A thoroughly professional performance from Maidstone United saw them win their fourth game in the FA Cup this season and stretch their unbeaten run to 11 matches.
The game got off to a bright start. With two minutes gone, Sam Corne conceded a free-kick out on the right. Bruno Andrade’s ball into the box was met by Callum Adebiyi but his header didn’t trouble Lucas Covolan. Play then switched to the other end and Michael Petrasso drew a routine save from Zaki Oualah.
Then with seven minutes played, the home side came close to opening the scoring. A corner from the right was headed against the angle of the post and bar by Ricardo German which led to a scramble in the box and another Chesham corner.
The deadlock was soon broken though. On 12 minutes, Maidstone strung together a delightful move. It was started by Razzaq Coleman De-Graft who won the ball and played it out to Liam Sole. Sole went an enticing cross into the middle where the excellent Devonte Aransibia came across to score with an exquisite finish.
Not long after this, Sole delivered another fine cross from the right. This time Aransibia’s thumping header went wide.
Another free-kick from Andrade soon caused the Maidstone’s defence problems. This one went across the face of goal where Eoin Casey saw his header glance the post and drop just wide.
On 30 minutes, Sole did well again out on the right. He came inside and his shot was cleared away by Connor Roberts as it travelled towards the goal.
Chesham went close again when a nice through ball put Jordan Edwards in possession. Edwards did well to hold off two Maidstone defenders and his effort was going in until Covolan intervened with a decent save.
Not long before half time, Sole found Coleman De-Graft. Coleman De-Graft’s drive looked to be heading in but Oualah did well to push it behind for a corner.
Early on in the second half, Bone put a good low ball across six yard box. Wanju-Smith stretched but unfortunately couldn’t get the vital touch.
There was then little to note until Maidstone added a second goal 12 minutes from time. Amantchi put a good ball in from the left and substitute Levi Amantchi lashed a volley into the roof of the net.
Three minutes from the end, the Stones had Covolan to thank for keeping Chesham out and preventing a nervy end to the match. Substitute Rhys Murrell-Williamson’s free-kick from just outside the box was heading into the top corner until Covolan made a fantastic flying save.
Chesham United: –
Maidstone United: 11. Devonte Aransibia 12, Levi Amantchi 73
Chesham United: 1. Zaki Oualah, 2. Connor Roberts (11. Kaine Kennedy-Sinclair 90), 3. Lewis Rolfe (12. Rhys Murrell-Williamson 76), 14. Eoin Casey (4. Steve Brown 76), 5. Kieran Murphy, 17. Callum Adebiyi, 6. T’Sharne Gallimore, 8. Harry Rush, 7. Bruno Andrade, 20. Ricardo German, 9. Jordan Edwards (10. Jak Joseph 61). Subs not used: 13. Finn Rushton, 15. Avan Jones, 16. Lesley Duru, 18. Scott Schulton.
Maidstone United: 1. Lucas Covolan, 2. Gavin Hoyte, 5. George Fowler, 6. Raphe Brown, 16. Liam Sole (10. Lemar Reynolds 80), 7. Razzaq Coleman De-Graft (17. Levi Amantchi 63), 15. Sam Bone, 8. Sam Corne, 14. Michael Petrasso (8. Bivesh Gurung 63), 11. Devonte Aransibia, , 9. Sol Wanju-Smith (19. Perri Iandolo 80). Subs not used: 12. Harley Earle, 18. Harry Kyprianou, 3. Riley Court, 4. Tyler Hatton, 21. Elliott Wenham.
