Ostler rescues a point
TWO PENALTY CORNER GOALS MAKE SURE MAIDSTONE DON’T LEAVE LEADERS EMPTY HANDED
Maidstone’s winning run in Kent/Sussex Regional Division 1 came to an end last Saturday.
A run of four straight victories was stopped as they drew 3-3 at leaders Ashford.
Maidstone were 3-1 down before man-of-the-match Will Ostler struck twice.
Ashford went 2-0 up but a goal on the counter attack from Greg Laurenson halved the deficit.
Ashford re-established their two-goal advantage but Maidstone dug in to claim a point with two penalty corner goals from Ostler.
Maidstone clinched a penalty-stroke victory over Eastbourne the following day in the EH Trophy, after their second round tie ended 3-3.
Facing a team from the league above, they went two goals down – just like the day before.
Laurenson tapped into an empty net to make it 2-1 and Phil Morrison levelled with a penalty stroke. Maidstone went 3-2 up with a penalty corner by Waqas Dastagir but Eastbourne levelled.
In the shoot-out, Dastagir, Jeremy Swaffer and Mike Smith all scored, and when man-ofthe-match Burrows pulled off an excellent stick save, Greg Laurenson slotted home the winner.
In wet and windy conditions, Maidstone 5ths played some great hockey but errors in midfield cost them the win against Canterbury Friars as the match ended 3-3.
Will Day opened the scoring but Canterbury immediately struck back.
Five minutes later Maidstone found themselves 2-1 down, which remained the score to the break.
Maidstone dominated the second half. Two chances were taken by Simon Wood and there was a second for Will Day but the hosts levelled.
Maidstone ladies’ 1sts were beaten 4-1 by Harleston Magpies.
Magpies went 2-0 up but Maidstone managed to claw a goal back through Lizzie McClintock.
Maidstone were ready to fight back after the break but the umpires were keen on enforcing discipline, resulting in goalkeeper Jen Vincent and McClintock both receiving green cards.
Maidstone’s player-of-thematch was Claire Daniels.
Maidstone ladies’ 3rds beat Kings & Alleyns 2nds 2-0.
A disallowed penalty corner goal by Maidstone gave them the confidence to know that they were capable of scoring. Junior player Maddy Coffey won a corner which veteran Sarah Day superbly converted.
The second came from another well-worked corner which Jaime Cronk converted.
Amanda Gates was excellent in both defence and attack and took the player-of-the-match accolade.