A header from Raphe Brown was enough to give the Stones their 14th win of the season as Maidstone kept pace with Torquay and Boreham Wood at the top of the National League South.
Weymouth have won only two games all season, and have picked up just three points in their last ten matches. The Terras face an uphill battle to avoid relegation as they are already 12 points adrift of safety.
Maidstone made three changes to the starting line up against Chesham United on Saturday. Raphe Brown, Bivesh Gurung and Tayt Trusty came in for Reece Greenidge, Jordan Higgs and Shaquile Coulthirst who all dropped to the bench.
minutes gone, Charlie Seaman sent over a delightful cross from the right which was met by Aaron Blair. Blair couldn’t keep his header down and it went over the bar.
Maidstone did edge in front on 26 minutes though. Ben Brookes’ corner was only cleared as far as Sam Corne who recycled the ball to Brookes and his lovely cross was expertly met by Brown who had made space to head the ball down into the ground and it bounced up into the net.
Shortly after this, Charlie Seaman’s low drive was going in until Will Buse made a fine save. Gurung reacted quickly to get to the rebound and it was cleared off the line.
Seaman then found George Fowler out wide. Fowler made progress down the right before hitting a low shot which went inches wide of the far post.
Weymouth made an early substitution in the second half with Ben Greenwood replacing Harrison Day, who had joined on-loan from Dagenham and Redbridge earlier on Tuesday. Greenwood had an almost immediate impact as he was fouled in the box. Brandon Goodship assumed responsibility for the penalty and he sent Alexis Andre Jr the wrong way but he also dragged the spot free-kick well wide of the left post.
By now, Weymouth appeared to be growing in confidence and they continued to cause the Maidstone defence issues. A long throw into the box was met by Tayt Trusty. Trusty could only clear the ball as far as Jake McCarthy whose volley fizzed inches wide. Then the same combination of players saw McCathy’s effort from distance deflect off Trusty and it only just cleared the bar.
With 74 minutes gone, the Terras worked the ball to Ibrahim Meite who was in a good position inside the box. Just as Meite went to pull the trigger, George Fowler made a superb challenge to deny the Weymouth striker.
Any hopes the home side had of getting anything from the game were extinguished with a minute remaining. Calvin Brooks appeared to lead with his arm as he clattered into Gurung in midfield and was shown a red card as Maidstone held on for another away win.
Weymouth: –
Maidstone United: Raphe Brown 26
Weymouth: 1. Wil Buse, 17. Calvin Brooks, 18. Corey Jordan, 5. Jordon Thompson, 3. Leo Hamblin, 14. Jake McCarthy, 8. Tom Bearwish, 10. Brandon Goodship, 9.Malachi Linton, 12. Harrison Day (11. Ben Greenwood 56), 20. Ibrahim Meite. Subs not used: 2. Brooklyn Gensini, 15. Jordan Maguire-Drew, 16 Euan Pollock, 12. Joe Thomas.
Maidstone United:1. Alexis Andre Jr, 5.George Fowler, 2. Temi Eweka, 6. Raphe Brown (4. Reiss Greenidge 85), 3. Ben Brookes, 18. Bivesh Gurung, 11. Charlie Seaman, 8. Sam Corne (7. Jordan Higgs 77), 14. Tayt Trusty, 15. Sol Wanju-Smith (10. Shaquile Coulthirst 80), 9. Aaron Blair. Subs not used: 13. Lenny Holden, 17. Riley Court.
