Stones 2nd half show leaves City on knees

Three second half goals sent City to defeat against promotion chasing Maidstone United at the Gallagher Stadium this afternoon. After City had enjoyed the better of the first half – although they had a big escape just before the interval – the the Stones took control with two goals early in the second period to run out comfortable winners.

City pressed the hosts from the start and Ewan Clark sliced their first opening wide on seven minutes. Six minutes later Brad Ash harried Fowler into a mistake but could only find the side-netting from a difficult angle. Another slip at the back on 19 minutes gave Luke Russe a sight of goal but his well-struck shot was straight at keeper Andre Jr. City continued to enjoy the upper hand without creating any further openings and a minute before the break they should have fallen behind. Blair broke clear down the left and centred the ball for Krasniqi but he somehow fired wide of an open goal from six yards out.

This reprieve only lasted ten minutes into the second half. A swift break from a City corner saw Harvey Wiles-Richards save well from Leahy but the resultant corner was headed home by Greenidge. And four minutes later a slip by Jack Batten as he looked to have disposed Blair allowed the forward to make it 2-0. Maidstone now looked a completely different side on the back of this quick-fire double and were suddenly pushing for a third goal. Brookes almost picked out Leahy with a great cross on 72 minutes then six minutes later Brookes crashed a shot against the bar. Clark saw a shot warm the hands of Andre Jr then had the keeper diving at full-length with an effort that just cleared the bar. And the Stones completed their victory three minutes into stoppage time when Seaman raced forward and slipped the ball past Wiles-Richards.