United 0
Maidstone 1
(Bone 69′)
Match Sponsor:
David Perrott & Family
Despite a gutsy effort, ten-man United suffered defeat on Saturday, as a single goal saw Maidstone come out on top at Plainmoor.
With Ross Marshall’s sending off paving the way for Mark Halstead’s terrific penalty save, Gary Johnson’s men took the game to their opponents, before eventually being undone by Sam Bone’s second-half effort.
Given the convincing nature of last weekend’s 5-0 FA Cup win over Hungerford, it was perhaps not surprising that manager Johnson elected to go with the same starting eleven, although there was a welcome return to the matchday squad for Asa Hall, as The Gulls’ skipper took his place on the bench.
The respective league positions prior to kick-off suggested that this affair would be a closely-fought one, and the early stages certainly appeared to back that up, although it was the visitors who enjoyed most of the early possession.
A string of Maidstone corners served as a reminder of the away team’s intent, and on the 30-minute mark, United’s slow start was punished, as they were reduced to ten men.
A loose throw back towards goal saw Marshall forced to intervene against the advancing Levi Amantchi, and although The Gulls defender maintained his innocence, the referee not only deemed the 18-yard box challenge warranted a penalty, but also gave Marshall his marching orders.
The Yellow Army may be almost accustomed to Halstead’s heroics inbetween the sticks for Torquay, however his reputation gained even more endorsements moments later, as the United No.1 dived low to his right to keep out Amantchi’s spot-kick, and maintain parity for his side.
After that, The Gulls could even have gone ahead, as Aaron Jarvis made the most of some rare space inside the box by sending in a diagonal shot towards the bottom corner – it looked in – which former Torquay stopper Lucas Covolan had to dive full-length to keep out.
Goalless at the change of ends.
Having nearly edged in front just before the break, they again went close to breaking the deadlock seconds after the restart.
Brett McGavin’s turn on the right of right of the 18-yard box was too much for his opponent, and after delivering an absolute peach of a cross onto the head of Jarvis six yards out, it was with much frustration that Plainmoor held its collective breath before seeing the ball dip just wide of goal, with Covolan beaten.
Showing admirable spirit against the odds, Johnson’s men continued to set about their opponents, as they continued to enjoy their best spell of the game.
In the 67th minutes, an over-the-top flick from Lewis Collins allowed Jack Stobbs to float another delivery into the box, with Tom Lapslie this time sending a looping header wide.
Moments later, The Stones went in front.
With United only partially clearing a deep free-kick the ball bounced kindly to Bone just outside the box, allowing him to direct his volley past Halstead and into the net.
It was a bitter pill for The Gulls to swallow, and their cause wasn’t helped by a number of debatable decisions that appeared to go against them.
The chances for redemption kept coming though.
With six minutes remaining, a ball over the top caught Maidstone out, and although Brad Ash got there first, he could only send his one-on-one drive over the crossbar.
At times, Maidstone were forced to pack their own penalty area to preserve their lead, and content themselves with a few brief counter attacks.
The Stones did manage to hold out, and although this defeat, in these circumstances, will be difficult to take, there is at least the perfect chance to avenge the result next Saturday.
UNITED: 1. Mark Halstead, 4. Tom Lapslie, 6. Ross Marshall, 9. Aaron Jarvis, 10. Lewis Collins, 11. Brad Ash, 14. Brett McGavin (8. Asa Hall, 77′), 16. Shaun Donnellan, 21. Dean Moxey (c) (15. Finley Craske, 80′), 23. Ollie Tomlinson (7. Ryan Hanson, 89′), 27. Jack Stobbs.
SUBS NOT USED: 22. Rhys Lovett, 24. Calum Thomas.
Yellow Cards: McGavin 21′, Jarvis 68′
MAIDSTONE: 1. Lucas Covolan, 4. Reiss Greenidge, 5. George Fowler, 6. Raphe Brown (2. Gavin Hoyte, 83′), 8. Sam Corne (c), 9. Sol Wanjau-Smith (19. Joseph Gbode, 63′), 11. Devonte Aransibia, 14. Michael Petrasso (7. Razzaq Coleman De-Graft, 72′), 15. Sam Bone, 17. Levi Amantchi, 18. Harry Kyprianou.
SUBS NOT USED: 12. Harley Earle, 16. Liam Sole.
Yellow Cards: Petrasso 28′
Attendance: 2,436 (110 away)