Erith & Belvedere 2-1 Maidstone United - Yiadom is our man, insists Deres boss Cosgrove

The Kent League side found themselves deservedly 2-0 up inside the opening nineteen minutes, courtesy of the impressive pair, Ben Yiadom and Andrew Browne, before the stunned Ryman Premier League visitors hit back with a stunning Lloyd Blackman strike after 31 minutes.

But the Stones were left cursing their luck as they hit the woodwork FOUR times during this pre-season friendly.

Maidstone United went into this game having already beaten Great Wakering Rovers and Deres’ Kent League rivals, VCD Athletic, in their first two games, but found themselves 2-0 down early on.

Erith & Belvedere, who finished a disappointing seventh in the Kent League last season, found the net from their first corner of the game, after 15 minutes.

Taken by Browne, the ball was glanced on by Matt Bedford at the near post, and Yiadom timed his run to perfection by stroking the ball past Steve Northwood from the edge of the six-yard box.

It was the first goal that the Stones had conceded during their pre-season programme, having won their first two games by a single goal.

Worst was to follow for the higher league side as slick passing from the Deres ensured they doubled their lead within four minutes.

Yiadom, who impressed down the left, started the move of attractive one-touch passing, which left the Stones defence embarrassed.

The former Greenwich Borough winger slid the ball to Sam Prett, who flicked the ball delicately for Browne to produce an exquisite right-footed low curling shot, which left Northwood rooted to the spot, as his fifteen-yard shot, from the left-hand side of the box, found the bottom far corner.

Browne squandered an excellent chance to kill off Maidstone United but he failed to take it.

He picked up a low angled pass, took the ball around Northwood but couldn’t steer the ball past Marc Cleary, who suffered with cramp later in the game, and Ben Lewis, on the line.

But Maidstone United, who maintained their Ryman Premier League status on the final day of last season, grabbed a life-line through Blackman’s stunning strike.

A flick from the impressive Elliot Bradbrook gave the former Welling United and Folkestone Invicta striker the chance, and he cracked a stunning left-footed half-volley from 20-yards, which flew over Matt Bromby to find the top far corner.

After former Margate striker James Pinnock crashed a volley agonisingly past the foot of the near post, Blackman was the first to strike the crossbar when, after the visitors strung eleven passes together, his lob sailed over Bromby, but agonisingly bounced off the top of the crossbar.

Bromby was called into action when he pulled off a fine save to thwart Blackman, who had turned Paul Gross inside the box.

And the Stones struck the woodwork again on the stroke of half-time, this time Pinnock’s right-footed screamer beating Bromby, but the ball bounced of the angle of crossbar and far post.

The second half, however, was not as good as the first, as both sides tried out players and the game petered out.

Maidstone United, meanwhile, went on to strike the woodwork on another two occasions.

Halfway through the half, Kevin Watson, who played alongside Cleary and Lewis in a three-man defence, unleashed a right-footed shot from 35-yards, which gave Bromby no chance, only to see the ball crash against the crossbar.

By this time, the Stones had a new strike pairing in Alex Tiesse and Keelan Mooney, and the reserve team striker saw a couple of low shots flash wide.

But the home side should have increased their lead in the final thirteen minutes but substitute John Gallagher directed his header the wrong side of the near post.

Bradbrook’s luck was out in the last minute, seeing his header bounce off the crossbar.

Despite their four lucky escapes, Deres’ joint-manager Chris Cosgrove, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk  afterwards, was pleased with his side’s performance.

He said: “Yes, I thought it was a good performance. I thought first half we deserved what we got.

“We should have been 3-0 up, we missed a good chance with Andrew Browne and I know they got in a bit the last ten minutes of the first half but I feel we deserved to be in the lead.

“In the second half we made mass changes, we gave a lot of squad players, players we’re looking at, a game, but I thought we dealt with it well.

“I know they hit the bar (four times) but we had a few chances ourselves, John Gallagher missed a simple header.

“What I was pleased about, I don’t think the result wasn’t that important tonight, the main thing was the football we played, because we got the ball down and we were playing.

“I don’t think there’s any weak links out (there) and we’ve got a good all round squad at the moment.”

