Forrester, Ben Rayner, Gary Noel, Danny Moody, Chris O’Flaherty, Romauld Bouadji.
Maidstone United: Jamie Turner, Nathan Paul, Shannon O’Donovan (Tom Parkinson 60), Alan Pouton (Jimmy Bottle 45), Peter Hawkins, James Peacock,Nick Barnes , Jay Saunders, James Pinnock (Keelan Mooney 45), Shaun Beveney (Lheureux Menga 60), Dean Hernandez-Bradshaw (Dan Stubbs 51).
Alan Walker
Starts 15 August
Pictures from Steve Terrell
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