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Dorking Wanderers 1 Maidstone United 1 match report: Aaron Blair scores second-half equaliser in National League South clash after Reiss Greenidge dismissed with game goalless

21:52, 05 November 2024

updated: 21:53, 05 November 2024

Ten-man Maidstone claimed a battling point at Dorking after losing Reiss Greenidge to a first-half red card.

Defender Greenidge was sent off for the second time in a row in this fixture, having been dismissed in a 3-2 defeat when the sides last met two seasons ago.

Maidstone United manager George Elokobi. Picture: Helen Cooper
Maidstone United manager George Elokobi. Picture: Helen Cooper

Dorking went in front through Brennan Camp soon after but United refused to buckle and were rewarded for an outstanding second-half display with Aaron Blair’s equaliser.

There were chances at either end in a lively start to the National League South fixture at Meadowbank.

Seb Bowerman blazed over for Wanderers when well placed from Alfie Rutherford’s pass following a strong run down the right by Jimmy Muitt.

Charlie Seaman fired narrowly wide at the other end, his first-time strike moving all over the place after meeting a partially cleared corner.

Antony Papadopoulos might have done better when Sam Corne’s cross found its way to the back post, while Jon Benton failed to capitalise on a miscontrol by keeper Harrison Foulkes, who was put in a trouble by a rogue Jason Prior backpass.

Dorking were going from back to front quicker than Maidstone have seen in recent years and appeared to be carrying a limited threat.

But the game turned their way in the 34th minute when Greenidge was shown a straight red card for catching Prior in the face with his arm when contesting a header.

Dorking made their extra man count just three minutes later.

Stones keeper Alexis Andre Jr saved Camp’s bicycle kick after Jordan Norville-Williams swung over a cross from the right but the Dorking defender finished the rebound.

Dorking dominated the rest of the half, moving the ball effectively and threatening to get Rutherford in on goal several times with passes through the middle.

Tayt Trusty worked keeper Foulkes in the opening moments of the second half as Maidstone, who introduced big striker Harry Lodovica at the break, had their first shot on target.

Stones boss George Elokobi wasn’t interested in damage limitation, urging his side to get higher up the pitch.

The plan was working and they levelled in the 54th minute when Ben Brookes played a ball down the line for Blair, who cut inside and bent his strike into the far corner.

Blair, with an extra spring in his step after the goal, seemed to find even more energy to keep the Dorking defence on their toes.

And Maidstone threatened again when George Fowler led a counter-attack before playing the ball inside to Benton, whose shot went wide off a Dorking defender.

Corne and Benton were a growing influence in the final third, combining neatly, as the 10 men continued to have a go.

The Stones had a golden chance in the final 15 minutes when Benton played a ball across the six-yard box but Lodovica couldn’t get there for the tap-in.

Tony Craig headed over at the back post for Dorking in added time when he probably should have scored.

Dorking: Foulkes, Camp, Craig, McManus (Alexandrou 32mins), Muitt, Prior, Rutherford, Gallagher, Milson (Norville-Williams 21mins, Taylor 55mins), Young, Bowerman (Briggs 71mins). Subs not used: Fuller.

Maidstone: Andre Jr, Fowler, Eweka, Greenidge, Brookes, Corne, Trusty, Seaman, Benton (Fonkeu 90+5mins), Papadopoulos (Lodovica 46mins, Coulthirst 90+5mins), Blair. Subs not used: Holden, Gurung.

Referee: Steven Hughes.

Attendance: 1,338 (189 away).

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