It was a satisfying afternoon for Maidstone United away at Worthing. Goals from Charlie Seaman and Sam Corne saw the Stones take all three points and they kept a clean sheet in the league for the third time this season.
Maidstone got off to a fast start as they looked to put Worthing under pressure early on. With six minutes played, a long throw from Charlie Seaman was headed up in the air and when it came back down, Temi Eweka’s header from close range went over the bar.
With 12 minutes gone, the Stones took the lead. A lovely ball over the top by Tayt Trusty put Seaman in on goal. Chris Haigh came rushing off his line but Seaman’s shot had enough on it to make it into the net.
Two minutes later, Seaman should have got a second in similar circumstances. This time Seaman went round Haigh and with the goal at his mercy, he went for power and accidentally fired it well over.
Worthing were determined to play the ball around at the back and they got themselves into difficulties a few times as Maidstone pressed well. On one such occasion, Jon Benton won the ball about 20 yards out and his shot only just missed the right post.
It wasn’t until 30 minutes had gone that the home side began to get going. And they had a decent chance to equalise when Ben Brooke’s throw into the box was cleared and the Rebels quickly broke. Danny Cashman arrowed a ball into the box to the unmarked Ollie Starkey who only had Alex Andre Jr to beat and the Maidstone keeper did well to get a vital touch to concede a corner.
Early in the second half, a deep corner from Ben Brookes was met by Reece Greenidge who headed wide. Then Seaman sent a delightful ball into the box where the stretching Aaron Blair desperately tried to get on the end of it.
Play quickly swung to the other end. Former Maidstone player Mo Faal found himself in on goal. With Andre Jr off his line, Faal lobbed the Stones’ keeper and the ball bounced down before coming back off the bar.
This time it was Maidstone’s turn to quickly break. On the hour mark, Antony Papadopoulos passed to Blair who crossed to Sam Corne who guided the ball past Haigh to double the Stones’ lead.
The only thing to note in the remaining time came nine minutes later. A long ball forwards reached Faal who was in a good position but he couldn’t take advantage as he took a heavy touch which saw the ball go wide.
Worthing: –
Maidstone United: Charlie Seaman 12, Sam Corne 60
Worthing: 1. Chris Haigh, 15. Glen Rea, 16. Alfie Young, 18. Ollie Black, 22. Jack Bates, 8. Jack Spong (17. Harrison Smith 76), 7. Tommy Willard (14. Nicky Wheeler), 10. Danny Cashman, 3. Samuel Beard (2. Joel Colbran 70), 9. Mo Faal, 20. Ollie Starkey (6. Jack Wadham 45). Sub not used: 5. Joseph Cook.
Maidstone United:1. Alexis Andre Jr, 2. Temi Eweka, 5.George Fowler, 4. Reiss Greenidge, 11. Charlie Seaman, 6. Antony Papadopoulos (10. Shaq Coulthirst 79), 14. Tayt Trusty (18. Bivesh Gurung 88), 8. Sam Corne, 3. Ben Brookes, 17. Jon Benton (15. Harry Lodovica 90), 9. Aaron Blair. Subs not used: 13. Lenny Holden, 12. Arj Krasniqi.
