George Elokobi looked to freshen things up attacking wise following the goalless draw at Chippenham 48 hours ago. In came Matt Bentley, Bruno Andrade and skipper Sam Corne.
The first half had very few opportunities for both sides to be quite frank. There was an early claim for a penalty when Matt Bentley went down just inside the box but the ref deemed it a dive so booked the Stones forward. However, just a few minutes later, Ben Brookes whipped a lovely delivery towards the six-yard box where the incoming Bentley made his way but the resulting header was a difficult one for him to keep down.
Weston probably enjoyed the better of the possession in the final third and a times looked a threat. Their best chance of the first half came 7 minutes before the break when Luke Coulson’s drilled corner to the back post was met by skipper Emlyn Lewis but powered his header over the bar. Not long after, a long ball over the top gave Reuben Reid the chance to drive at the Stones defence but Reiss Greenidge did well to get back and ensure his pressured shot went firing into the Genco End.
The Stones’ best opening over the half came just shy of half time when Pierre Fonkeu saw off his man in the corner before crossing towards Matt Bentley before volleying just wide of the post.
At the beginning of the second half, the Stones looked a bit more aggressive for the first 10 minutes attacking wise as Brookes whipped another brilliant delivery, this time to the unmarked Temi Eweka who had the goal at his mercy but headed over the bar. George Fowler then crossed to the back post where Aaron Blair was lurking. He cut inside of his man but whilst stretching, he couldn’t keep the shot on target.
The Seagulls looked to find their feet again and James Dodd was very close to putting the visitors ahead as a low ball inside the box fell into his path, but for an important block from George Fowler to keep it goalless.
However, the Stones were hit with the sucker punch on 65 minutes when the Stones failed to spot the short corner routine which allowed Dylan Kadji to whip a first time delivery towards Sam Avery who controlled his first time effort into the far bottom right hand corner to give Weston a deserved lead.
Elokobi’s men huffed and puffed for an equaliser but just didn’t have any answer to the goal. Kadji was an inch away from claiming the three points in style when he struck a well hit shot from 20 yards out with Alexis Andre Jr at full stretch but just evaded the post.
Maidstone United: –
Weston Super-Mare: Sam Avery 65’
Maidstone United: 1. Alexis Andre Jr, 2. Temi Eweka, 3. Ben Brookes, 4. Reiss Greenidge, 5. George Fowler, 8. Sam Corne (C), 9. Aaron Blair, 15. Bruno Andrade (11. Charlie Seaman 71 mins), 16. Matt Bentley (10. Shaq Coulthirst 58 mins), 18. Bivesh Gurung, 19. Pierre Fonkeu (7. Jon Benton 65 mins). Subs not used: 12. Arj Krasniqi, 13. Lenny Holden.
Weston Super-Mare: 1. Will Buse, 3. Jordan Bastin, 4. Dylan Kadji, 5. Jason Pope, 6. Sam Avery, 8. James Dodd, 9. Reuben Reid (16. Brandon Bak 90 mins), 11. Luke Coulson, 15. Emlyn Lewis (C), 17. Ollie Chamberlain, 21. Nick McCootie (7. Jacob Cane 82 mins). Subs not used: 12. Bailey Kempster, 13. Kelland Absalom, 14. Morgan Lewis.
