Sunday 26th April 2009

Maidstone United Rangers 3 - 2 Castle Wanderers

The last game of the season probably saw the best game of the season, Castle, probably the form team in the League, needed a win to go above MPE and put Maidstone under pressure for the Division Three title. Maidstone knew a win or draw and the title was theirs, no matter what the decision on their un-played Hollingbourne match.

Castle started the stronger and were soon 1-0 up when from a free-kick Nick Louth made a great effort to clear the ball but could only divert it into the back of the Maidstone net. Maidstone started to show signs that they could get back into the match when Nick, Sam Hubbard and Aseem Rana combined to threaten the Castle goal. The game ebbed and flowed, Nick Henson the Maidstone keeper pulling off a couple of fine saves to keep the score at 1-0.

Maidstone's top scorer brought the sides level with a fantastic volley that gave the Castle keeper no chance and Maidstone started to look the stronger side with some fine football but the first half finished 1-1.

The Maidstone's managers talk at half time obviously had no effect as they started the second half in the same fashion as the first soon going behind for the second time in the game. But again as the half wore on Maidstone got more possession and this soon told when Aseem made it 30 goals for the season with a great chip over an advancing keeper.

Then the Maidstone manager stepped in by bringing on Matthew King with a command of 'don't come off this pitch without scoring!'. Two minutes later Matt scored his first of the season with a shot from the edge of the box that deflected past the stranded Castle keeper. Again I have got mention Aseem who on a hat-trick (already has 5!) played the ball back to Matt very unselfishly for the goal.

3-2 was how the game finished which meant Maidstone had the won the league in style!