In a potential rehearsal for a play-off semi final match in a couple of weeks time, Maidstone United emerged victorious as they ensured the long trip to Cornwall was well worth it for the large travelling contingent of Stones fans. The victory also means that Maidstone will finish no lower than third place in an impressive debut season in the Conference South.
After back-to-back defeats against Sutton and Dartford, Jay Saunders made a couple of changes to the team. Bobby-Joe Taylor came in for the injured Callum Driver whilst Dumebi Dumaka and Jay May were paired together up front.
And it was Dumaka who gave the Stones the lead with just six minutes gone. A poor clearance from goalkeeper Martin Rice was cut out by Vas Karagiannis and he found Tom Mills. Mills floated the ball into the area and it was met by Dumaka who sent a looping header into the net.
Seconds later, Karagiannis tried to put Dumaka in on goal and his shot was stopped by the feet of Rice. The rebound came out to Alex Flisher whose effort was also blocked and then with 13 minutes gone Flisher should have stretched Maidstone’s lead. The Stones’ winger only had Rice to beat after he had latched onto Dumaka’s through goal but he dragged his shot wide of the far post.
The game then entered a bit of a lull before the visitors equalised. Callum Davies’ header dropped to Matty Jay who got a shot in but Davies managed to recover and he got the ball away from goal. However, Maidstone were unable to clear their lines and the ball came back out to Ryan Brett who was lurking on the edge of the area and his drive flew past Lee Worgan.
All of a sudden, Truro looked the more likely of the two sides to score again. And it wasn’t long before they created another chance as Dan Green found Cody Cooke only for Cooke to put the ball wide of the right hand post.
But with 36 minutes gone, the Stones edged back in front. Once again a long throw from Alex Flisher was to prove to be productive for the visitors and this time he hurled the ball onto the head of Jay May who rose well to nod the ball into the net.
Isaac Vassell then went close for the home side with a long range effort before Dumaka and May combined well for the Stones. May picked out Karagiannis who was on the right hand side of the area and he cut inside before seeing a shot deflect just wide of the left hand post.
However, with the game in first half stoppage time, Truro could have drawn level. Manny Parry was unable to stop Jay getting in down the right hand side only for Worgan to come to the rescue for Maidstone as he made a save with his legs.
There wasn’t much to note in the early part of the second half until not long past the hour mark when the Stones made sure of the win. A long throw from Flisher was only partially cleared to Karagiannis and he passed to Flisher who whipped in an enticing cross which was headed in by May.
Jay Saunders then replaced Dumaka, who had suffered a blow to the head in the first half, with Charles Banya and Banya went close with an effort which deflected just wide of the right hand post. From the resultant corner, Flisher’s ball in looked to have curled straight over the line before Rice pushed it out but the goal wasn’t awarded.
The final chance of the match then fell to the Stones. Some nice build up play involving May ended with Banya turning and surging to the by-line and he pulled the ball into the middle where it was met by substitute Alex Akrofi and he saw his shot deflect wide.
Truro City: Ryan Brett 25
Maidstone United: Dumebi Dumaka 6, Jay May 36, 62
Truro City: Martin Rice, Aaron Dawson (Pierce Mitchell 63), Shane White, Jake Ash, Jamie Richards, Ryan Brett, Ben Adelsbury, Dan Green, Matty Jay (Les Afful 63), Isaac Vassell, Cody Cooke (Matthew Wright 71). Subs not used: Tom Mchale, Ollie Knowles.
Maidstone United: Lee Worgan, Bobby-Joe Taylor, Tom Mills, Callum Davies, Manny Parry, James Rogers, Vas Karagiannis (Matt Bodkin 72), Dan Sweeney, Jay May, Dumebi Dumaka (Charles Banya 63), Alex Flisher (Alex Akrofi 75). Subs not used: Callum Driver, Jack Paxman
http://www.maidstoneunited.co.uk/fixture_and_result/truro-city-1-3-maidstone-united/
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