United 0
Maidstone 2
(Amantchi 45+2′, 69′)
United suffered FA Cup disappointment on Saturday, as Maidstone ran out 2-0 winners at Plainmoor.
Two goals from Levi Amantchi either side of half-time put Maidstone in control, and despite Torquay’s best efforts, that was the way it remained.
Following the league defeat against the same opponents and the same venue last weekend, Gulls boss Gary Johnson opted to make one change, with Finley Craske recalled to the starting line-up in place of the suspended Ross Marshall.
Having made a slow start last week, United were certainly quick out the traps this time around.
Twice inside the first 20 minutes Tom Lapslie came within a whisker of breaking the deadlock, first after taking down a delightful long pass, before straight at Stones goalkeeper Lucas Covolan, before a spot of pinball inside the visiting penalty area ended with The Gulls’ midfielder firing a low drive towards goal shortly after. On that occasion, a combination of ‘keeper and desperate defending kept the scoreline blank.
On 25 minutes, it was Aaron Jarvis’ turn to threaten, as he came within inches of profiting from Jack Stobbs’ corner, with his hooked effort just about to cross the goalline, before a Maidstone defender hacked the ball away.
At this stage, the visitors were struggling to get out their own half.
The Stones did rouse themselves a little more as time wore on, but as the match approached the halfway point, it was Johnson’s men who were largely still calling the shots.
It was therefore a huge sucker-punch when United fell behind in time added on at the end of the first 45 minutes.
A shot from outside the box initially seemed to cause little worry, and although Halstead had to get down to parry the low shot away from goal, with a defensive colleague in attendance, the Yellow Army awaited for the danger to be swiftly put to bed so that another attack could ensue.
Unfortunately, despite Halstead appearing to gather the ball at the second attempt, the advancing Amantchi was allowed to prod the ball out the United ‘keeper’s hands, and bundle the ball into the back of the net. Firm protestations that a foul had been committed followed, but they failed to meet with the referee’s approval.
Still The Gulls could have levelled before the break, with Jarvis heading a Stobbs corner against the crossbar, but when the whistle blew, it remained 0-1.
Once the action got back underway, both sides traded proverbial punches in pursuit for the game’s next goal, but it was again Torquay who went closest.
One excellent passing move just short of the hour mark saw United carve open the visiting backline on the edge of the box, however Jarvis’ cross-shot lacked the finishing touch, as it drifted agonisingly wide of the far-post.
That near-miss was to gain added importance in the 69th minutes, as The Stones doubled their lead.
Substitite Razzaq Coleman De-Graft’s shot from the edge of the box forced Halstead to dive full length to keep it out, and although he diverted the ball away from goal, it was again Amantchi who proved most decisive inside the box, as he fired home the loose ball to make it 0-2.
Johnson’s side never give up, but the combined efforts of all their players was unable to spark the response required, with Maidstone content to sit back on the two-goal margin they had established.
Next week sees attentions rightly switch back to National League South matters, when Welling come to Plainmoor on Community Day.
UNITED: 1. Mark Halstead, 4. Tom Lapslie, 9. Aaron Jarvis, 10. Lewis Collins (7. Ryan Hanson, 81′), 11. Brad Ash, 14. Brett McGavin (8. Asa Hall, 76′), 15. Finley Craske (3. Dan Martin, 81′), 16. Shaun Donnellan, 21. Dean Moxey (c), 23. Ollie Tomlinson, 27. Jack Stobbs.
SUBS NOT USED: 22. Rhys Lovett, 24. Calum Thomas.
Yellow Cards: Jarvis 89′
MAIDSTONE: 1. Lucas Covolan, 5. George Fowler, 6. Raphe Brown, 8. Sam Corne (c), 9. Sol Wanjau-Smith, 11. Devonte Aransibia, 14. Harry Kyprianou, 15. Sam Bone, 16. Liam Sole (2. Gavin Hoyte, 56′), 17. Levi Amantchi (19. Perri Iandolo, 71′), 18. Michael Petrasso (7. Razzaq Coleman De-Graft, 64′).
SUBS NOT USED: 3. Elliot Wenham, 10. Tyler Hatton, 12. Harley Earle, 20. Riley Court
Yellow Cards: Bone 35′
Attendance: 1,636 (91 away)