The Stones have advanced to the Final of the Kent Senior Cup for the first time since 2019 after coming back from behind and taking the spoils on penalties against Dartford. It also completes the quadruple of wins in all competitions against their fierce rivals this season.
It has been an enjoyable week at Princes Park for George Elokobi’s men and after an important 2-0 win on Saturday, the gaffer decided to go strong making just two changes to the side with George Fowler and Matt Bentley coming into the starting XI.
It was the home side that came out of the blocks fast as Alex Wall drove a low shot at the near post which Covolan was equal to as he turned it around the post. The clear cut chances were very limited in the first 45, particularly for the Stones as Liam Sole managed to cut a ball back to Muhammadu Faal inside the box but his first time effort was deflected over the bar.
The Darts will have wanted a response after Saturday and they got their answer 10 minutes before the break when Paul Appiah lost possession cheaply which allowed Olly Box to nip in and set up Wall in aches of spaces before firing past Covolan, giving the Stones number 1 absolutely no chance.
It seemed to wake the players up as Matt Bentley nearly grabbed an immediate equaliser but his shot from a very tight angle was kept out by the right boot of Tom Wray. Again, Maidstone showed urgency as Sam Corne found himself on the edge of the box before playing a ball out wide to Sole who crossed low across the 6 yard box but Bentley just couldn’t quite get on the end of it.
The gaffer clearly wasn’t happy with the first half display as the players looked to step it up an extra 10% at the start of the second half but could so easily have fallen 2-0 down. Wall drove a high powerful effort on target which forced Covolan to punch it in the air but managed to grab the ball at the second attempt.
Jephte Tanga who was a real threat on Saturday again looked to show his quality when he took down a high ball superbly before laying the ball off for Corne but blasted the shot well over the bar.
It could have been crucial as Darts substitute Finlay Scillence raced through on goal but couldn’t direct the ball either side of Covolan as he shot straight at the Stones keeper and the defence managed to clear their lines.
A real chance to kill off the tie but it was the Stones that managed to hit back when a handball inside the box provided Sam Corne with a golden opportunity from the spot. As usual, he calmly stepped up and sent Wray the wrong way to level the Semi-Final with just over 10 to play.
After an end to end finish where either side could of nicked it, the game was to be decided from the penalty spot.
After the first 3 kicks were converted, Matt Rush saw his penalty saved by Wray which gave Dartford the upper hand. Unfortunately, they failed to capitalise as Joash Nembhard was denied by Covolan, saving to his right. Tyrell Miller-Rodney then made the same mistake as he went the same way as Nembhard and it was the same result as Covolan made the crucial save.
At 3-3 with one spot kick left for the Stones, Liam Sole whose opening goal on Saturday set us on our way to the 3 points, calmly sent Wray the wrong way to send Maidstone into their first Kent Senior Cup Final since last picking up the trophy back in 2019.
Dartford: Alex Wall 35’
Maidstone United: Sam Corne (pen) 79’
Dartford: 22. Tom Wray, 5. Tyrell Miller-Rodney, 6. Jack Smith, 8. Luke Allen (16. Jeremiah Pinder 54 mins) 9. Alex Wall (25. Jayden Boulton 66 mins), 11. Ibby Akanbi, 12. Max Statham, 14. Manny Adebowale, 15. George Whitefield, 20. Joash Nembhard, 24. Olly Box (27. Finlay Scillence 54 mins). Subs not used: 1. Rhys Hobbs, 26. Louis Earley.
Maidstone United: 1. Lucas Covolan, 5. George Fowler, 8. Sam Corne (C), 9. Matt Bentley, 11. Muhammadu Faal (3. Chi Ezennolim 64 mins), 14. Harry Kyprianou, 15. Paul Appiah (4. Reiss Greenidge 83 mins), 16. Liam Sole, 17. Jephte Tanga, 18. Bivesh Gurung (10. Riley Court 77 mins), 20. Matt Rush. Subs not used: 12. Harley Earle, 19. Sam Smith.
