Kentish Football 
Thamesmead Town 1-2 Maidstone United - Winning becomes a good habit, says Stones boss Jay Saunders
Tuesday 19th July 2011
THAMESMEAD TOWN 1-2 MAIDSTONE UNITED
Pre-Season Friendly
Tuesday 19th July 2011
Stephen McCartney reports from Bayliss Avenue
MAIDSTONE UNITED chalked up their second successive pre-season win with an impressive first half showing against Thamesmead Town.
The Stones dominated the entire first half and went into the break with a deserved 2-0 lead through James Pinnock and Graeme Andrews, before Thamesmead turned the tables and pulled a goal back through midfielder Callum Mageehan on the hour.
Maidstone United’s player-manager, Jay Saunders, 32, who got through the first 45 minutes, having not trained for a couple of weeks because of a calf strain, was pleased that his side secured back-to-back wins, as they won their opening warm-up game by the same score at Kent Invicta League side Bearsted at the weekend.
“It’s always good to get a win, I thought we done alright,” he said.
“I thought we controlled the game quite comfortably, scored a couple of good goals, but in the second half we made a few changes, they did as well, it became a bit disjoined, but it was a good run out. A few of the boys got 90 minutes.”
Goalkeeper Charlie Mitten and defensive trio, Karl Knight (a trialist, released by Crystal Palace), Tommy Osborne and Andrews, got through the entire 90 minutes, whilst for Thamesmead, goalkeeper Sam Mott and left-back Danny Moore played the whole game.
Thamesmead Town boss Keith McMahon said: “It was a good, competitive game. It looked like two decent sides. First half we were very ring rusty and Maidstone started really well, playing at a good tempo, (they were) a very solid side.
“We lacked a little bit of shape and we played a brand new formation that we’re not used to. We’ve done a bit in pre-season, we’ve had six or seven new faces in the starting eleven. It took a little while getting used to it.
“We conceded the two goals, which we’re poor goals to concede as well, but we did try to play second half. Yes, both sides made a lot of changes but we looked a lot better going forward, our passing and our shape was a lot better.”
Maidstone United, now back in Ryman League Division One South following relegation last season, started the game on the front foot and only a flying save from Mott prevented Shaun Welford from opening the scoring, a right-footed shot, which was tipped onto the crossbar by the highly-rated keeper after only 80 seconds.
It was no surprise when the Stones deservedly opened the scoring inside the eighth minute – a mistake from Thamesmead debutant James Donovan (a summer signing from East Thurrock United), which proved costly.
The impressive Jimmy Humphris (who partnered Saunders in the middle of the park for the first half), clipped a free-kick into the penalty area and Donovan thought the ball was going to bounce out of play. But former Margate target-man, Shaun Welford chased a lost cause, got to the ball first and from the left by-line cut the ball back for Pinnock to hook a right-footed volley past Mott from two-yards out.
Saunders admitted Welford and Pinnock have forged a great partnership together during their time at Hartsdown Park.
He said: “They know each other from being at Margate, but we just sort of said if we can get deliveries into the box Shaun obviously causes them problems in the air and Pinno drops short and gives us that option.
“We wanted to get the tempo up, we were a bit disappointed with the tempo on Saturday. The boys’ did that tonight so it was pleasing.”
The Stones passing was crisp, on a playing surface which has benefited from a new drainage system, and they squandered an excellent chance to double their advantage in the 13th minute.
Pinnock cut the ball back to supporting left-back Knight, who whipped in a superb first time cross with his left-foot, but Welford planted a header agonisingly wide of the far post.
Thamesmead’s one first half chance was created by the impressive Joe Horlock, a central midfielder who has arrived this summer from Sittingbourne, who found Lea Dawson, who stroked a right-footed drive from 30-yards, which was comfortably saved by Mitten.
Knight played a part in Maidstone United’s second goal, six minutes before the break.
He played the ball inside to Pinnock (who dropped deep) and shrugged off a challenge from Mageehan before turning and his low right-footed drive was pushed around the post by Mott, who dived full-stretch low to his left.
Mott punched Alex Flisher’s resulting corner behind, but Flisher whipped in another corner from the right and skipper Andrews was left unchallenged at the near post and powered his header beyond the Thamesmead keeper.
“Graeme, to be honest, when he was playing at Welling, said he didn’t go up for corners last year,” explained Saunders.
“He’s six foot four, or whatever he is and he’s gone up and got on the end of it. It’s another bonus. We were quite a big side in the first half tonight, so set-pieces will be a big thing for us this year.”
Both sides made three changes at the interval, and the rain that fell was refreshing for the players who put on a lively pre-season friendly, well refereed by Erith based official Aji Ajibola.
A penetrating left-wing run from Flisher saw the ball cut back to Welford, who was denied by a smart low save from Mott after only 44 seconds into the second half.
Welford, who opened his account for his new club at Bearsted at the weekend, was denied a goal tonight because he was offside by the time he finished off a low centre from substitute Ellis Green, after Pinnock released the winger down the right.
Thamesmead rallied and pulled a goal back on the hour, as Mageehan scored the club’s first goal of the new season.
An excellent cross from the right from returning substitute Bradley Killick found Mageehan, who had peeled off at the near post, to plant a firm header past Mitten.
