Second-half collapse
MAIDSTONE
Maidstone went into reverse on Tuesday night – just like the linesman’s car. If United were embarrassed by their second-half collapse against Boreham Wood, the linesman who backed straight into referee Rob Whitton’s car at the Gallagher was even more red-faced. Stones boss Jay Saunders would probably take an awkward phone call to his insurance company over the frustration he’s suffering at the moment. His side were excellent for 45 minutes of this FA Trophy first-round replay, leading through Ben Greenhalgh’s lovely strike. But two goals in nine minutes early in the second half were followed by a third as Maidstone fell apart. Jamar Loza replied in injury time but the final whistle went straight from the restart. Stones dominated the first half with Greenhalgh determined to make the most of a rare start, Loza impressing from the left and Jack Evans getting forward from midfield, testing Grant Smith with a couple of thumping strikes.
Evans’ first effort came from 25 yards after Loza and Greenhalgh combined and it was Greenhalgh who teed up another shot towards the end of the half, a first-time rocket bringing out the best in Smith.
Boreham Wood offered little and it was no surprise when Maidstone took the lead.
The goal came on 20 minutes with Callum Driver feeding Loza whose lay-off was fired into the bottom corner by Greenhalgh from 20 yards.
Bobby-Joe Taylor missed a big chance to double Stones’ lead, nodding wide from a couple of yards when all on his own, then he dragged an effort wide after a short corner with Greenhalgh.
Boreham Wood levelled two minutes into the second half, Lee Worgan touching Bruno Andrade’s swerving strike on to the post, with Anthony Jeffrey nodding home the loose ball.
Andrade was at it again a couple of minutes later, Worgan holding on after the ball broke dangerously from Femi Ilesanmi’s cross.
And having barely been in the game in the first half, Andrade then ran on to a through ball and beat Worgan to put Wood in front on 56 minutes.
It was all Boreham Wood now with Jeffrey firing over and Worgan down well after Matthew Paine met Andrade’s free-kick.
A third followed on 79 minutes, Driver unable to rescue a breakdown in communication at the back as Jeffrey burst through and finished.
It might have been worse minutes later, Worgan doing well to push Ricky Shakes’ downward header over the top.
Loza finished smartly from the final kick of the game. Maidstone: Worgan, Driver, Mills, Acheampong, Lokko, Evans, Sweeney (Rogers 83mins), Taylor (Odubade 65mins), Greenhalgh, Flisher (Paxman 76mins), Loza. Subs not used: Coyle, Parsons. Attendance: 538.