The Stones showed the perfect reaction to Saturday’s defeat at Truro with an emphatic win in the Kent Senior Cup Final over Ebbsfleet United and to take the cup back to The Gallagher for the first time since 2019.
This was a very accomplished and mature performance from the players as they set the marker right from the off and didn’t give their National League opponents a sniff throughout the 90 minutes.
All be it, the Fleet who had played just 24 hours earlier at FC Halifax Town, their starting line up still consisted of a lot of National League experience which would have been a threat to George Elokobi’s young side but they came out on top and did it in some style.
The perfect start was made with 57 seconds on the clock when the returning Harry Kyprianou lobbed a high cross towards the 6 yard box where Michael Adu-Poku was lurking. The man making his first start for the Stones meant business straight away as he guided a well placed header off the inside of the right hand post and into the back of the net.
It nearly got even better for the Stones with just 5 minutes on the clock when Riley Court whipped an in-swinging corner towards Sam Smith who did well to get on the end of it but couldn’t direct the header on target. The same occurred for Sol Wanjau-Smith when Adu-Poku played a powerful cross in towards the Stones forward but was forced to lean back with the ball going slightly behind him to get on the end of it. It proved to be just a bit too difficult to keep down.
No matter though as Wanjau-Smith managed to grab the Stones’ second goal and in some fashion. Wanjau-Smith was able to set himself for the shot from around 20 yards out and beautifully curled it into the top right hand corner with keeper Chris Haigh at full stretch.
The fast start left Elokobi’s men in complete control and were fighting for every ball getting on the end of most first and second balls in the middle of the park. Ebbsfleet struggled to get going and never really tested Harley Earle in goal.
Matt Bentley was every so close to adding some gloss to the scoreline 8 minutes before half-time when he beat Haigh to the ball on the edge of the box but could only slice the effort well wide of the goal. Reynolds was also keen on getting in on the act as Adu-Poku slotted him in with his low shot being well held by Haigh.
Shortly before the interval, Bentley was able to make his mark on the game when Adu-Poku smartly nodded the ball over the Fleet defence with enough conviction that Bentley was able to take a touch and smash low across goal to grab his first goal for the club and to all but end the contest.
Danny Searle’s side would have been looking for a reaction from his side and David Amoo nearly provided it with his shot just hitting the side netting but Earle had the near post covered.
Wanjau-Smith looked to replicate his first half strike by trying to same thing again at the other end but this time, his curled strike came crashing back off the bar and provided some much needed rest bite for the Fleet.
It was a very slow pace end to the game but substitute Muhammadu Faal was able to put the icing on the cake when he brilliantly dribbled past a couple of the Fleet defenders before slotting past Haigh into the bottom right hand corner with what was the last kick of the game.
A performance that was much needed from the players as they look to take that momentum into the final regular game of the season against play-off chasing Hampton & Richmond on Saturday.
Ebbsfleet United:
Maidstone United: Michael Adu Poku 1’, Sol Wanjau-Smith 10’, Matt Bentley 45+2’, Muhammadu Faal 90+4’
Ebbsfleet United: 12. Chris Haigh, 7. Omar Sterling-James, 8. Ouss Cisse, 10. Craig Tanner (34. Bailey Cain 65 mins), 11. Darren McQueen (9. Bernard Rai 73 mins), 15. Greg Cundle (16. Tristan Lock 59 mins), 19. Matthias Fanimo, Chris Solly (C), 24. David Amoo, 29. Maxx Manktelow, 32. Max Shoolbred. Subs not used: 6. Joe Buchanan, 27. John Umar.
Maidstone United: 12. Harley Earle, 3. Sam Smith (8. Sam Corne 69 mins), 4. Reiss Greenidge, 7. Michael Adu-Poku (11. Muhammadu Faal 57 mins), 9. Sol Wanjau-Smith (17. Jephte Tanga 69 mins), 10. Lamar Reynolds, 13. Riley Court, 14. Harry Kyprianou (C), 16. Matt Bentley, 18. Bivesh Gurung, 19. Paul Appiah. Subs not used: 1. Lucas Covolan, 5. George Fowler.
