Fabio returns to haunt Stones
MAIDSTONE
What a difference a couple of years makes.
Maidstone always rated Fabio Saraiva but felt he froze in front of big crowds at the Gallagher and let him rejoin Merstham.
Now 23, the midfielder has learned to handle the big stage and proved it by opening the scoring for Woking at the Town End on Saturday.
Maidstone had been well on top but when Saraiva struck on the half-hourn it triggered an alarming collapse.
The Cards – who were without a National League away win – scored again four minutes later, added a third during the second half and could have won by more.
Jay Saunders called for a fast start and he got it as Maidstone took the game to Woking.
They might have led in the first minute, with Alex Flisher inches away from meeting Bobby-Joe Taylor’s cross – think Gascoigne against Germany in Euro 96 – then Jamar Loza was denied by Brandon Hall after a strong run.
Taylor fired wide and had a shot blocked, Bradley Hudson-Odoi tested Hall after cutting inside on his left foot, then Jack Paxman played in Loza, who didn’t put enough on his strike.
Out of nowhere, Maidstone were behind on the half-hour.
The goal came down the left with Keiran Murtagh pulling the ball back for Saraiva 12 yards out. And it was 2- 0 on 34 minutes, Ugwu first to Jack Caprice’s cross and powering a header past Lee Worgan.
The momentum was now with Woking and they were on top at the start of the second half, too, Worgan saving from Ugwu when played in by Luke Kandi and Charlie Carter putting a free header wide.
Maidstone huffed and puffed away, Flisher running out of room after making his way into the box from Paxman’s pass but didn’t look like scoring.
Chances continued to fall at the other end, Murtagh inches away from connecting with Kandi’s cross at the far post, then Saraiva firedover when well placed from Ugwu’s pass.
It was game over on 72 minutes with, Caprice all on his own on the right and crossing for Ugwu who headed home. Maidstone: Worgan, Driver, Mills, Coyle, Lokko, Rogers, Hudson-Odoi (Odubade 70mins), Paxman, Loza, Flisher, Taylor (Greenhalgh 79mins). Subs not used: Sweeney, Evans, Enver-Marum. Attendance: 2,147.