Maidstone United 2 York City 1 match report: Late Sam Corne double settles clash of two promoted sides at the Gallagher Stadium
Published: 16:50, 13 August 2022
Updated: 17:05, 13 August 2022
Sam Corne’s late double led Maidstone to victory over York in their first home game of the National League season.
Midfielder Corne struck twice in a couple of minutes - Roarie Deacon the provider for both - as the Stones overturned Lenell John-Lewis’ early opener for the Minstermen.
Jack Barham missed an earlier chance to level when his first-half penalty was saved.
It was blisteringly hot at the Gallagher as two promoted sides met in 33-degree heat, with the tempo surprisingly high - testament to both sides’ fitness.
York broke the deadlock in the 10th minute, with dangerman Maz Kouhyar predictably the provider from the right.
Adam Crookes started the move, clipping the ball infield for Olly Dyson to nod on to Kouhyar.
He worked room for a cross which was headed home via the underside of the bar by John-Lewis.
Henry Woods had a shot charged down while Regan Booty curled a free-kick wide before working former Stones loanee Ethan Ross as the Stones looked for a response.
Kouhyar threatened once more at the other end after a neat break through midfield, led by Alex Hurst.
Joe Ellul headed over from a Booty corner before a foul on Corne saw referee Danny Middleton awarded a penalty.
Barham stepped up but didn’t get hold of his strike and Ross palmed a tame spot-kick out for a corner.
Yusuf Mersin made a comfortable save from Kouhyar just after the break, with Deacon’s shot blocked for the Stones after cutting in from the left.
Midway through the half, John-Lewis saw a header from a corner blocked, with the follow-up cleared off the line.
Maidstone kept going, Barham with a nice turn and pass to release substitute Dominic Odusanya, who fired over.
York were looking solid but Hakan Hayrettin’s side turned the game on its head with two goals in quick succession.
The equaliser came in the 79th minute with Hoyte feeding Deacon whose cross was glanced home by Corne, who judged his run to perfection.
The pair combined again two minutes later as Maidstone took the lead, Deacon’s brilliance in the box taking him past two defenders before squaring for Corne.
Maidstone: Mersin, Hoyte, Fowler, Ellul, Cawley, Booty, Woods (Odusanya 69mins), Corne, Deacon, Barham, Alabi (Pattisson 62mins). Subs not used: Hadler, Vincent, Fawole.
York: Ross, Fallowfield, Crookes (Burgess 90+2mins), Kouogun, Hurst (Duku 78mins), Dyson (Kerr 85mins), Kouhyar, Whittle, John-Lewis, Hancox, Pybus. Subs not used: Boden, Whitley.
Referee: Danny Middleton.
Attendance: 2,245 (207 away).
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Craig Tucker