Why John is Still the master
MAIDSTONE 1
John Still won the tactical battle of two old masters as Maidstone delivered yet again in the FA Cup.
He outwitted opposite number Gary Johnson with his Friday night tactical switch and Torquay never got to grips with it.
The decision to move Ryan Johnson into midfield to take care of Jamie Reid was a masterstroke.
Still, in preparing for the game, noticed that Reid likes to drop off and Torquay, rather than crossing from wide positions, would cut the ball back to him. With that in mind, he stuck Johnson in front of the back four and the plan to stop him worked to perfection. Johnson’s change of position also meant a start in central defence for Luke Pennell, and what a game he had.
It’s fair to say he’s been slow to win people over – he was even substituted for “trying to play like Bobby Moore” in one game
– but he’s a class performer and he showed it.
George Elokobi was brilliant alongside him, tackling everything that moved, while Saidou Khan continued his magnificent form with another all-action display in midfield. It was the sixth year running Maidstone had appeared in the first round – the best run of any current non-league side – with victory sending them into round two for the third year in a row. Still said it wouldn’t be a shock if Maidstone beat the National League title contenders and they worked their socks off to nullify the free-scoring Gulls and earn another £36,000 in prize money. There was a good early chance for the Stones when Khan did well to reach the byline and cut the ball back for Ibby Akanbi who prodded wide.
Kalvin Kalala fired wide after a sharp move featuring Saikou Janneh and Jamie Reid, and Elokobi made a perfectly-timed challenge on Matt Buse as Torquay enjoyed a good spell. But Maidstone took the lead in the 18th minute. Akanbi did ever so well to hold on to the ball and play in Dan Wishart who made progress down the left before his cross was diverted in by Buse for an own goal.
Liam Davis missed a big chance for the visitors when played in by Kalala but credit Pennell for putting him under pressure.
Kalala blazed over early from Janneh’s cross early in the second half – a golden chance to level – after Reid’s pass split the defence.
Either side of that, a couple of stonking runs from the excellent Khan got Maidstone up the pitch.
Elokobi twice went close – a deflected 20-yard strike that brought a massive roar from the Genco – and a header just over. That was the trigger for Maidstone to go for the jugular and they put Torquay under plenty of pressure in search of a second goal.
Back came Torquay with Noah Chesmain clearing a header off the line as United, getting numbers back, continued to defend impressively.
Great work by Khan on the edge of the box made room for a shot which went just wide as Maidstone again threatened a second but the hosts were grateful to Pennell moments later for a crucial interception in the six-yard box.