Levi Amantchi’s last gasp finish in the 4th minute of added time at the end of the 90 sent the Stones to the Third Round of the FA Trophy and gave them bragging rights over local neighbours Dartford in a tense cup tie.
In the first of two games in three days, George Elokobi was forced into a number of changes following injuries to key players and that included a start for young Riley Court and some much needed minutes for Perri Iandolo. The shape also saw Bivesh Gurung playing as a centre half but the players executed the game plan perfectly as they frustrated the hosts and limited them to few clear cut chances.
However, the Darts’ best chance came just 9 minutes into the game when a cross to the back post found the unmarked Moussa Diarra but the tall defender could only strike his header through a combination of post and keeper Lucas Covolan.
It was a wake up call for the Stones and from then on, they started to keep the ball better and looking to expose the right hand side with Liam Sole causing constant danger with his pace and trickery. He created a good opportunity for himself quarter of an hour in when he cut on the outside of his man before having his shot saved at the near post by ex-Stones keeper Ryan Sandford who was making his debut for the Darts. Just moments later, Sandford was called into action again as he was forced to parry wide Lamar Reynolds’ low shot from the edge of the box.
The Stones continued to dominate and got more confident with the ball as they showed some brilliant, one touch passing before Liam Sole was set on his way down the right before pulling it back for Levi Amantchi who could only drag the shot wide.
Amantchi who was kept quiet for long periods by the Dartford defence looked to show what he’s all about as he paced his way down the left hand side from the half-way line before having his shot inside the box deflected out for a corner.
The second half saw the momentum shift slightly towards the hosts, but that was without the Stones still having their moments to break the deadlock as Perri Iandolo showed some trickery in the box before having his shot cleared off the line with the goal gaping.
The Darts were starting to have some more joy on the wings and that allowed Alex Wall to have a shot on the turn as he looked to aim for the top right hand corner but went just over Covolan’s bar.
Once a few changes had been made by Darts manager Alan Dowson, they seemed to become stronger and for a while, it looked like that there might be only one team that would win the game in the 90.
With stoppage time approaching, Tyrell Miller-Rodney missed a golden opportunity to win the tie for Dartford as he was played in but his shot from close range could only go over the bar but perhaps the angle was slightly against him.
We looked destined for penalties with both managers starting to discuss who might be stepping up but then the unbelievable happened. With seconds left, a long ball which looked certain to go out for a goal kick was kept in brilliantly by substitute Harry Kyprianou as he slid in which forced Sandford into a save at the near post. The ball fell to none other than Amantchi who was able to compose himself and lift the ball into the roof of the net for his 17th of the season and to send the Stones supporters absolutely bersek in the away end.
Dartford:
Maidstone United: Levi Amantchi 90+4’
Dartford: 13. Ryan Sandford, 2. Jordan Winter, 5. Tyrell Miller-Rodney, 6. Baris Altintop, 7. Luke Coulson (C), 8. Luke Allen, 9. Alex Wall (11. Lewis Manor 67 mins), 12. Maxwell Statham (3. Sam Oduadu 67 mins), 16. Archie Woods (10. Paul Rooney 85 mins), 20. Joash Nembhard, 28. Moussa Diarra. Subs not used: 1. Mitchell Beeney, 19. Charlie Sherringham, 24. Olly Box, 25. Jayden Boulton.
Maidstone United: 1. Lucas Covolan, 5. George Fowler, 7. Razzaq Coleman De-Graft (9. Sol Wanjau-Smith 76 mins), 8. Sam Corne (C), 10. Lamar Reynolds, 15. Sam Bone, 16. Liam Sole (2. Harry Kyprianou 87 mins), 17. Levi Amantchi, 18. Bivesh Gurung, 19. Perri Iandolo, 20. Riley Court (14. Matt Rush 68 mins). Subs not used: 3. Michael Petrasso, 6. Elliott Wenham, 11. Sam Smith, 12. Harley Earle.
