Happy faces but still no goals
MAIDSTONE LINCOLN
It’s difficult to remember an atmosphere quite like this at a goalless draw.
The happiest fans in the National League got together as United welcomed champions Lincoln City to the Gallagher on Tuesday night.
Stones supporters are still on a huge high after their climb to safety while 600 Imps made the trip south three days on from their title triumph.
Although segregated, both sets of fans packed the new North Stand, got on famously and the atmosphere was phenomenal, with non-stop singing.
Stones captain Lee Worgan ensured it stayed goalless with a series of excellent saves against a Lincoln side who were given a guard of honour by United.
City made nine changes but, make no mistake, this was still a strong XI and they showed it by taking the game to Maidstone.
They created some big chances but a draw seemed fitting on a night when the two clubs had got on so well, a relationship that starts at the top with managers Jay Saunders and Danny Cowley having been friends for years.
With City starting fast, Jack Muldoon’s snapshot from Terry Hawkridge’s cross was well held by Worgan inside two minutes and they went on to create several good chances.
The best fell to Muldoon, who turned Kevin Lokko from an Alan Power pass and went through on goal but Worgan made a terrific block with a goal looking certain.
Adam Marriott hit the outside of the post from the edge of the box, Josh Ginnelly fired over when the ball dropped to him unmarked Report: Pictures: in a good position and Marriott, perhaps, should have done better at the end of the half.
Maidstone also had their moments, going close when Pigott hit the post from just inside the area, while Alex Flisher forced a good save from Ross Etheridge after firing across goal from Magnus Okuonghae’s pass.
Shortly after, Lokko met Flisher’s cross but didn’t get enough on his header to trouble Etheridge.
Early in the second half, Sean Raggett headed goalwards from a corner, with the ball hitting the bar off Marriott.
Worgan then stuck out a leg to deny Lincoln’s on-loan Gillingham midfielder Billy Knott.
Worgan came to Stones’ rescue again moments later when a loose pass from Stuart Lewis sent Hawkridge through one-on-one.
Pigott did well to work an opening at the other end but was crowded out as he went to pull the trigger.
Raggett had a late chance for Lincoln, sending a free header wide from Ginnelly’s corner, while Muldoon hit the side-netting.
Stones almost snatched a late winner when Bobby-Joe Taylor saw his shot blocked on the line from a Jack Richards cross. Maidstone: Worgan, Twumasi, Mills, Okuonghae, Lokko, Phipps (Taylor 59mins), Lewis (Paxman 67mins), Prestedge, Odubade (Richards 81mins), Pigott, Flisher. Subs not used: Coyle, Acheampong. Attendance: 3,014 (598 Lincoln fans).