Five-star 1sts take top spot

Maidstone

Maidstone men’s 1sts are top of South League Regional Kent/Sussex 1 after a 5-1 win at Worthing last Saturday.

The visitors opened up a 2-0 lead at the break, with both goals scored by playercoach Richard Turner.

The first was a smart deflection from captain Nick Leatherbarrow’s pass and the second a penalty corner.

Andy Turner deflected home the third from a cross before a yellow card for Waqas Dastagir and green for Mike Smith left Maidstone two short, Worthing taking advantage by scoring from a penalty corner.

Goalkeeper Darren Marchant and defenders Brendan Baker, Matt Emery, Jonny Berneth and Phil Morrison snuffed out Worthing comeback hopes.

And Maidstone pulled clear with Richard Turner completing his hat-trick from a penalty corner and man-of-thematch Baker scoring after a one-two off Worthing’s keeper.

The ladies’ 1sts made it back-to-back wins in the East League Premier Division with a 2-1 success at BromBecks.

Jess Cremin converted a short corner with a fierce strike from the top of the D.

BromBecks levelled from a penalty corner but Maidstone raised their tempo in the second half, with Catherine Broadbent and Hannah Durston working tirelessly in midfield.

Their efforts paid off when the ball reached Lesley Price, who was fouled, with Cremin scoring the penalty flick.

The ladies’ 3rds lost 4- 0 at Edenbridge in Kent Division 2.

They couldn’t contend with a home side well organised in defence and attack.

Player-of-the-match Sara Nudds made crucial tackles and bursting runs.

A slow start cost the men’s 5ths in a 4-1 Kent Open Division 3 defeat at BromBecks.

Pressure told as Maidstone failed to clear, with keeper Jake Horton stranded.

Dylan Collie scored an excellent equaliser in a rare bright spot in a half which saw BromBecks add three goals.

In the second half, Simon Wood, Collier, Andy Parkes and Cameron Brown all went close, while man-of-the-match Toby Allsworth defended soundly despite a knock.