The Stones are through to the 1st Round Proper of the FA Cup once again after a comfortable 3-0 victory over National League basement side Ebbsfleet United in the eagerly anticpiated Kent Derby.
George Elokobi was forced into one change from the victory over Worthing last week with Raphe Brown coming back in for Reiss Greenidge who is on International duty.
The players came out of the traps fast and were rewarded just 6 minutes in when Charlie Seaman’s long throw wasn’t dealt with by the Fleet defence and Aaron Blair used everything to get his head to it which just crept over the line despite Mark Cousins efforts to keep it out.
With our tails up, the Stones were in the mood as Sam Corne hit a beautiful effort from 35 yards out which was very close to hitting the top right hand corner but went just wide of the post. Ebbsfleet needed to find a way to settle things down and created a half chance of their own as Ben Chapman set the ball up for Rakish Bingham but whilst fully stretched, could only hit his left footed effort wide.
The forwards kept on asking questions of the Fleet defence and just after the half hour mark, punished them yet again. Jon Benton lobbed the ball over for Antony Papadopoulos who initially faked his first shot but then drove the ball through Cousins who will feel he should have done better to double our lead.
In wave after wave of attack, Sam Corne hit a shot on the outside of his boot which nearly found Charlie Seaman but surprised him as he wasn’t able to control the finish home.
Ebbsfleet changed their shape at half-time bringing on Wes Fonguck and they nearly found a way back into the tie as the ball was slipped through for Bingham but Alexis Andre Jr did really well to get his body in the way to make the block and and claim the second ball.
It proved to be the game changer as 5 minutes later, the Stones all but sealed the tie when George Fowler’s cross field ball to the back post found Papadopoulos lurking to nod it across goal and Blair couldn’t miss as he increased the Stones’ lead.
The vast majority of the 2,910 in attendance still wanted more and a couple of chances towards the end nearly made the score more glamorous. Substitutes Pierre Fonkeu and Shaq Coulthirst combined as Fonkeu set it on a plate for the Stones number 10 but couldn’t keep his composure as it sailed over the bar. Blair was still looking for his hat-trick and just shy of stoppage time nearly found it when he was played in on the left but his curling effort was denied by Cousins.
The final whistle went to a big roar from the Stones faithful which sees them keep up a good tradition and progressing to the 1st Round Proper of the FA Cup for the 8th time in 11 seasons.
Maidstone United: Aaron Blair 6’, 53’, Antony Papadopoulos 32’
Ebbsfleet United:
Maidstone United: 1. Alexis Andre Jr, 2. Temi Eweka, 3. Ben Brookes, 5. George Fowler, 6. Raphe Brown (19. Pierre Fonkeu 77 mins), 8. Sam Corne (C) (18. Bivesh Gurung 75 mins), 9. Aaron Blair, 11. Charlie Seaman, 14. Tayt Trusty (7. Jordan Higgs 68 mins), 17. Jon Benton (10. Shaq Coulthirst 83 mins), 20. Antony Papadopoulos (12. Arj Krasniqi 90+1 mins). Subs not used: 13. Lenny Holden, 15. Harry Lodovica.
Ebbsfleet United: 1. Mark Cousins, 4. Josh Wright (C) (7. Sha’mar Lawson 75 mins), 6. Louis John, 8. Jim Kellermann (10 Wes Fonguck 46 mins), 9. Rakish Bingham, 16. Franklin Domi (33. Anthony Stewart 36 mins), 19. Jephte Tanga (39. Kwame Thomas 57 mins), 22. Ben Chapman, 26. Tom Dallison, 27. Craig Tanner, 29. Todd Kane. Subs not used: 30. Dylan Berry, 15. Greg Cundle, 24. Mustapha Olagunju.
