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Maidenhead United 0 Maidstone United 2 match report

First-half goals from Jay May and Joe Healy saw Maidstone to victory at Maidenhead on Tuesday night.

They're up to eighth place in National League South after a third away win.

United stuck with the side who played so well against Havant on Saturday and they were quickly in their stride again.

There was early joy out wide for Matt Bodkin and Bobby-Joe Taylor while Jack Paxman ran the show in midfield as Maidstone played some lovely football.

The opening goal, after 16 minutes, will take some beating.

Maidstone striker Jay May Picture: Steve Terrell
Maidstone striker Jay May Picture: Steve Terrell

Jamie Coyle started the move in his own half, with Healy, Callum Driver and Bodkin involved before Adam Birchall squared for May, who finished from two yards out.

Stones had the beating of Maidenhead every time they got in their flow in midfield, turning the ball round corners with sharp, one-touch football.

Birchall had a shot on the turn saved by the post and it was his strike from Paxman’s pass that won the corner leading to Stones’ second on 27 minutes.

Taylor’s ball in was headed goalwards, with Healy’s overhead kick from virtually on the goalline doubling the visitors’ lead.

There were big protests from Maidenhead, who felt it was dangerous play from Healy, but complaints were waved away.

So dominant were Maidstone in the first half that Maidenhead manager Alan Devonshire made all three changes at the break.

It was either desperate or imaginative - probably the former - but you suspect the ex-West Ham man let rip in his team-talk.

Maidenhead, whose only genuine effort of the first half saw Harry Pritchard’s long-range strike saved by Lee Worgan, did see more of the ball early in the second half.

But, bar Worgan coming out sharply at the feet of Pritchard, they didn’t threaten a Stones side who comfortably saw off their early charge.

Stones almost added to their lead moving into the last 20 minutes, with May’s cross met by Healy whose fierce strike hit keeper Pentney.

Birchall was then denied by the keeper after a smart run as Stones again went close.

Substitute Jake Reid worked Worgan from 20 yards with 10 minutes left and screwed a loose ball wide soon after but Maidstone always looked comfortable.

Substitute Simon Johnson thumped an effort over for Stones before Reid was denied by Worgan when played through in the closing minutes.

Maidstone: Worgan, Driver, Mills, Coyle, Parry, Paxman (Brown 74mins), Bodkin, Healy, May (Akrofi 85mins), Birchall (Johnson 78mins), Taylor. Subs not used: Watt, Pinnock.

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