Stepping up is no excuse
MAIDSTONE
If anyone was under the impression that Maidstone are happy just to be in the National League, then think again.
A 1-1 draw against the league’s bottom club, when you’ve led and had chances to kill the game off, isn’t a great result.
But Jay Saunders could easily have trotted out a standard “we’re new to the league, we’re finding out feet, a point’s better than nothing” and no one would have batted an eyelid.
Instead, the manager made it clear just how disappointed he was with last Saturday’s second-half performance against a struggling Guiseley team who might even have snatched an injury-time winner.
Make no mistake, Saunders wants to finish in the top 10 of this league and he’s not prepared to make excuses if he feels his side haven’t done the business.
Guiseley started well – Mark Rankine’s header well saved by Lee Worgan – but United were in front on 14 minutes when Alex Flisher ran on to Bobby-Joe Taylor’s through ball and beat Jon Maxted.
Liam Enver-Marum headed home a Taylor free-kick soon after but celebrations were cut short by an offside flag, then Flisher was sent through one-on-one again only for Maxted to make the save.
The big talking point of the half came when Enver-Marum went down under challenge from last-man Javan Vidal after running on to a Flisher flick.
It looked a clear penalty – the Guiseley man got nothing on the ball – but referee Adrian Quelch waved away appeals.
It was, though, the end of Vidal’s match, stretchered off after injuring his knee making the challenge.
Taylor’s free-kick hit the post before half-time, then he crossed for Flisher whose header hit Maxted.
Maidstone were punished for all the missed chances when Guiseley substitute Reece Webb-Foster equalised on 65 minutes.
Found in space in the box, he couldn’t get his first shot away but made no mistake with his second effort, bending a strike into the far corner.
Maidstone had several late chances to take the points.
Maxted was down sharply to deny substitute Yemi Odubade a debut goal from Jack Paxman’s pass and the keeper also did well after the ball sat up nicely for Dan Sweeney 20 yards out.
Jamie Coyle saw a header hit the top of the bar, while a nudge on Ben Greenhalgh was enough to put the Stones man off as he went to shoot.
There was an injury-time scare at the other end after Paxman gave the ball away, Worgan superbly denying Jordan Preston, who put the rebound wide. Maidstone: Worgan, Evans, Mills, Coyle, Acheampong, Sweeney, Taylor ( Odubade 73mins), Paxman, Flisher, EnverMarum ( Greenhalgh 78mins), Mavila ( Murphy 62mins). Subs not used: Rogers, May. Attendance: 2,106.