Kentish Football 
LIVE TEXT: Dartford 1-0 Maidstone United
DARTFORD 1-0 MAIDSTONE UNITED
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 31st January 2009
Stephen McCartney reports from Princes Park Stadium
Rob Haworth punishes an error from returning Maidstone United goalkeeper Andy Walker to hand Dartford victory in front of 2,013 at Princes Park today.
Click here to read our LIVE COVERAGE - report and reaction will follow on Sunday.
RESULT: DARTFORD 1-0 MAIDSTONE UNITED
The Darts claim the local bragging rights, courtesy of Rob Haworth’s 12th goal of the season.
STANDING OVATION
Rob Haworth, potential match winner, is substituted and is replaced by James White, in the first minute of time added on.
FIVE MINUTES OF TIME ADDED ON
There will be five minutes of time added on - which is greeted by a chorus of boos from the home faithful.
87:00 THOMPSON HEADS OVER FOR MAIDSTONE
Yet another Aaron Lacy long throw causes problems and a flick from Jay Saunders on the edge of the box, sees James Peacock cut the ball back to Elliiot Bradbrook and his left-footed cross was met by Craig Thompson’s header in the middle, which cleared the Dartford crossbar.
84:00 DISAPPOINTING MAIDSTONE
A good move from the visitors’ ends in disappointment as Aaron Lacy delivers a right-footed cross from the right but Elliot Bradbrook rises to glance his header well wide.
83:00 NOBLE BOOKED
Darts substitute Lee Noble becomes the third player today to be booked.
81:00 NOBLE FREE-KICK JUST OVER
Dartford substitute Lee Noble runs up to the ball and cracks a right-footed free-kick from 25-yards on the right-hand side and the ball flies just over the crossbar.
80:00 DARTFORD DENIED
With Ryan Hayes now off the pitch, Jamie Day takes the corner from the left and his out-swinging delivery is met on the half-volley by Jamie Coyle, which beats goalkeeper Andy Walker but is cleared off the line by one of many Stones defenders in the goalmouth.
77:00 DARTFORD SECOND CHANGE
Ryan Hayes is replaced by Lee Noble.
75:00 STONES SHOT SMASHES AGAINST UNDERSIDE OF THE BAR
Maidstone United’s first chance of the second half ends in agony as Elliot Bradbrook cuts in and from a central position from 25-yards, his right-footed shot crashes agonisingly down off the underside of the crossbar after the ball screams over Dartford goalkeeper Andrew Young.
67:00 McDONALD NEEDS TREATMENT AGAIN - AND IS REPLACED
Dartford striker Cody McDonald walks off after his second spell of treatment and is replaced by Brendon Cass, last season’s leading goalscorer.
63:00 DARTFORD 1-0 MAIDSTONE UNITED
A blunder from Maidstone United goalkeeper Andy Walker saw him robbed by Dartford striker Rob Haworth on the edge of the penalty area and despite the striker being forced wide the former Margate striker cracks a stunning right-footed shot, from an acute angle, to score his 12th goal of the season.
60:00 SECOND YELLOW
Jay Saunders becomes the second Maidstone United player to be booked, for fouling Jamie Day, after Adam Gross evaded a couple of challenges from the Maidstone midfielder.
60:00 STONES’ SECOND CHANGE
The Stones make a tactical change on the hour-mark as Craig Thompson replaces Lloyd Blackman.
57:00 FIRST CARD
Maidstone United’s long-throw specialist Aaron Lacy becomes the first player to be booked by Chipstead referee Nigel Lugg.
55:00 DARTFORD FORCE TWO SUCCESSIVE CORNERS
Ryan Hayes whips in yet another corner from the right, which is met by a downward far post header by striker Cody McDonald, but he heads down and agonisingly past the post as the home fans raise the volume.
ATTENDANCE
The attendance of 2,013 is the largest at Princes Park this season.
52:00 HANDBALL CLAIMS WAVED AWAY
Dartford have penalty claims turned aside as the grounded Nathan Paul appears to have used his hands as Adam Gross tries to ghost in behind him down the left.
CONCERN
There is concern for the Stones as both Meshach Nugent (inside the dug-out) and Nathan Paul require treatment - but both are able to continue after treatment.
SECOND HALF:
Dartford get the second half underway as the sun goes down and the temperature drops.
HALF TIME: DARTFORD 0-0 MAIDSTONE UNITED
45:00+ WALKER CALLED INTO ACTION
The lively Ryan Hayes delivers a free-kick from the right and Andy Walker punches away under pressure and the ball drops to Jamie Day and his driven right-footed shot from 25-yards, through a crowd of players, brings a low save from the goalkeeper, diving low to his left on his goal-line
CARSHALTON LEVEL
Richard Jolly levels for Carshalton Athletic at Ashford Town (Middlesex). The score is currently 1-1.
McDONALD CONTINUES
After treatment, Cody McDonald rejoins the action.
41:00 ANOTHER HAYES CROSS
Dartford’s Ryan Hayes whips in another teasing cross from the right and John Guest gets in front of goalkeeper Andy Walker, but the ball flashes just wide of the near post.
40:00 McDONALD SCARE
Eleven scouts from Football League clubs are concerned as Dartford striker Cody McDonald feels the full brunt of James Peacock’s challenge, and needs treatment on the sidelines as the game continues.
