Recovery sunk in late twist
Maidstone men’s 1sts conceded a last-minute winner against Gore Court after storming back from four goals down.
Player-coach Richard Turner launched the fightback with a drag-flick and jabbed home the second from Joe Drake’s reservestick strike.
Joe Broad bent scored Maidstone’s third with a controlled finish, then Turner completed his hat-trick on his reverse stick.
An end- to- end match saw further chances for both sides, Darren Marchant keeping Court at bay while Maidstone had an effort saved on the line and fired straight at the keeper five times from the byline. But Court snatched a 5-4 victory from a short corner, with Maidstone 10th in Kent/Sussex Regional 1 going into the Christmas break.
The ladies’ 2nds gave Blackheath & Elthamians a game with only 10 players.
It finished 2-0 to the Kent Premier Division leaders but Maidstone made them work hard for their victory.
Captain and player- of- thematch Amanda Gates was outstanding in central defence, while keeper Maddy Grove made several saves.
A dubious short corner led to Blackheath’s second-half opener and a wicked deflection clinched victory.
Gates’ shot from a short corner went just wide as Maidstone went close to a consolation.
The ladies’ 4ths lost 5-0 at Holcombe in Kent Division 4.
It was anyone’s game at halftime with Holcs only one goal up but defensive errors were punished.
Maidstone battled on and created several chances, with the scoreline not reflecting the match.
Carla Nieden was player-ofthe-match, while keeper Niamh O’Reilly and Michelle Smith also impressed.