Concord Rangers 1 Maidstone United 2 match report
16:55, 31 October 2015
Two goals in a minute saw Maidstone come from behind to win at Concord Rangers on Saturday.
Stones conceded a National League South goal for the first time in 634 minutes when former United winger Ben Greenhalgh struck before half-time.
But substitute Alex Akrofi levelled shortly after his introduction then James Rogers, making his first start since August, fired Stones to their sixth win in a row and up to third place.
The visitors were forced into a reshuffle in defence with Jamie Coyle moving to right-back in place of the injured Callum Driver and captain Steve Watt coming back in at centre-half alongside Manny Parry.
An astonishing low save by Lee Worgan kept Maidstone level as Concord dominated early on.
Steve Cawley’s downward header from Greenhalgh’s near-post cross looked in all the way but Worgan somehow got down and managed to scoop it over for a corner.
Lewis Taafe and Cawley had already wasted decent chances, while Greenhalgh also failed to make the most of a couple of openings.
One-way traffic continued as Watt blocked Joe Gardner’s pull-back on the line, Worgan parried from the same player, then Greenhalgh bent a free-kick over.
Maidstone struggled to create an opening and when Jay May did find himself through one-on-one midway through the half, Steve King had time to get back and make a recovery tackle.
Just when it looked like Maidstone might get away with a goalless first half, Concord went ahead in the 42nd minute.
Stones conceded possession to Greenhalgh in midfield and after moving the ball wide he continued his run into the box and pounced after Parry cut out Taafe’s cross.
Cawley went close early in the second half after Worgan came charging out of his goal.
Maidstone turned to Akrofi and within four minutes he levelled.
The goal came on 62 minutes, Akrofi stabbing home from virtually on the line after a goalmouth scramble at a corner.
Akrofi was involved again as United tore Concord apart down the right before the ball broke to Rogers, who crashed a first-time effort into the bottom corner for a 2-1 lead.
The turnaround seemed to knock the life out of Concord, who rarely looked like getting back in the game.
Greenhalgh tried his luck from Sam Bantick’s pass moving into the last 10 minutes but Worgan made a comfortable save at his near post.
Maidstone: Worgan, Coyle, Mills, Watt, Parry, Rogers, Bodkin, Healy, May (Collin 84mins), Birchall (Akrofi 58mins), Osborn. Subs not used: Taylor, Bridle-Card.
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