Home   Maidstone   Sport   Article

Maidstone United 1 Eastleigh 3 match report

Top scorer Blair Turgott went off injured as Maidstone slumped to another defeat.

Turgott, who’d scored 11 of United’s 18 National League goals before the visit of Eastleigh, hobbled off late in the first half and looks a doubt for the Oldham FA Cup tie.

The Stones looked toothless without him and remain in the bottom four after a 3-1 loss.

Blair Turgott runs at the Eastleigh defence before going off injured Picture: Andy Jones
Blair Turgott runs at the Eastleigh defence before going off injured Picture: Andy Jones

Turgott had been Maidstone’s brightest player in a quiet first half that was low on quality.

The wind and rain was the main factor behind that, with conditions making it difficult for both sides.

Maidstone’s evening suffered a double blow in the 38th minute.

First, Elliott Romain saw a spectacular overhead kick from Olu Durojaiye’s cross ruled out for offside.

Over to the left, Turgott was down and in trouble after taking a whack.

Physio Paul Smith treated him for a few minutes on the touchline before the skipper admitted defeat and hobbled back to the dressing room.

Sean Shields came on for his debut after signing on loan from Ebbsfleet.

Eastleigh took the lead with the final kick of the first half.

Mark Yeates pulled a corner back to the edge of the box, it was played into the area and Joe Jones turned in his first-ever goal for the Spitfires.

Simon Walton puts himself about for the Stones Picture: Andy Jones
Simon Walton puts himself about for the Stones Picture: Andy Jones

Grant Smith made a good save when Paul McCallum played in Oscar Gobern early in the second half.

Maidstone then had a strong penalty claim for handball turned down, and it looked a big let-off for Eastleigh.

Shields had a shot blocked after cutting inside from Durojaiye’s clever pass but the Stones went two down on the hour.

It was another lousy goal to concede as Yeates’ corner was met by McCallum with a downward header on the edge of the six-yard box.

Even with half an hour to go that looked like being it for Maidstone’s chances.

The performance just wasn’t there, as much as they huffed and puffed, and it was difficult to see them scoring.

Eastleigh added a third in the 85th minute when Yeates’ free-kick was headed in by McCallum at the far post.

Michael Phillips pulled a goal back with a near-post header in the 89th minute.

Maidstone: Smith, Phillips, De Havilland, Finney, Wishart, Durojaiye (Tajbakhsh 62mins), Walton, Cassidy, Powell, Turgott (Shields 42mins), Romain. Subs not used: McLennan, Strizovic, Swaine.

Attendance: 1,570 (38 away).

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More