Levi Amantchi’s 12th goal of the season two minutes into the stoppage time at the end of the match, rescued a point for the Stones and kept their unbeaten run going to eight games in all competitions.
There might have been a different outcome had the Stones played with the same intensity that they displayed after the equaliser. Until this moment, it looked like Farnborough were going to grab all three points as a result of Taylor Maloney’s penalty but after Amantchi’s goal, the Stones threw everything at Farnborough who had Jack Turner to thank for some crucial saves.
There was just one change to the Maidstone United side that beat Torquay United in the FA Cup last week. Joseph Gbode came into the line up in place of Sol Wanju-Smith.
The first half was a stop-start affair that never sparked into life. The two teams appeared evenly matched and neither keeper at a save to make during this time.Early on, Michael Folivi had a shot from around the edge of the area which went wide and then on six minutes, Maidstone perhaps had the best and only chance of the half. Joseph Gbode played the ball into Levi Amantchi who was under pressure and from a tight angle, he dragged the ball across the face of goal and wide of the right post.
On 51 minutes, Farnborough were awarded a penalty. Aaron Kuhl had played an inviting ball into the box for Michael Folivi to chase. It looked as though a combination of Devonte Aransibia and Lucas Covolan were going to snuff out the danger but in the process, Covolan caught Folivi. Taylor Maloney took the spot kick and he sent Covolan the wrong way, with a low finish into the bottom left side of the net.
Maidstone didn’t really get going until the 70th minute. With a change in shape following the introduction of Gavin Hoyte and Sol Wanju-Smith, the Stones began to find their feet. A good spell of possession ended with Aransiba’s shot from a central position bouncing down into the ground and clearing the bar by a matter of inches.
Aransiba was delivering some enticing balls into the box and from one of these, Amantchi got a touch but he couldn’t direct the ball on target. Then three minutes from time, George Fowler pulled the ball back and Amantchi saw his effort scrambled away from the line.
However, two minutes into stoppage time, the Stones did level. Aransabi found Sam Corne whose drive hit the post and not for the first time this season, Amantchi was perfectly placed to slam home the rebound.
Four minutes later, Maidstone went close to getting a winner. The move had involved a neat turn in the box by Corne and the ball came to Fowler who placed the ball well only for Turner to get down smartly and make an excellent save.
Sixty seconds later, there was one final opportunity for the Stones. Maidstone were piling the pressure on the Farnborough defence and the ball came to Harry Kyprianou who had been pushed forward and he couldn’t find a way past Turner at his near post.
Maidstone United: Levi Amantchi 90 + 2
Farnborough Town: Taylor Maloney 52 (pen)
Maidstone United: 1. Lucas Covolan, 6. Raphe Brown, 5. George Fowler, 18. Harry Kyprianou, 16. Liam Sole (Razzaq Coleman De-Graft 81), 15. Sam Bone, 8. Sam Corne, 14. Michael Petrasso (2. Gavin Hoyte 61), 11. Devonte Aransibia, 17. Levi Amantchi, 19. Joseph Gbode (9. Sol Wanju-Smith 61). Subs not used: 12. Harley Earle, 3. Chi Ezennolim.
Farnborough Town: 1. Jack Turner, 2. Jack Ball, 4. C J Fearn, 6. Edon Pruti, 7. Adam Mekki (11. Reggie Young 45), 21. Taylor Maloney, 15. Olly Pendlebury, 26. Ricky Holmes (8. Jaden Perez 85), 25. Aaron Kuhl, 10. Michael Folivi, 27. Connor Hall (14. Conor Cullen 63). Subs not used: 19. Ryan Upward, 24. Selim Saied.