“It was a great goal to be fair,” said McMahon. “Bradley came on at half-time, he’s looked very sharp in training and it’s great to have him back. Every time we gave him the ball he caused problems. He’ll cause any team problems. He’s got pace and he’s very direct.
“It was a great cross and to be fair to Callum, a very good header, coming across the near post.
“I thought Bradley was excellent when he came on second half.”
McMahon sung the praises of yellow-booted Horlock, who performed well during his first half showing.
He said: “Joe’s very good on the ball. I think he’ll be honest like the rest of them they need to get a little bit sharper. He’s a good outlet, he’s a ball player. He needs a little bit more help around him. Between him, Lea Dawson and Callum, they just need to talk a little bit more. They haven’t played together before. Joe can play and you can see that there in the 45 (minutes) that he did play.”
McMahon was full of praise for trailist striker, David Noel, who shone like a beacon, especially as first half lone striker, Lawrence Yiga, who was released by Welling United this morning, failed to get any change from a solid defensive partnership of Andrews and Danny Lye.
“Lawrence was at Welling United and they released him this morning so I acted a little bit quick and got in there and got him down,” revealed McMahon. “I felt a bit sorry for the lad first half because we didn’t give him the ball but for the fifteen minutes in the second half we did. He showed a little bit of what he can do. He went past a few people and caused a bit of trouble. It will be good to have another look at him.”
Noel, 23, meanwhile, appears to have taken his chance to progress out of Sunday League football.
McMahon said: “I saw him play a Cup Final over here in the summer and he played for a Sunday side in the Woolwich & Eltham League and he stood out a little bit. We had a chat to see if he wanted to come pre-season.
“He’s something different. He’s a tall centre forward with an extraordinary turn of pace when he goes.
“He’s come to every (training) session and looks alright. He’s very, very raw, works hard and he’s got a heck of a shot on him as well and he can finish if you give him a chance as you saw tonight in the second half.
“A lot of people were going ‘whose he?’ He’s going to be a bit of a surprise package.”
Admitting that the striker has left it late to begin his semi-professional career, McMahon added, “He’s not really been about. We’ve spotted him and he’s jumped at the chance. He likes the set up we’ve got here and he travels up from London (Wandsworth) for every session and it looks like he’s going to be a real find.”
Another player drafted in from Sunday League football, is Francois Gabbidon.
McMahon said: “He’s English, but he has a French family. He’s come from Sunday football. He’s come to the last few sessions, got a turn of pace and can also play wing-back. I think he linked up well. He had a couple of chances when he cut inside. He’s got a good turn of pace and he’s only going to get better.”
McMahon was pleased with his side’s second half performance.
“I thought in the last 10-15 minutes, when we were making certain runs, we thought we looked a decent shape and going forward was a plus. You need that when games are tight and you can bring on players. The youngsters give you a bit of freshness.
“Like I said to you before, we need players now who are committed, who want to play and are hungry. I thought you saw second half there was quite a few hungry players out there.”
Noel drilled a low right-footed shot, which brought a smart low save beside Mitten’s near post after 65 minutes, before the former Croydon Athletic stopper thwarted Fraser Walker, who tried his luck with a right-footed free-kick from 35-yards.
Mott made a low save to his left after Green cut in from the right towards the end of an entertaining game.
Saunders appreciated that “winning becomes a good habit”, but clinching three points against fellow title contenders Whitehawk at Bourne Park, Sittingbourne on the opening day of the Ryman League Division One South campaign on 20 August, is what really matters.
He said: “I’ve played in teams that have won all of their pre-season games and have gone on to lose their first six (league outings), so it doesn’t mean a lot but at the end of the day winning becomes a good habit.”
Meanwhile, the Stones travel to the artist formerly known as Norton Sports (Woodstock Sports) on Saturday (1pm) and talented left-winger, Joe Sands, who missed tonight’s game through work-commitments, is expected to play against Ben Taylor’s side on trial, against his current club.
Thamesmead Town, meanwhile, welcome Jamie Day’s Welling United to Bayliss Avenue.
Thamesmead Town: Sam Mott, Jack Hopkins (Richard Butler 46), Danny Moore, Callum Mageehan (Jake Burman 67), Lewis Tozer (Joe Maginess 60), James Donovan (Alfie Munday 70), Joe Horlock (Bradley Killick 46), Lea Dawson (Frazer Walker 70), Lawrence Yiga (Francois Gabbidon 60), Danny Beazant (Dan Wells 70), Theo Fairweather-Johnson (David Noel 46).
Sub: Adam Woodward
Goal: Callum Mageehan 60
Maidstone United: Charlie Mitten, Karl Knight, Tommy Osborne, Graeme Andrews, Danny Lye (Sean Johnson 57), Jimmy Humphris (Nick Reeves 46), Steve Brading (Ellis Green 46), Jay Saunders (Colin Richmond 46), Shaun Welford (Christian Mkwanazi 57), James Pinnock (Alex Waugh 57), Alex Flisher (Tommy Mills 69).
Goals: James Pinnock 8, Graeme Andrews 39
Attendance: 57
Referee: Mr Aji Ajibola (Erith)
Assistants: Mr Tim Burman (Dartford) & Mr Danny Roberts (Maidstone)
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd