More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Maidstone put their run of four defeats to bed with victory over Welling.
Stones players were determined to deliver a result after last week’s thumping at Weymouth - and it showed.
Iffy Allen and Zihni Temelci gave them a two-goal lead and substitute Ayuk Tarh made the points safe after Anthony Cook replied from the penalty spot
The visitors made a confident start, looking bright in the final third and putting a series of crosses into the Stones box, Chris Lewington keeping out Phil Roberts’ glancing header in just the second minute.
Lewington later saved with his feet after a great run by Wings defender Diaz Wright took him into the box but that was it in terms of first-half chances for the visitors.
Maidstone thought they’d scored in the ninth minute when Ross Marshall’s header across goal, from a Dan Wishart free-kick, went in off Wings defender Chiori Johnson but the linesman’s flag went up for offside.
United had the better chances with Gavin Hoyte’s corner met by Marshall and falling to Sam Corne, whose shot was blocked on the line by Wright.
The other big opening saw Max Watters combine with Temelci before playing a lovely ball across the six-yard box but Allen turned the ball wide.
Temelci went close in first-half injury time with a thumping half-volley after the ball dropped in the box.
Lewington was equal to Anthony Cook’s 20-yard free-kick just after the break, before Maidstone took the lead in the 52nd minute.
Justin Amaluzor did brilliantly to keep the ball in play on the touchline, with Gavin Hoyte’s cross flicked on by Watters for Allen to fire home at the far post.
It was a good finish from Allen but Amaluzor arguably deserved biggest pat on the back for saving a lost cause, a moment that typified his work rate.
Maidstone could have had a second five minutes later when Saidou Khan went on a terrific run.
He had Amaluzor waiting for a pass but had perhaps earned the right to go it alone, Wilks making the save.
United were looking good and doubled their lead on 70 minutes.
A poor clearance presented the ball to Khan on the left and he combined with Allen and Corne before playing a low cross to the near post where Temelci swept home.
Khan continued to trouble the Welling defence with his forward runs, creating another chance for Allen as Maidstone searched for the killer third.
Watters then played in Khan, whose effort was parried by Wilks.
Welling replied in the 89th minute after a trip just inside the Stones box gave Cook the chance to send Lewington the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Maidstone clinched victory in the third minute of added time when Tarh burst through and finished emphatically.
Maidstone: Lewington, Hoyte, Marshall, Johnson, Wishart, Temelci, Khan, Corne, Amaluzor, Watters, Allen (Tarh 82mins). Subs not used: Cole, Kamdjo, Knight, Tingley.
Welling: Wilks, Johnson (Henry 71mins), McCallum, Joseph, Swaine, Wright, James, Goldberg (Coombes 70mins), Akinyemi, Roberts (Rolt 81mins), Cook. Subs not used: Agyemang, Dymond,
Attendance: 1,943 (135 away).
