Victory matched in cup
Maidstone
Maidstone men’s 1sts enjoyed a weekend double.
They climbed to third place in South League Regional Kent/ Sussex 1 with victory at Tunbridge Wells and followed it up by beating BBHC in the Kent Cup.
Mike Smith hit the bar and playercoach Richard Turner missed by inches in a goalless first half at Wells last Saturday.
Wells went ahead with a tap-in after a broken-down penalty corner bobbled to the back post.
They tried to sit on the lead but Maidstone took control, Smith denied at point-blank range and Joe Martin having a shot saved on the line.
Maidstone finally broke down a tiring Wells defence with Turner scoring twice from back-to-back penalty corners for a 2-1 victory.
On Sunday, they won 2-1 at BBHC to reach the quarter-finals of the Kent Cup.
Junior player Harry O’Rawe made his debut as one of several changes.
Maidstone had several chances before Turner finished a goalmouth scramble for the opener.
A mistake at the back led to a penalty corner which BBHC converted for 1-1.
Maidstone stuck to their game plan with captain Jimmy Christmas, Kenny Stibbles, Will Day and man-of-the-match Waqas Dastagir dominating midfield.
Phil Morrison scored the winner with a penalty stroke following a foul on Joe Broadbent.
Maidstone ladies’ 1sts have their first win in East League Premier Division, beating Wisbech 3- 0.
Katie Gibbons and Lesley Price were denied in a frustrating first half for the hosts.
Maidstone took the lead after the break, Gibbons finishing the rebound after returning player Jessica Cremin had a short corner saved.
The second goal came from another short corner, with clever play at the top of the D as Rachael Ferguson slid the ball to the far post for Charlotte Wheelehan.
Maidstone sealed their win from one more short corner, Cremin this time finding the bottom corner.
The men’s 5ths lost 4-1 at Holcombe 6ths in Kent Division 1.
Maidstone dominated for 25 minutes but poor finishing and excellent goalkeeping stopped them taking the lead and they fell behind on the break.
Simon Wood levelled with an excellent individual effort but a second breakaway goal saw Maidstone lose their way, hitting long balls which played into Holcs’ hands.
Thirteen-year-old Chris Fahy was man-of-the-match on his debut.