A thumping header from Temi Eweka one minute from time gave Maidstone United the three points away at St Albans City.

George Elokobi made two changes from the final pre-season friendly against Whitehawk. At the back, Sam Smith came in for Reece Greenidge and Arj Kransinqi was replaced by Sam Corne. Maidstone were also forced into an early substitution after Charlie Seaman was caught in a tackle and fell awkwardly and Riley Court came on with just 30 minutes played.

St Albans looked the stronger of the two sides in the first half with the Stones employing a cautious approach. Ken Charles looked particularly lively for the home side and on 10 minutes he put a low ball into the box which Smith was alert to, and he conceded a corner.

Maidstone created their first opportunity on 25 minutes. Matt Bentley got into a promising position inside the area but he couldn’t get his shot away. The ball came back out of the box to Sam Corne and his effort didn’t miss by much.

There was a let off for the Stones late on in the first half. Smith accidentally gave the ball to Charles who advanced into space and curled the ball just past the right post.

With 45 minutes on the clock, Maidstone appealed loudly for a penalty after it looked like there might have been a handball in the box following a Ben Brookes corner. No penalty was forthcoming and the half ended with Alexis Andre Jr make a decent stop to deny Charles who had struck a fierce snap shot.

The Stones had the advantage of kicking down the slope in the second half and it showed as Maidstone dominated and Andre Jr had very little to do. On 57 minutes, Blair controlled the ball well in the box and then Bentley ran into ensure the move stayed alive. The ball came to Shaq Couthirst and from a tight angle, he lifted the ball over the bar.

Unfortunately for Maidstone, there was another injury blow when Jordan Higgs appeared to hurt his ankle or foot in a tackle in midfield. The Stones didn’t let this disrupt their flow and Blair got into another good position before unselfishly slipping the ball to Bentley who fell as he shot and Michael Johnson made a comfortable save.

Twelve minutes from time, the Stones had a glorious opportunity to take the lead. Substitute Jon Benton flicked the ball on with his head into the path of Blair. Blair only had Johnson to beat and he went for a chipped finish which went past the left post.

Corne was then fouled a good 25 yards from goal. Brookes took the resultant free-kick and his thumping effort only just cleared the bar.

Brookes was to have a hand in the winner though. With 89 minutes played, he delivered the perfect corner from the right and it was met by Eweka. He sent his header into the net much to the delight of the large number of Stones fans amassed behind the goal and ensured that Maidstone’s season got off to a winning start.

St Albans City: –

Maidstone United: Temi Eweka 89

St Albans City: 1. Michael Johnson, 2. Jack James, 5. Daniel Bowry, 6. David Longe-King, 7. Ken Charles (9. Shaun Jeffers 76), 8. Alfie Payne, 11. Zane Banton (4. Ben Smith 83), 14. Josh Castiglione (10. Romeo Akinola 71), 18. Sam Deadfield (19. Sam Meakes 90), 20. Gio Rasulo, 22. Joe Partington. Sub not used: 27. Kieran Gauthier.

Maidstone United 1. Alexis Andre Jr, 2. Temi Eweka, 5.George Fowler, 20. Sam Smith, 11. Charlie Seaman (17. Riley Court 30), 7. Jordan Higgs (14. Jon Benton 63), 8. Sam Corne, 3. Ben Brookes, 16. Matt Bentley (19. Pierre Fonkeu 90), 9. Aaron Blair, 10. Shaq Coulthirst (12. Arj Kransinqi 63). Sub not used: 13. Lenny Holden.