Carshalton Athletic 0-1 Maidstone United - It's good to have Saunders on board, says Nott

Thursday 11th February 2010

CARSHALTON ATHLETIC 0-1 MAIDSTONE UNITED
Ryman Premier League
Thursday 11th February 2010
Stephen McCartney reports from Colston Avenue

MIDFIELDER Craig Stone made a successful return to the game as he played a major part in helping Peter Nott win his first game as Maidstone United's new boss.

The 21-year-old former Gillingham player broke his leg whilst playing for Ebbsfleet United in their FA Carlsberg Trophy quarter-final goal-less draw at Wrexham in 2008 and therefore missed out on the club’s glorious Wembley victory over Torquay United.

And in October 2009, Ebbsfleet United revealed that Stone had broken his leg for a second time and although his contract finished at the end of the previous season, the Fleet Trust put their hands in their pockets to help the popular player financially.

And he made an impressive debut for Maidstone United tonight, playing an excellent diagonal through ball for striker James Pinnock to score the game’s only goal five minutes before the break.

Maidstone’s first goal in 413 minutes of football, ensured they climbed up to fourteenth place in the Ryman Premier League table - seven points adrift of the play-offs or six points above the drop zone.

Without the likes of Jay Saunders, Roland Edge, Tom Parkinson and Lynden Rowland, Maidstone United put in a resilient shift, in what has been a tough week for the club.

Joint-managers Lloyd Hume and Alan Walker resigned on Monday, citing that they had taken the club “as far as they could” after five-years in charge, and Hendon scored three goals in Nott’s first game in charge the following night.

But there was a sense of unity tonight all around the park - and with Peter Hawkins excellent in marshalling at the heart of defence - the work ethic was there for all to see on a bitterly cold night in front of just 179 fans at Colston Avenue.

Carshalton Athletic, who were defeated by Staines Town in last season’s play-off final, lacked firepower up front as star striker Richard Jolly didn’t get much change out of a solid back-four, as Maidstone United built an amber brick wall in front of keeper Jamie Turner.

Stone was involved in all good things for the Kent side and he played a fine ball for Pinnock, who found Danny Hockton and the striker flicked the ball over his head, but Nick Hamann comfortably plucked the ball out of the air.

Carshalton Athletic midfielder Kenny Beaney delivered most of the home side’s set-pieces and his free-kick was met skipper David Woozley, who came up from the heart of the home side’s defence, to glance his header just past the post.

With Carshalton Athletic looking lively down the left-wing through Rashid Kamara, they found their visitors in determined mood, but the game was won in the 40th minute, courtesy of the best pass of the game.

Stone, who played for Nott at the age of fourteen, cut open the Carshalton defence (a fine low pass in between Woozley and left-back Rob Watkins) to find Pinnock, and the former Margate striker drove a right-footed shot from just inside the box across the keeper to slot the ball into the bottom far corner.

The goal was against the run of play, and despite the hosts enjoying plenty of second half possession, Turner had one of his quieter nights with central defender Hawkins in excellent form, keeping danger man Jolly at bay.

Turner did make a comfortable save from Beaney as the playmaker tried his luck from 30-yards and midfield general Nick Barnes’ 35-yard drive on the run sailed over the Carshalton crossbar at the other end.

The diving Turner was a relieved man to see an angled drive from striker Craig Faulconbrige from 35-yards scream past his left-hand post.

Carshalton manager Francis Vines was clearly an unhappy man afterwards and substitute David Ray should have done better (after cutting in from the right) but his left-footed drive was comfortably saved by Turner.

Vines threw three-men up top for the final fifteen minutes and the hosts threw the kitchen sink at a resilient Maidstone.

But Maidstone substitute, Keelan Mooney, who came on to partner Pinnock, really should have grabbed a second when a chance was presented to him from inside the penalty area, but he was thwarted by Hamann, who blocked the shot at his near post.

Beaney squandered Carshalton’s best chance late on, turning inside the box before sending a rasping drive just over Turner’s crossbar.

Maidstone threw their bodies on the line for their new first-team manager and despite a few hairy moments they claimed a hard-fought and morale boosting three points.

“The first half was much more of a football performance, Nott, who has been promoted from the club’s reserve team manager to take on the first-team managers role, told www.kentishfootball.co.uk as he emerged from the tiny away dressing room.

“The second half we battled down and tried to hold on a little bit. We invited them on but I think a lot of that was the game on Tuesday.

“I thought we looked very leggy in the second half towards the later stages.”

Nott was pleased that his side bounced back from their 3-0 home defeat to Hendon to climb up the league table tonight.

“The last ten minute they just threw another player up front and they was launching it long,” he said.

“It’s a lot better tonight. Tuesday was frustrating, tonight was a workmanlike performance. I’ve been absolutely delighted with the effort from the boys and the commitment - they’ve accepted me in straight away and we’ve got a good team spirit in there and those three points helped greatly.”

Nott gave Stone a glowing report on his return to the game.

“I’ve had Craig playing for me since he was fourteen and he’s a quality player,” he said.

“That was his first game back for over a year, he probably tired for the last 15 or 20 minutes but the pass that he picked out, that’s all about his game.”

Nott hopes he can tie Stone to the club for a lengthy period, although part-time football may prove to be the downfall in keeping him.

He said: “All the time he’s with us it will be good for us, hopefully good for him as well.

“All Craig wants to do is get back into full-time football and I can understand that.

“He’s still only 21 and he’s got to prove to himself that he can play at that level again. The relationship is good between me and him and he will stay here as long as he’s good for us and it’s good for him.”

Nott also revealed that Jay Saunders has accepted the club’s offer to take up the role as player-coach.

“Jay’s on board,” he said. “He’s been part of the team talks for the last couple of games in the dressing room and it’s great to have someone of Jay’s experience on board.

“He’s got a great relationship with the players and I’m pleased to have him along.”

Carshalton Athletic: Nick Hamann, Karl Murray, Rob Watkins (Justyn Roberts 66), David Woozley, Joe Dolan, Kenny Beaney, Barry Stevens, Gerry Gonella (Michael-Lee Charles 75), Craig Faulconbridge, Richard Jolly, Rashid Kamara (David Ray 60).

Subs: Orlando Smith, Steffan Cox.

Maidstone United: Jamie Turner, Nathan Paul, Jermaine Darlington (Ant Bodle 87), James Peacock, Peter Hawkins, Ashley Ulph, Craig Stone, Steve Elliott, James Pinnock, Danny Hockton (Keelan Mooney 76), Nick Barnes.

Subs: Ashley Russell, Alex Flisher, Adam Harris.

Goal: James Pinnock 40

Attendance: 179

Referee: Mr Colin Lymer (Mayfield, Surrey)

Assistants: Mr Colin Mallows (Burgess Hill, West Sussex) & Mr Simon Griffiths (Horsham, West Sussex)