The Stones are now unbeaten in 12 matches in all competitions as for the second game in a row, Devonte Aransibia and Levi Amantchi were on target for Maidstone as they eased to a win over struggling Eastbourne.
This game might have had a different outcome had the Sports taken their good chance with just three minutes gone. Decarrey Sheriff came in off the wing and crossed for Fletcher Holman who headed the ball goalwards only for Lucas Covolan to make a superb save.
After this, Maidstone enjoyed a lot more of the ball and carved out a few opportunities. On 16 minutes, Aransibia, who picked up from where he left off on Saturday with another fine performance, put in an inviting cross which Sol Wanju-Smith came close to connecting with as Eastbourne got the ball behind for a corner. From this, another decent delivery from Aransibia went to Raphe Brown whose near post header didn’t miss by much.
Not long after this, Eastbourne survived a penalty scare when Archie Procter appeared to handle the ball as he brought it under control inside the area. Then another decent free-kick from Aransibia was met by George Fowler and some how the Sports got the ball behind for a corner. This one was sent into the box by Aransibia and Brown’s header down into the ground bounced inches over the bar.
However, the visitors did concede a penalty four minutes before the break. Brad Berry brought down Wanju-Smith inside the box and the referee, Mr Robinson, sensibly allowed Matt Rush to shoot wide before awarding the spot kick. Aransibia took the penalty and sent Ben Dudzinksi the wrong way to register his second goal in two matches.
Eastbourne should have immediately equalised. Holman was put through into space on the left and he picked out Zac Emmerson who blazed over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
With the game in first half stoppage time, Aransibia’s corner eventually came to Fowler. Fowler struck a side footed volley which clipped the top of the bar.
Early on in the second half, Bone drove a strong shot towards goal which was well blocked by Quick. The Stones kept on pressing and Razzaq Coleman De-Graft’s effort struck the left post.
Wanju-Smith then went close with a shot which deflected just wide of the post before Maidstone extended their lead. Liam Sole slipped the ball down the line to Aransibia who put another perfect cross into the middle and inevitably substitute Levi Amantchi, who had only been on the pitch six minutes, was on hand to volley the ball past Dudzinksi.
In the first minute of stoppage time, Maidstone nearly added some gloss to the scoreline. Subsitute Michael Petrasso carved out room for a low drive which Dudzinksi did well to turn behind for a corner.
Maidstone United: Devonte Aransibia 42 (pen), Levi Amantchi 70
Eastbourne Borough: –
Maidstone United: 1. Lucas Covolan, 2. Gavin Hoyte (10. Lemar Reynolds 55), 5. George Fowler, 6. Raphe Brown, 16. Liam Sole, 7. Razzaq Coleman De-Graft (17. Levi Amantchi 64), 15. Sam Bone, 8. Bivesh Gurung, 11. Devonte Aransibia, 9. Sol Wanju-Smith (20. Michael Petrasso 84, 14. Matt Rush. Subs not used: 12. Harley Earle, 19. Perri Iandolo.
Eastbourne Borough: 1. Ben Dudzinksi, 3. Archie Procter, 4. Brad Barry (14. Yaser Kasim 55), 5. Dan Quick, 8. Jack Clarke (28. George Brown 75), 11. Decarrey Sheriff, 16. Freddie Carter, 18. Fletcher Holman, 20. Leone Gravata, 21. Zac Emmerson (17. Alfie Bridgman 61), 22. Billy Vigar. Subs not used: 13. Harrison Foulkes, 12. Jay Beckford.