It was an utterly miserable evening for the Stones as they were thrashed at home by Chelmsford City. Maidstone couldn’t hold onto an early lead and the Clarets scored three late goals to leave the Stones in 20th place with six points from their first seven matches.
There was a fast start from Maidstone. With just 20 seconds gone, Aaron Blair got into a good position but he was denied by a challenge from Sam Gale. However, 38 seconds later, Maidstone took the lead. A long throw from Ben Brookes got flicked on in the box and it fell to Blair who steered the ball into the left side of the net.
George Fowler then went close for the Stones with a half volley before Chelmsford equalised on 20 minutes. Ruaridh Donaldson crossed from the left and Charlie Ruff saw his effort well saved by Alexis Andre Jr but he could only push the ball as far as Osman Foyo who scored with a nice finish.
Maidstone came close to going back in front seven minutes later. Bruno Andrade found Blair inside the area. Blair had room for a shot but he elected for neat layoff into the path of Pierre Fonku only for Ted Collins to make an excellent save and push the ball over the bar.
A free-kick from Jon Benton from close to the touchline clipped the bar before Chelmsford scored to lead at the break. Another long throw from Brookes came out to Charlie Seaman who saw his shot blocked. The Clarets hit Maidstone with a rapid break as Bivesh Gurung could do nothing to stop the rapid Foyo racing towards goal and sending the ball past the stranded Andre Jr.
There was a let off for the Stones early in the second half. Brookes’ attempted pass to Gurung deep in the Maidstone half was short and Donaldson nipped in. Donaldson elected for an early shot but Andre Jr made a comfortable save.
Just past the hour, George Fowler nipped in to win possession and drove forward a couple of yards before firing wide but this was to be the last time that Maidstone threated until three minutes into stoppage time when Seaman drew a good save from Ted Collins in the Chelmsford goal with a free-kick.
It was Chelmsford who looked the more likely of the two sides to score but they weren’t creating much either. That was until the 77th minute when Ruff slipped the ball down the wing to Oscar Thorn whose low cross had to be dealt with by Andre Jnr.
And with seven minutes remaining, the Clarets did extend their advantage. Substitute Freddie Hockey crossed from the left and substitute Raphe Brown could only clear the ball as far as Ruff who lashed it into the net.
Matters got even worse for Maidstone on 89 minutes. Once again Hockey did well, this time down the right, and his low ball into the box caused issues for Temi Eweka and Brown with Ruff taking full advantage.
And one minute later, the Stones conceded for a fifth time. A long ball forward drew Andre Jr from his line and Eweka couldn’t cut it out leaving Hockey with the simple task of knocking the ball into an unguarded net.
Maidstone United: Aaron Blair 1
Chelmsford City: Osman Foyo 20, 45, Ruff 83, 89, Hockey 90
Maidstone United:1. Alexis Andre Jr, 2. Temi Eweka, 3. Ben Brookes, 5.George Fowler, 11. Charlie Seaman, 7. Jon Benton (16. Matt Bentley 80), 12. Arj Kransinqi (17. Riley Court 65), 18. Bivesh Gurung, 15. Bruno Andrade (6. Raphe Brown 55), 19. Pierre Fonkeu (10. Shaq Coulthirst 66),9. Aaron Blair. Subs not used: 13. Lenny Holden.
Chelmsford City: 1. Ted Collins, 3. Ruaridh Donaldson (8. Louis Dunne 90), 11. Kalvin Kalala (6. Callum Watts 66), 15. Arthur Penny, 16. Charlie Ruff (4. Archie Tamplin 90), 17. Sam Oguntayo, 18. Osman Foyo (19. Freddie Hockey 79), 26. Sam Gale, 29. Oscar Thorn, 31 Jordan Greenidge (9. Jake Hyde 64), 32. Paul Appiah. Subs not used:-
