Maidstone battle for possession against University of Kent

Two wins and 11 goals provided Maidstone with a welcome confidence boost as the men’s 1sts prepare for their biggest game of the season so far this weekend.

They bid for a place in the quarter-finals of the EH Cup against Conference North Doncaster – and couldn’t be in better shape ahead of the game.

They chalked up their first South League Premier Division 1 win of the season, beating Ashford (Middlesex) 5-0 on Saturday, and followed it up by thumping University of Kent 8-2 in the first round of the Kent Cup on Sunday.

Player-coach Kevin Johnson grabbed a second-half hat-trick in his first start of the season against Ashford with Tim Price and Greg Laurenson netting the others.

Johnson hit two more against the students, with Laurenson (2), Ben Harvey (2), Joe Meaning and Chris Bassano-Harper also on target as they continued their excellent form in cup competitions.

Maidstone Ladies 1sts returned to winning ways with a 2-0 win over mid-table Wapping in the East Women’s League Premier Division.

Maidstone opened the scoring in the first half when a good run by Lizzie Daniels ended with a goal.

Claire Daniels then won a penalty stroke, after a Wapping defender blocked her shot on the line with a foot, and captain Rachel Thompson stepped up to slot the stroke home.

Maidstone used the Kent Cup tie against Cliftonville to give a run-out to squad members and juniors, but still ran out 7-0 winners on Sunday afternoon.