FINAL SCORE:
Elite F.C.........4
AFC Maidstone...2


A solid first half display, but a brief second-half destruction led to the Stones' downfall.
AFC were pressurising from the off. Ward and Ryan Charman (making his first start) combined well but for the first few minutes could find no way past their keeper. A moment of brilliance from Ryan, however, gave AFC an unexpected lead. A pass from Ward went staright to Ryan who unleashed a powerful left-foot drive that beat the keeper. He later hit the post, and Pilcher also came close. Elite F.C. then switched to attack, some through-balls being cut out by Epps. They were largely untroubled at the back, with Cope in impressive form in goal and other shots going way off target. An equaliser was conjured up in the last minute of the first half. A long ball went over Pilcher and fell to an unmarked striker who beat Cope from the edge of the area. Half-time: 1-1.
It was an unusual position for AFC to be in; only once before have they not been losing at half-time. Dreams of a point looked lost as they were forced to play in their own half. The crativity seemed to have gone, with balls been launched forward with little purpose. An early goal was the killer blow (following a howler by Cope), but AFC still went forward. But another goal on the break left the Stones with much to do. They hit back quickly, another goal from Ryan Charman, after being set up by his brother, gave them a hope of a comeback. But the hero quickly became a villian, as he played a one-two with the keeper. Penalty awarded, and Cope got his hands to the ball but it went in off the post. Superb displays all-round, but especially from Cope and Ryan Charman.


TEAM: Cope; Pilcher (Spencer 13), Epps; R.Charman (S.Charman 11), Ward (P.Bond 16).

SCORERS: R.Charman 4, 21

Manager comments:
"A solid all-round display. Ryan did especially well on his first start. He scored twice and could have had a few more. Adrian looked invinceable in goal in the first-half. He was brilliant, but knows that he has only himself to blame for the second goal - he should have done better. Apart from that, excellent. I was particularly disappointed with one player. I have never seen one player single-handedly lose us a game like that. It would be unfair to name him, but I'll be having a few words with him after that."