Two goals from Aaron Blair saw the Stones register another fine away win on the road, as Maidstone extended their unbeaten run in the league to an impressive 14 matches. After the heavy defeat at home to Chelmsford City, in early September, the Stones have hit decent form, rising to fourth in the league, just four points behind leaders Torquay United.
George Elokobi unsurprisingly elected to keep an unchanged side after Maidstone’s win away at Truro on Saturday. And it took just 14 minutes for the Stones to take the lead. Salisbury struggled to clear their lines as first of all Antony Papadopoulos headed the ball forward and then the ball came to Bivesh Gurung who directed his header into the path of Aaron Blair. Blair seized the opportunity and hit a first time effort past Daniel Lincoln which nestled in the right side of the net after nicking the post.
There was then an action-packed spell of play. With 22 minutes gone, Sol Wanju-Smith passed to Ben Brookes who delivered a fine cross which was headed onto the roof of the net by Temi Eweka.
Maidstone had Alexis Andre Jr to thank for protecting their lead. Callum Watts played the ball to Ronan Silva whose rising shot from distance was heading in until Andre Jr intervened to tip it over the bar.
Wanju-Smith then burst through on goal. His touch was heavy although he did well to keep the ball in but his effort from a very tight angle was scooped away from goal by Lincoln.
Maidstone were looking threatening when they moved forwards and they had a chance to double their lead on 29 minutes. Matt Rush got into a shooting position and his effort went inches wide of the right post.
The second half was a much quieter affair with nothing of real note until the 69th minute. Noah Coppin’s effort from 25 yards might have been just going wide but Andre Jr made sure it did, getting down smartly to his right.
With 10 minutes remaining, the Stones got their second of the evening. Charlie Seaman threw the ball to Papadopoulos who passed to Jordan Higgs and the ball was returned to Seaman. He then gave it to Papadopoulos whose cross came to Blair who was just outside the box and the Maidstone striker took a touch as he turned before sending a low shot past Lincoln.
Salisbury City: –
Maidstone United: Aaron Blair 14, 80
Salisbury City: 25. Daniel Lincoln, 22. Cameron Coxe, 4. Thomas Leggett, 5. Luke Wilkinson (10. Craig Fasanmade 45 (20. Sido Jombati 78)), 8. Callum Watts, 2. George Franklin, 6. Joshua Sommerton, 16. Ronan Silva, 23. Owen Dore (7. Jaden Perez 66), 3. Jordon Ragguette, 11. Noah Coppin. Subs not used: 21. Theo Lewis, 38. Dylan Christie.
Maidstone United:1. Alexis Andre Jr, 11. Charlie Seaman, 2. Temi Eweka, 5. George Fowler, 3. Ben Brookes (6. Raphe Brown 90), 7, Jordan Higgs, 20. Antony Papadopoulos, 18. Bivesh Gurung (14. Tayt Trusty 79), 15. Sol Wanju-Smith (16. Matt Bentley 64), 19. Matt Rush (10. Shaq Coulthirst 90), 9. Aaron Blair. Subs not used: 13. Lenny Holden,
