Sol Wanjau-Smith scored his first hat-trick for the club as the Stones overcame a potential banana skin to progress to the Third Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup at the expense of Steyning Town.
With numerous knocks in the camp at the moment, George Elokobi was forced into a few changes in midfield including a change of shape so he brought back Bivesh Gurung following suspension and giving Perri Iandolo his first competitive start for the club.
Backed by a carnival atmosphere at The Shooting Field, the Southern Combination Premier Division side were clear that they were not going to make up the numbers as they looked to frustrate the Stones. Chi Ezennolim was a constant danger in the opening periods of the game as his dangerous crosses were asking questions of the Steyning backline but no one was getting on the end of them.
Steyning’s Charlie Meehan looked to catch Maidstone on the counter attack as he got goal side of Sam Bone but the Stones defender made the all important block to deny the opening goal.
However, just a couple of minutes later, the side from tier 5 of the non-league pyramid were struck with a sucker punch when Bivesh Gurung put a lot of pressure on the Steyning defender on the edge of the box. He won the ball despite strong shouts for bringing down the player and played it for Sol Wanjau-Smith who took a touch away from the defender before calmly finishing past keeper Lucas Szendela-Goetzke.
This gave the Stones the uplift they needed as they continued to dominate most of the possession. Shy of the half hour mark, Ezennolim hit the jackpot with his cross on this occasion as he curled it low and out-swinging towards Wanjau-Smith who managed to slide the ball home from 6 yards out to double his tally for the day.
One man who defences are struggling to keep quiet at the moment, Levi Amantchi was showing his quality as he raced down the left flank before looking to cut on the outside of Lats Oladokun. He fired his shot at the near post but Szendela-Goetzke was equal to it with two strong hands to push it for a corner.
To Steyning’s credit, they refused to give in and waited for their opportunity and just before half-time, they were given a route back into the cup tie. The Stones failed to deal a bounce over the top and Meehan was allowed to race through before slotting the ball past Lucas Covolan which brought sheer delight for the Steyning Town supporters and a moment to savour for them.
Meehan very nearly got The Barrowmen back on level terms just moments after as he cut inside of his man before having his effort tipped over the bar by Covolan. Half-time couldn’t have come quicker as the gaffer looked to calm things down and reset again.
He got the response he wanted 4 minutes into the second half as great work from Iandolo allowed him to cut it back to Wanjau-Smith whose first time shot was brilliantly tipped onto the post but Amantchi was lurking as he reacted quickest to poke home and restore our two goal lead.
Steyning continued to play and from a corner, nearly caused the Stones a big problem when Harry Shooman found himself unmarked but his downward header was well held onto by Covolan.
Wanjau-Smith did eventually get his just rewards when Iandolo had his shot blocked on the edge of the box before falling to the Maidstone number 9 who took it on the half volley and fired it past the helpless Szendela-Goetzke for his third of the afternoon.
The Steyning keeper certainly was determined to keep the score respectable for the home side when he made a tremendous save from Devonte Aransibia’s powerful 25 yard effort which looked destined for the stanchion but for getting a crucial touch to put it onto the post.
The post played it’s part again but this time at the other end as Shooman was sandwiched between two Stones defenders before managing to hit an audacious lob over Covolan despite falling off balance but he was very unlucky as it rolled back off the woodwork.
Substitute Ogo Obi very nearly finished the job for the Stones in style as he raced through but from an acute angle, could only strike his close range effort off the outside of the post.
Steyning Town: Charlie Meehan 42’
Maidstone United: Sol Wanjau-Smith-Smith 17’, 29’, 61’, Levi Amantchi 49’
Steyning Town: 1. Lucas Szendela-Goetzke, 2. Nathan Da Costa, 3. Billy Fuller, 4. Jack Barnes (C), 5. Lats Oladokun, 6. Harry Shooman, 7. Sam Remfry, 8. Charlie Towning, 9. Charlie Meehan, 10. Joe Radley-Martin, 11. Lloyd Francis. Subs: 12. Charlie Robinson, 13. Tyler Pickering, 14. Ryan Hallet, 15. Rob Clark, 16. Ross Edwards, 17. Mark Goldson, 18. Tommy Charlwood.
Maidstone United: 1. Lucas Covolan, 3. Chi Ezennolim (7. Tyler Hatton 88 mins), 5. George Fowler (C), 6. Raphe Brown, 9. Sol Wanjau-Smith, 10. Lamar Reynolds, 11. Devonte Aransibia, 15. Sam Bone, 17. Levi Amantchi (14. Ogo Obi 66 mins), 18. Bivesh Gurung, 19. Perri Iandolo (16. Riley Court 66 mins). Subs not used: 12. Harley Earle, 20. Tyler Jackson-Hunt.
