Kedwell plays a key role again
MAIDSTONE 2 HAVANT 2
Report: Craig Tucker Pictures: John Westhrop
Maidstone fans still enjoy giving Danny Kedwell stick – as much as he likes scoring against them. They will never let Kedwell forget the missed penalty that saw United promoted to the National League at Ebbsfleet’s expense three years ago.
The big man claimed revenge when he scored against Maidstone a year later but bagging the second goal in a routine 2-0 victory paled into insignificance compared with fluffing your lines in the most dramatic of play-off finals. Maidstone have since been relegated and Kedwell’s left Ebbsfleet but the rivalry was renewed on Saturday with the visit of his new club, Havant, to the Gallagher.
He was named on the bench but you knew he’d have a part to play.
Hawks boss Paul Doswell turned to the veteran hitman after the visitors won a late corner.
He was introduced to boos and the usual chant about his weight only to escape his marker in the box and head Havant into a 2-1 lead with his first touch.
You couldn’t make it up, and how he enjoyed celebrating in front of the Town End.
Stones fans were silenced after Kedwell’s 82nd-minute goal but only briefly as the hosts stormed back and earned a deserved point with Dan Wishart’s injury-time header.
Havant left with the division’s only unbeaten record intact but Maidstone more than matched them in a performance that bodes well for their hopes of mounting a National South promotion challenge.
The Hawks enjoyed early possession but there were chances for Jonny Edwards, Matt McClure and Dan Wishart as Maidstone found their rhythm before taking a 25th-minute lead. Edwards was the scorer after a poor header from Sam Magri allowed him in on goal.
There was still plenty to do but he lobbed Ross Worner beautifully – a finish that proved the hardworking frontman also has goals in his game. Unfortunately, he was still feeling the effects of an earlier clash with Worner and had to be substituted four minutes later. Maidstone looked the better side but Havant finished the half well, Clovis Kamdjo with an important challenge on Wes Fogden before a cracking reaction save from Jake Cole in added time as Bradley Tarbuck met Benny Read’s cross. United looked largely untroubled in the second half, a sign of just how well this side are coming together.
However, there was a route back for the visitors when Nana Kyei clipped Roarie Deacon just inside the box.
It was clever play from Deacon, who knew the challenge was coming, and Anthony Straker sent Cole the wrong way from the spot on 66 minutes.
Saidou Khan saw two efforts blocked as Maidstone looked to hit back and the hosts also had a penalty shout waved away before good defending denied McClure from a near-post cross. Kedwell put Havant in front but there was a late twist when Wishart met Gavin Hoyte’s deep cross with a terrific header in the second minute of added time.