Bay Humbled at The Gallagher

Maidstone Utd (5) 6
Lovell 14, 26
Akrofi 18
Greenhalgh 34
Kitt 45
Davies 79

Herne Bay (0) 0

at The Gallagher Stadium

Isthmian League Cup
Tuesday 25th November 2014.

Attendance: 417

by Ray Kelly

FA Cup heroes Maidstone United totally out played Herne Bay on Tuesday night in the second round of the Ryman League Cup at Maidstone. A superb display of attacking football by the Stones left the Bay chasing shadows for most of the game, and were 5-0 up at half time. The writing was on the wall as early as the first minute when the Stones had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for off side. Two minutes later Aaron Simpson sped down the right and leaving Harry Brown in his wake sent over an inch perfect cross for Bradley Jordan to nod narrowly wide. With Maidstone running riot further chances fell to Ben Greenhaigh and Charley Robertson but they couldn’t convert.

In the 14th minute Herne Bay had a great chance to take the lead when a good solo run from Steven Ita resulted in him squandering a gilt edge chance in front of goal but he fired well wide. On 16 minutes the Stones took the lead when Aaron Simpson’s speed caught out Harry Brown before he crossed an inch perfect cross for Mark Lovell to tap in. A minute later Danny Walder unleashed a great shot from 25 yards that Stones keeper Will Godman did well to save.

In the 18thminute Maidstone increased the lead when after some good inter changing between Simpson and Jordan who played in Alex Akrofi to head past Ben Kitcherside. Within a minute Akrofi was thwarted by a good Ben Kitcherside save but in the 26th minute he could do nothing to stop Mark Lovell when he ran through the Bay defence and rammed the ball home.

Herne Bays best chance of the match fell to Steven Ita when he collected a ball from Sam Hasler and with the goal at his mercy fired well wide. In the 36th minute Ben Greenhaigh made it 4-0 after Danny Walder lost control of the ball and had a simple task of slipping the ball past Ben Kitcherside. Just on half time Maidstone made it 5-0 following a corner Alfie Kitt rose unmarked at the far post to nod in.

The second half started with the Bay on the attack and Danny Williams was unlucky to see his well timed shot well saved by Will Godman in the Stones goal. On 57 minutes Akrofi should have put the Stones further ahead but he fired wide when well placed. Changes were made by Sam Denly who replaced Williams and Ita with Jordan Casey and Kane Butler. Further chances fell to Bradley Jordan but he failed in front of goal. More changes were made in the 70th minute when the
Stones brought on Harris Rogers and Charley Munnery for Mark Lovell and Ben Greenhaigh and Danny Walder came off for Elliot Cutts.

On 79 minutes Maidstone made it six when Robertson crossed for Richard Davies to head home. Herne Bay were greatly relieved when referee Mr. Killip blew for full time.

Herne Bay: Ben Kitcherside, Nathan Eastwood, Gary Sayer, Harry Brown, Connor Partridge, James Brown, Danny Walder (Elliott Cutts 60), Ben Brown, Steven Ita (Kane Butler 56), Danny Williams (Jordan Casey 57), Sam Hasler.

Subs Not Used: Daniel Johnson, Michael Turner.