Stones show they are not a soft touch
MAIDSTONE
Maidstone showed what they are made of against Dagenham.
The players took their manager’s criticism on the chin, came out fighting and had a good go against a Daggers side who could easily end up back in League 2 next season.
It wasn’t the result everyone wanted on Tuesday night but in terms of passion and commitment, you couldn’t fault them.
There was a marked improvement on that front, with Maidstone not afraid to let Dagenham know they were there.
It cost Alex Flisher and Jamar Loza bookings – and Loza grief from away fans – but it’s important Maidstone show teams they’re no soft touch.
Jay Saunders’ side were positive all night and you can only admire the way Jack Paxman kept wanting the ball and tried to make things happen – a player who will never be short on confidence, even in a struggling team.
The only unfortunate thing was yet another mistake for Dagenham’s 26th-minute goal.
Maidstone were too busy disputing a throw-in instead of getting back in position, allowing Corey Whitely to square for Luke Guttridge, whose deflected strike beat Lee Worgan.
Maidstone, who brought Dan Sweeney into a three-man midfield, were edging it before that.
Their best chances fell to Loza, who dragged wide after cutting in from the right, while a double chance from a corner saw Jamie Coyle’s header blocked on the line and Flisher’s follow-up go wide.
Worgan had to stretch to keep out Oliver Hawkins’ header from another Whitely cross, while Paxman got plenty on a 20-yard strike only for Justham to save at his near post.
Maidstone started to pile on pressure in the second half, Flisher blazing over after running clear from Loza’s flick.
A lovely move, started by Paxman, almost led to an own goal from Tom Mills’ cross, then Loza hit the keeper’s legs after Paxman robbed ex-Stones loanee Josh Staunton.
The home fans were vocal and it felt as though an equaliser was on the cards.
But as Maidstone pushed forward there were openings at the other end with three chances falling to Jordan Maguire-Drew from Whitely crosses.
He somehow headed over the first one, then hit the bar after the ball broke off Frankie Raymond and finally was denied by a flying Worgan save, the Stones keeper brilliantly adjusting his body in mid-air. Maidstone: Worgan, Twumasi, Mills, Coyle, Lokko, Rogers (Odubade 75mins), Paxman, Sweeney, Taylor (Enver-Marum 84mins), Loza (HudsonOdoi 80mins), Flisher. Subs not used: Evans, Greenhalgh. Attendance: 1,970.