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Yeovil Town 1 Maidstone United 1 match report: Levi Amantchi’s first Stones goal cancelled out by Rhys Murphy

17:10, 19 August 2023

updated: 17:10, 19 August 2023

A late equaliser denied Maidstone victory at much-fancied Yeovil Town.

Levi Amantchi scored his first Stones goal, three minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute, to put the visitors in front.

Maidstone United manager George Elokobi. Picture: Steve Terrell
Maidstone United manager George Elokobi. Picture: Steve Terrell

United were looking good for the points against a Town side who failed to live up to their first-half promise but were pegged back seven minutes from time when Rhys Murphy equalised.

George Elokobi made one change to the side who won at Braintree on Tuesday night and it was injury-enforced with Devonte Aransibia coming in for Reiss Greenidge in switch to 4-3-3.

An early-season meeting of two relegated sides - moved to Huish Park due to building works at the Gallagher - saw the Glovers enjoy the best of the first-half chances and possession.

That was only to be expected - not many sides will come here in National League South and dominate - but Maidstone competed and were well in the game.

A wonder save from Stones keeper Lucas Covolan, diving to his right to keep out Morgan Williams’ header from a Jamie Sendles-White long throw was the highlight of a goalless first half.

Ex-West Ham Frank Nouble was a handful in attack at times and should have scored after finding himself free from an earlier long throw.

The big man was later snuffed out by a George Fowler block after being played through on goal.

For Maidstone, lone striker Ogo Obi’s attempted chip was comfortably held by Will Buse after running on to Lamar Reynolds’ ball down the right, while Bivesh Gurung fired wide from the edge of the area after Sam Corne’s free-kick was partially cleared.

There was a let-off for Buse in first-half injury time when he came for and missed Corne’s inswinging corner, with the ball cleared off the line by the home defence.

Maidstone made a bright start to the second half and took the lead from a well-worked corner in the 56th minute.

Reynolds met Corne’s ball to the near post and while Buse made the save, substitute Amantchi nodded home the rebound.

Town were slow to respond after falling behind, leading to a triple change from boss Mark Cooper midway through the half.

It made little difference, with the Glovers almost looking out of ideas against a well-organised Stones unit who were looking increasingly confident.

They sent a couple of balls into the box while Matthew Worthington fired harmlessly wide from distance but not much else.

That changed, though, when they levelled seven minutes from time.

Sam Bone did well to cut out a dangerous Williams cross but Covolan – who felt he was fouled – couldn't deal with Jordan Young’s corner and fellow substitute Murphy finished the loose ball.

Seven minutes’ added time got the home fans going but Maidstone held on for a point.

Yeovil: Buse, Williams, Whittle, Sendles-White, Wannell, Worthington, Hyde (Thomas 65mins), Maguire-Drew (Murphy 65mins), Cooper, Nouble, Staunton (Young). Subs not used: Owers, Bell.

Maidstone: Covolan, Hoyte, Fowler, Bone, Ezenolim, Gurung, Corne, Aransibia, Reynolds (Wanjau-Smith 80mins), Obi (Amantchi 53mins), Sole. Subs not used: Coleman De-Graft, Earle, Kelly.

Referee: Lewis Sandoe.

Attendance: 2,899 (135 away).

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