A solitary strike from Jephte Tanga was enough to see Maidstone United edge past Dover Athletic as the Stones looked to get their play-off ambitions back on track following the excitement of the FA Cup.
The game was played in heavy conditions after yet more torrential rain not long before the start of the match and Maidstone will be glad that the game survived a late pitch inspection after collecting an important three points.
Early on, the Stones probably had slightly more possession and they forced a series of corners. Then on 18 minutes, Charlie Naylor and George Fowler came together as Fowler looked to win possession deep inside the box and Naylor was adjudged to have fouled the Maidstone defender. Sam Corne assumed responsibility for the penalty and although he successfully dug the ball out of the muddy penalty spot, he blazed the spot kick well over the bar.
The Stones could have taken the lead again not long after this. Chi Ezennolim did well inside the area and he picked out Matt Rush whose shot on the turn was parried by Daniel Jinadu. The ball came to Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong and his curling effort smashed against the post.
But Maidstone did finally break the deadlock on 38 minutes. Ezennolim put an enticing low ball across the six yard box and Tanga arrived to fire it into the net.
Raphe Brown then clipped a delightful ball forward into Mo Faal. Faal tried to place his finish inside the right post but it flew wide.
Dover emerged from the break determined to get back into the match and no one in the Crabble could believe that they didn’t equalise on 49 minutes. Naylor passed to George Nikaj who was just a couple of yards from an open net and somehow he failed to make contact with the ball, giving Lucas Covolan, the opportunity to gather it up.
Four minutes later, Nikaj had another excellent opportunity. This time he got in behind Reece Greenidge and when well placed, he dragged his shot wide.
The Stones survived this spell of Dover pressure and they could have added to their tally. Jinadu couldn’t hold onto Rush’s drive and when the ball fell to Faal, he put the ball over the bar. A short while later, Faal was involved again as he received a pass from Bivesh Gurung and his effort deflected wide. From the resultant corner, Sam Corne picked out Greenidge who seemed certain to score but Jinadu made a fine save and when the ball came back in, Greenidge’s header found the side netting.
The final chance of the game fell to Maidstone 12 minutes from time. Tanga slid the ball into Faal who was immediately under pressure and so he was forced to shoot as he got into the box and the ball went over the bar.
Dover Athletic: –
Maidstone United: Jephte Tanga 38
Dover Athletic: 1. Daniel Jinadu, 3. Roman Charles-Cook, 16. Jacob Mensah, 26. Scott Holding, 4. Peter Ojemen, 15. Charlie Naylor (7. Destiny Oladipo 87), 14. George Wilkinson, 8. Freddie Oliver, 23. Dontai Stewart (11. Iffy Allen 73), 10. George Nikaj, 18. Henry Young (20. Nick Dembele 64). Subs not used: 17. Archie Hatcher, 24. Kai Neil-Gray.
Maidstone United: 1. Lucas Covolan,3. Chi Ezennolim, 4. Reece Greenidge, 5. George Fowler, 6. Raphe Brown, 17. Jephte Tanga, 18. Bivesh Gurung, 7. Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong (16. Liam Sole 83), 8. Sam Corne, 11. Mo Faal (10. Lamar Reynolds 81) 20. Matt Rush. Subs not used: 12. Harley Earle, 19. Paul Appiah, 9. Manny Duku
