Thursday 28th August 2008

Maidstone United 4 - 0 Horsham

Tony Cornwell's new batch of Under 18's started their latest Ryman Youth League campaign with a home fixture at their new home ground of Bourne Park against Horsham. With a large number of last season's squad ineligible because they are now too old for this competition, it was still encouraging to note that 6 of the starting team had played in this league last season.

From the outset, The Stones looked sharper and stronger than their Sussex opponents and it was delightful to see the ball passed around to feet and at a very high tempo too. The opening goal came from Kurtis Buckingham, a midfielder who impressed throughout the game in the 17th minute. He received the ball on the right, cut inside the penalty area and slotted his shot past Dominic Birchell in the Horsham goal. The crowd were slightly unsure as to whether the shot had actually gone it, the doubt being caused by a hole in the goal net!

Despite controlling the first half Maidstone could not add to their tally until the second half when full back Tom Parkinson headed home from a corner which was flighted to the back post. On the hour, it was 3-0 as Scott Ibbertson found the net from 25 yards out with a fine, low strike into the bottom right hand corner of the net. Despite the sterling efforts of Horsham's Tony Nwachukwu, the visitors did not look like troubling keeper Harry Lee and it was little surprise when centre forward Scott Byers neatly flicked home a 4th goal from close range 9 minutes from time.

This win places The Stones in second place in the South East Division table behind leaders Lewes who have 6 points from 2 games played. Maidstone visit Lewes at The Dripping Pan next Monday at 7-45pm.