Free-scoring Maidstone carry on winning

Prolific Maidstone ladies have scored 28 goals in their first five games of the season. They maintained their 100% start at the top of East League Division 1 South by beating promoted club Ashford 5-1 at home on Saturday. Lovely passing caught Ashford on the back foot as Claire Weddle went through one-on-one before Louise Cassey opened the scoring. Shortly after, more good work from player-of-the-match Weddle led to a deflection from Lesley Price to make it 2-0. Maidstone continued to apply pressure from midfield with Laura Jackson’s pass from the right finding Emily Bush, who flicked home at the back post. Hard work paid off when Katie Gibbons finished a well-worked team goal, then Rachel Davies, playing just her second game for the 1sts, intercepted an Ashford pass and smashed home. Maidstone had numerous chances in the second half, including Lizzie McClintock hitting the post and Cath Green going close from a short corner, while the keeper made some fine saves. Ashford caught Maidstone on the break for a late consolation. The men’s 1sts lost 3-2 at Burnt Ash in Kent/Sussex 1. Maidstone keeper Darren Marchant made a number of early saves but conceded from a quick break midway through the first half. The battling visitors levelled when Matt Emery finished the rebound following a short corner. Burnt Ash regained the lead but Maidstone made it 2-2 through captain Jimmy Christmas after a run along the baseline by Phil Luton. A mistake in the Maidstone defence led to a short corner and Burnt Ash’s winning goal.