FINAL SCORE:
GAP.........1
AFC Maidstone...3


The waiting is over. AFC Maidstone have finally tasted sweet, sweet victory. The fact the win was against David Bonds new club made victory all the more sweeter.
The build-up to this match has been well documented; months of banter between rival players has made the match all the more anticipated. With the influential Sam Charman injured, the team was depleted. Kick-off was delayed by half an hour due to a severe injury in the previous match. Nerves were setting in, with rumours spreading of GAP's "Extra-special" players. When kick-off finally arrived, the surprise was to see the highly-rated Chris Martin in goal - after being told he was playing in defence. But Chris was to be tested plenty of times, as AFC threw everything at GAP in the early stages. It was end-to-end stuff, with Epps and Pilcher having the best of it in defence. The break-threw came on 5 minutes, with Ryan Charman scoring his 4th in 3 games to give the Stones an early lead. It was nothing less then AFC deserved after mixing sound defensive play with superb attacking play. Just a minute earlier, Epps has hit the underside of the crossbar with a powerful shot. Half-time: 1-0 to the Stones.
The second half started as the first-half ended, with AFC being forced to play in their own half. The defence was superb, with Robin Cleisham (making his debut) looking particularly menacing. His strong tackling and tireless attacking made him a more-then-welcome addition to the squad. The equaliser came was seemed inevitable. Craig Welch, who played one game for AFC last season, had all the time in the world to strike a powerful shot into the corner of the net, although it is argued he had stepped in the area. The nerves were noe beginning to show. AFC were desperate to get the winner and GAP were left with many one-on-one situations, and Welch somehow managed to fluff a shot when it was two-against-one. Bond was given plenty of time on the right, and perhaps if he had any skill he would have hit his shots nearer the goal as opposed to the roof. Ryan Charman, who had fluffed several chances early in the half, hit a post. Then came the deciding moment. A penalty was awarded for someone stepping in the area. Ryan kept his nerve and struck his penalty down the middle, leaving Martin with no chance. Anxious moments were to lie ahead. With the Leisure Centre clock having stopped, no-one knew how long was left. GAP continued to go forward, and they looked likely to grab another equaliser. Spencer and Epps remained firm at the back, while Ward and Charman fluffed chances to put the game beyond GAP. A late pass from Ward found Charman, who made up for his earlier miss by striking a left-footed shot that beat Martin to complete his hat-trick. With the fans waiting for the final whistle. It came just seconds after the goal, and their was sheer jubilation from fans and players. After 22 games, 19 goals and countless false dawns, the win and valuable three points had come. After shaking hands at the end, AFC left the field to deserved applause from the fans. The leagues organiser Scott came up to Pilcher and said: "I told you you'd win a game this season!"
How right he was.


TEAM: Cope; Pilcher (Spencer 16), Epps; Ward (Cleisham 8); R.Charman.

SCORERS: R.Charman 4, 19(pen), 24

Manager comments:
What a game! I have no complaints, except that we lost our way at the beginning of the second half and nearly blew it. Everyone was superb. Ryan was unstoppable, myself and Epps unbeatable at the back and Cleisham was very imposing - I hope he plays again this season. Cope made some excellent saves, Spencer made up for last weeks disaster and Ward made a lot of chances and played well defensively. I can only congratulate everyone for the part they played today, although I feel sorry for Sam because he was one of our best players last year and was unfortunate to miss our first ever win with an injury. GAP must also be congratulated, its not easy to play your first game in this league. They had something we didn't have last year - knowledge and experience - but fair play to them. But AFC Maidstone deserved this win and were by far the greater team. Mark Booth came to watch this week for the first time, and saw us win - so he's already become our lucky mascot.
I have no complaints - WE'VE FINALLY WON!"