Cosgrove, who was without Chris Hill and Austin Berkeley, who were away on holiday, insisted Yiadom will be signing for his club.

Croydon’s manager/chairman, Dickson Gill unveiled the winger’s signing, from Greenwich Borough, a few weeks back.

But Cosgrove insisted: “I don’t know if Ben’s signing for Croydon. He said to me he hasn’t signed yet. He’s been training for Croydon but he’s not happy with the travelling.

“He’s from around here, he’s a local boy. He’s looking for a more local club - so unless he’s told me fibs, he hasn’t signed (for Croydon).

“I’ve brought him tonight to have a look at him. I know him from my Greenwich Borough days.

“He’s phoned me up, he’s not sure what he’s doing, (so I said) come and have a look.”

And on Yiadom’s performance, Cosgrove added: “Very impressive, I’d say, very impressive. He’d look good, he worked hard first half, he played it easy, got behind the defence, scored a goal for his troubles as well (with a) well timed run.

“Good player - now I’m trying to get him signed up, we’ll have a chat.”

Cosgrove was also full of praise for Browne, who appears to have taken his chance at this level.

“He was with us end of last year, coming from our reserves,” said Cosgrove. “He was with Thamesmead, came to our reserves and he’s worked hard in our reserves, got his chance at the end of last year and he’s taken it basically.

“Good luck to the boy, I hope he carry’s on with the work.”

Despite his side’s first defeat, Maidstone United’s joint-manager, Alan Walker took the positives from tonight’s game.

Walker, whose side return to Park View Road on Saturday, this time to play Blue Square South side Welling United, was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards.

“We got exactly what we wanted to get out of the game,” he said. “We learnt a few things about different players, can they play in certain positions, can’t they play in certain positions?

“Lots of plusses, lots of positives, a few negatives, which are things we’ve got to work on for the rest of pre-season.

“There’s still a little bit in terms of a couple of people were lacking in fitness tonight, who played tonight. If we had played a stronger side, we would have looked a little bit better in that respect.

“But this is what pre-season’s for, to get the whole squad games and it’s been a good workout, a very good workout for us tonight.”

Walker, who rested former Gillingham star Ian Cox, was impressed with a couple of players fighting their way into first team recognition.

“Quite a few impressed me,” said Walker. “I thought Elliot (Bradbrook) was very good for us. He played very well in centre midfield and also showed second half he could do a great job as left-wing back.

“Lots and lots of different ones. I thought young Keelan (Mooney), when he came on up front second half, did very well for us.

“A great finish from Lloyd Blackman for his goal. (James) Pinnock showed some good stuff, hit the woodwork, showed some great positives. They look a decent pairing to be fair.”

But highly-respected Walker revealed he’s still searching for that winning formula, player wise.

“I’ve been to a game today, this afternoon, looking at players,” he said. “Obviously tonight, I’m at a game tomorrow, I’m at a game Thursday night. I’m always looking for players.

“Well, I’ll keep saying this, if players become available and can improve the squad with our capabilities budget wise, every single position is up for improvement at this club, let’s put it that way.”

Erith & Belvedere: Matt Bromby, Mitchell Crawley (Barry Gibson), Ryan Robinson (Joe Penny), Richard Radbourne (John Samuel), Paul Gross, John Farley (Jason Long), Matt Bedford, Hussain Budek, Andrew Browne (Lee Benavente), Sam Prett (Ivo Rita), Ben Yiadom (John Gallagher).

Goals: Ben Yiadom 15, Andrew Browne 19

Maidstone United: Steve Northwood, Kevin Watson, Ray Freeman (James Peacock 45), Ben Lewis, Marc Cleary (Roland Edge 72), Elliott Bradbrook, Ian Selley, Aaron Lacy (Nathan Paul 59), Luke Williams (Jay Saunders 45), Lloyd Blackman (Alex Tiesse 59), James Pinnock (Keelan Mooney 59).

Goal: Lloyd Blackman 31

Attendance: 86
Referee: Mr Martin Peck (West Malling)
Assistants: Mr Tom Preston (Rochester) & Mr Peter Cruise (Erith)