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


Earlier in the Premiership season, Derby become known as the come-back kings after coming from 2 or 3 goals down to eventually get a point. AFC Maidstone have become the opposite of this. It was a poor display in the first-half. GAP looked hungrier and surged forward from the off. Cope had to be at his best, pulling off good saves from ex-AFC men Welch and Martin. It was AFC who scored first, with their first chance of the game. GAP's keeper advanced from his area and a penalty was awarded. Sam stepped up and placed it into the top left of the goal. GAP had equalised within a minute. Welch got revenge on Pilcher, who needlessly hacked him down earlier in the game, when he turned him twice before smacking the ball past Cope. Five minutes later, Ryan scored. A free-kick was awarded just outside the area. As GAP assigned players to mark AFC's, Ryan took advantage of their indecision by smacking the free-kick past the keeper. Jack Martin had the ball in the net just after that, but it was fortunately ruled out. Pilcher was presented with a golden oppurtunity but he misjudged the bounce and it ended up coming off his shin. At half-time AFC had a slender lead.
The second-half was similar to the first, with AFC Maidstone being forced to play in their own half. Cope made some outstanding saves to deny Welch and Chris Martin. Epps later had a shot in the post, while Ryan also hit the post and dragged a shot across the face of goal. He did, however, extend the lead. A long pass from Epps gave Ryan the chance to smack the ball past the keeper. With just five minutes left, another 3 points seemed to be in the bag. But GAP, to their credit, kept battling. The Stones made the foolish decision of sitting back and clinging to the points. David "Judas" Bond had the ball in the net, but the goal was debatably ruled out. They had plenty more opportunities, however, and Cope made save of the match with an athletic save from Welch. Jack Martin scored a cracking goal. As Epps failed to close him down, he struck from just inside the half-way line. The ball rocketed narrowly past Cope. With three minutes left, AFC were still hoping for a win. Ryan had a decent chance. He advanced on the keeper but his shot came off the keepers shoulder. With the clock ticking, AFC were content to hoof the ball forward and cling on to the points. In the final minute, Ward came on for Spencer. He had the ball thrown to him on the right by Cope. His clearance was poor and trickled to Welch. With nothing in his path, he shot from distance and the ball went flying past Cope. The Stones looked dejected, none more so then Epps who smacked the ball against the wall in frustration and after being told they hadn't lost yet, he replied: "We may as well have done." The final whistle went 30 seconds later. Obviously a disappointing result considering they had been winning until three minutes from time - but a point was good as they were completely outplayed.


TEAM: Cope; Pilcher (Ward 8), Spencer (Epps 6); S.Charman; R.Charman.

SCORERS: S.Charman 5 (pen)
R.Charman 9, 16

Manager comments:
"We were poor. If we play like that against Jaffers next week, we will get thrashed. Cleisham's absence was noted as he is a physical presence and a great influence. Ryan was great but faded out towards the end, as did we all. Epps' reaction was melodramatic, and Ward is obviously very disappointed. It was an unfair way to lose the victory, but we were second-best throughout. I heard Arsene Wenger say his Arsenal team doesn't want to win; we have the same problem. We let GAP in on too many occasions both this time and the last. We were leading until the last 2 minutes vs The Whistlers and F.G.Barnes had 2 goals disallowed last week. We aren't playing much better then last year, its just the fact we've got that bit of luck we never had last season. To play this way against a team that has never previously picked up a point is not a nice feeling. We are a bit down but at least we got a point. We didn't collapse and Cope and Spencer were professional; very solid."