Two goals from Levi Amantchi and one each from Sol Wanju-Smith and Razzaq Coleman De-Graft saw Maidstone United thrash the National League South’s early pace setters Worthing.

With 14 minutes played, Raphe Brown wasn’t quite able to clear his lines. Danny Cashman picked up the loose ball and threaded it through to Nicky Wheeler whose low effort didn’t trouble Lucas Covolan in the Maidstone goal.

Play immediately swung to the other end with a long ball downfield. Levi Amantchi flicked it into the path of Sol Wanju-Smith who dispatched a confident finish past Roco Rees.

Worthing had a chance when Wheeler’s corner towards the near post was met by the arriving Cashman. However, the angle was tight and Cashman put the ball wide from close range. Not long after this, Joel Colbran delivered an enticing cross from the right which was met by Wheeler and his glancing header was stopped by the diving Covolan.

Then on 32 minutes, the Stones extended their lead. Conor Kelly’s corner was headed up by Sam Bone and with Rees unable to get it clear, Amantchi reacted quickly to head in from only a couple of yards out.

Five minutes after the break, a throw from Sam Bone went to Wanju-Smith. He played the ball into Lamar Reynolds who was initially in space in the box and he found Amantchi who shot into the side netting. Shortly after this, Chi Ezennolim won a corner which Kelly took and Wanju-Smith’s effort on the turn went just inches wide.

Maidstone were to get a third goal though. On 55 minutes, Joe Rye accidentally passed to Lamar Reynolds who quickly sent in a cross and Amantchi scored with a fine finish after bringing the ball under control and didn’t let it touch the ground as he volleyed it into the net.

Worthing’s afternoon showed no sign of improving. Odei Martin Sorondo was booked for what appeared to be dissent and then within a minute, was booked again for dissent and so was sent off. The Rebels did then have an opportunity. Former Maidstone striker Jake Robinson, who had replaced another former Stones player, Joan Luque, had a diving header stopped by Covolan.

Covolan was soon involved again, as he had to make another easy stop. Joe Felix put in a cross from the right and Wheeler couldn’t quite fully connect with the ball so his effort lacked power.

Late on, substitute Razzaq Coleman De-Graft came in off the wing. His shot was on target but it took a notable deflection and flew over. But Coleman De-Graft was to get on the scoresheet with a similar strike on 89 minutes and this time there was no deflection as it went past Rees to round off an excellent afternoon for the Stones.

Maidstone United: Sol Wanju-Smith 15, Levi Amantchi 32, 55, Razzaq Coleman De-Graft 89

Worthing: –

Maidstone United: 1. Lucas Covolan, 6. Raphe Brown, 5. George Fowler, 15. Sam Bone, 10. Lamar Reynolds, 18. Bivesh Gurung (17. Harry Kyprianou 78), 20. Conor Kelly, 11.Devonte Aransibia, 3. Chi Ezennolim, 9. Sol Wanju-Smith (14. Ogo Obi 71), 17. Levi Amantchi (7. Razzaq Coleman De-Graft 81). Subs not used: 12. Harley Earle, 19. Perri Iandolo.

Worthing: 1. Roco Rees, 2. Joel Colbran, 5. Aarran Racine, 6. Joe Rye, 23. Joe Felix, 14. Odei Martin Sorondo, 20. Ricky Aguir, 21. Joan Luque (9. Jake Robinson 57), 28. Danny Cashman (7. Greg Luer 57), 10. Ollie Pearce (8. Michael Klass 64), 11. Nicky Wheeler. Subs not used: 12. Luca Woodhouse, 22. Bailey Smith.