Maidstone United 3 Billericay Town 0 match report
Published: 17:00, 28 February 2015
Maidstone moved seven points clear in the Ryman League Premier Division with a 3-0 home win over Billericay on Saturday.
Second-half goals from Frannie Collin, substitute Matt Bodkin and Jay May gave Stones their first win in four matches, while second-placed Margate only drew 3-3 with Kingstonian.
United were the better side in a first half of few chances.
Collin forced a decent save from Joe Wright from just outside the area and saw another effort dip late but just over the bar.
At the other end, big Ricky Sappleton curled a free-kick over after Jack Parkinson chopped down Harry Baker.
Collin had a strong penalty claim for handball turned down after Stevie Sheehan threw himself at a shot just after the break.
But Collin was soon celebrating after putting Stones ahead on 56 minutes.
The referee played an advantage following a foul on Jack Parkinson, with Billy Bricknell feeding Collin who beat Wright with a smart low finish from just inside the box.
Bricknell was denied in a one-on-one after racing through from a Collin pass as Maidstone threatened a second.
There was a scare when Jack Edwards' deflected strike was tipped over by Lee Worgan.
But Stones were quickly attacking again with George Porter finding Tom Mills who drove into the box before Wright stuck out a leg to keep out what would have a cracking goal breaking forward from left-back.
Billericay enjoyed a spell of pressure before Maidstone added their second goal.
Bodkin had only been on the pitch three minutes when he worked space to beat Wright after Porter and Collin exchanged passes in the best move of the match.
Maidstone made the points safe in injury time when Collin's cross gave May a free header at the far post.
Maidstone: Worgan, Stone, Mills, Watt, Huke, Rogers (Brown 70mins), Bricknell (Bodkin 82mins), Parkinson, May, Collin, Porter (Greenhalgh 86mins). Subs not used: Coyle, Godmon. Attendance: 2,035.
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Craig Tucker