Sutton Battle To Secure Point At Maidstone

In a fairly even game in Kent Sutton United fought their way to a deserved point in a front of a large crowd at the Gallagher Stadium

It was the U’s who started the brightest, with Deacon bursting past the defensive line early on but firing his effort against angle of post and crossbar. The ‘magic man’ had a half chance even earlier than that, firing wide on the turn from the edge of the box. Coombes too came close early on, with Lee Worgan getting down well to make a good save. Despite this early start United were unable to maintain their attacking intensity, though in fairness Maidstone rarely threatened in the first half with Will Puddy in the Sutton goal not tested. There was a penalty appeal for the home side when Tom Mills down but nothing was given by the referee, who made some very interesting decisions all evening.

The second half was a much more entertaining affair, and it didn’t take long for Sutton to take the lead. Kieron Cadogan was released down the left hand side and his ball across goal was the kind of delivery that gives defenders nightmares. With Adam Coombes lurking Jamie Coyle had to try and get something on the ball, but on the stretch only managed to turn it into his own net. This sparked the Stones into life and on the hour mark Puddy was finally called into action, saving Pigott’s close range effort at his near post. The equaliser came 10 minutes later after Jamar Loza went down rather easily in the box and the referee gave the penalty. Loza stepped up himself and fired the penalty perfectly into the bottom left hand corner, Puddy getting close but not quite reaching the ball. Less than a minute after this goal a cross found Coombes in the box, and his effort hit the top of the crossbar with Worgan beaten. Minutes later Pigott found himself in behind the U’s defence but Worgan was able to parry his effort with Beckwith clearing the follow up. With Beckwith picking up an injury after all 3 subs had been made Sutton had to reshuffle and came under pressure late on, but the closest Maidstone came to a winner was a deflected effort off the crossbar. There was nearly a chance from a corner right at the death after Puddy spilt the ball but the ball was cleared to safety in the resulting scramble, the full time whistle being blown as it was.

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