36:00 BLACKMAN FREE-KICK
After Maidstone striker Meshach Nugent was fouled one yard outside the penalty area, Lloyd Blackman’s right-footed curling free-kick bends around the five-man wall, but Andrew Young made a comfortable low save, in front of his body.
33:00
Brave goalkeeping from Stones goalkeeper Andy Walker, denies Cody McDonald, who is felled, as winger Ryan Hayes whips in a delightful cross from the right flank.
32:00 BRADBROOK HEADS WIDE
A free kick from Stones goalkeeper Andy Walker, close to the half-way line, bounces off Elliot Bradbrook’s head, and ends up into the terracing.
31:00 BEST CHANCE
Maidstone United have their best chance of the game as striker Meshach Nugent turns two Dartford defenders just outside the box and his driven shot takes a deflection and flashes just past the far post, with goalkeeper Andrew Young relieved to see the ball go wide.
30:00 LEWIS INJURED
Maidstone United skipper Ben Lewis is replaced by James Peacock, due to injury - but the game and atmosphere quietens down.
21:00 DARTFORD’S FIRST CORNER
Ryan Hayes’ delivers a poor low corner from the right, which finds its way to midfielder Jamie Day and his right-footed drive from the edge of the box rises over the crossbar.
CARSHALTON LOSING
Good news from Short Lane as Carshalton Athletic, the side that occupy the final play-off berth, are losing 1-0 at Ashford Town (Middlesex).
18:00 EDGE IS OVER
Another Aaron Lacy throw causes problems for the Darts and striker Lloyd Blackman turns on the edge of the Darts box before setting up Roland Edge, whose right-footed shot from 20-yards, sails harmlessly over.
COVERAGE
Kentish Football will be providing you live text updates, but both Kent club’s are providing audio and video coverage on their websites. BBC Radio Kent will also be providing coverage of this Kent showdown.
9:00 BE MY GUEST
Dartford defender, John Guest, drills a right-footed shot from 25-yards, which flashes harmlessly past the right-hand post as the home side start in a lively fashion.
7:00 WALKER CALLED INTO ACTION
Following a Jamie Coyle throw, Ryan Hayes cuts along the right by-line, beating the Stones defence, and from an acute angle, his shot was parried by Stones goalkeeper Andy Walker.
5:00 STAR MAN’S FIRST CHANCE
Dartford are awarded a free-kick down the right and midfielder Jamie Day stabs the ball short to winger Ryan Hayes and his far-post cross is met by much sought-after striker Cody McDonald, who heads into Andy Walker’s grateful arms at the near post.
PASSION
Both sets of supporters, as expected, are giving their heroes excellent support on a chilly day at Princes Park.
FIRST HALF CHANCE
The Stones have the first half chance of the game. Aaron Lacy launched a long throw into the Dartford penalty area inside the opening two minutes, which resulted in an over head kick from striker Lloyd Blackman, which balloons high over Andrew Young’s crossbar.
KICK OFF
Both sides have to change ends, as Maidstone United, wearing all amber, get the game underway.
KENTISH PRIDE
Skipper’s John Guest (Dartford) and Ben Lewis walk out, in between a guard of honour, of the players-tunnel with both sets of supporters’ giving their sides passionate support. This has the making’s off an excellent match. Let’s hope it lives up to expectations.
14:50
As both sets of supporters disappear back down the tunnel to listen to instructions from their managers, Princes Park is filling up. This is the Stones’ first ever visit to Princes Park and we can expect a very passionate clash between two sides fighting it out for a place in the Ryman Premier League play-off’s.
14:35 - TEAM NEWS
Dartford kept faith with the same said that won 3-0 at Horsham in their last league game seven days ago. Maidstone United, meanwhile, make a couple of changes. Andy Walker and Aaron Lacy come in for Steve Northwood and James Pinnock (suspended).
INTEREST
Eleven scouts from Football League clubs have requested passes to watch Dartford striker Cody McDonald, who has scored 19 goals in 16 starts for the club this season.
13:50
Maidstone United boss Lloyd Hume gives us the “thumbs up” as goalkeeper Andy Walker (shoulder) passes his fitness test. Fellow stopper, Steve Northwood, drilled shots either side of the former Bromley goalkeeper, making him make low saves.
Dartford: Andrew Young, Jamie Coyle, Adam Gross, Adam Flanagan, John Guest, Tommy Osborne, Ryan Hayes (Lee Noble 77), Jamie Day, Rob Haworth (James White 90), Cody McDonald (Brendon Cass 68), Danny Dafter.
Subs: Seun Eferakoho, Lee Noble, Deren Ibrahim.
Goals: Rob Haworth 63
Booked: Lee Noble 83
Maidstone United: Andy Walker, Nathan Paul, Ashley Ulph, Ben Lewis (James Peacock 30), Peter Hawkins, Roland Edge, Meshach Nugent, Jay Saunders, Aaron Lacy, Lloyd Blackman (Craig Thompson 60), Elliot Bradbrook.
Subs: Nevada Pascale, Keelan Mooney, Steve Northwood.
Booked: Aaron Lacy 57, Jay Saunders 60
Attendance: 2,013
Referee: Mr Nigel Lugg (Chipstead, Surrey)
Assistants: Mr John Flynn (Crawley, West Sussex) & Mr Simon Griffiths (Horsham, West Sussex)
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