FINAL SCORE:
N.B.T.........2
AFC Maidstone...1


The Stones will look back on this game and wonder how they lost. The news before the game that GAP had won meant that AFC moved down to 10th - equal on points with bottom-placed F.G.Barnes. This news led the Stones to run out and try to win. N.B.T had chances in the first five minutes but couldn't beat a defiant defence, helped by Cope and Pilcher who were in fine form. It was Ryan who gave the Stones a lead after seven minutes, with a superb finish from the left after a decent throw-out from Cope. N.B.T looked to get an immediate equaliser, but some great defending all-round led to N.B.T becoming increasingly frustrated. Pilcher prevented a one-on-one situation with a great tackle from behind. Epps and Charman were more then willing to get stuck in and Spencer added an attacking dimension after coming on. He had one long-range shot go narrowly off-target, while Ryan could have increased the lead. Ward could have scored his first of the season when he seemed to have an open goal, but he got a bad bounce and the keeper managed to get back in time to stop his weak shot. His shot defied the keeper and hit the post. But at half-time it was a job well done: 1-0 to AFC.
Fitness has been an area were the Stones haven't improved as much as they would like. This showed as the defence allowed N.B.T to equalise, with a powerful shot going past Cope despite his effort to save. Then N.B.T took the lead within 2 minutes, as a shot which should have been prevented by the defence seemed to change direction, as it went past Cope who went the wrong way. AFC Maidstone looked to get their first pont since the beginning of January. Ryan had a shot that came off the post, and Spencer went close from long-range. The keeper looked suspect and AFC tried to capitalise on this, but N.B.T threw everyone back to hang on to the points. Cleisham wasted a couple of free-kicks and had some long-range efforts go over. AFC tried a more patient approach to break N.B.T down but it didn't work. N.B.T noticed the lack of fitness and should have increased the lead when presented with a one-on-one. Yet another defeat for AFC but their was no shame in this performance; a bit more luck and they'd have run away with it.


TEAM: Cope; Epps (Spencer 6), S.Charman (Cleisham 10), Pilcher (Ward 14); R.Charman.

SCORERS: R.Charman 7


Manager comments:
"We deserved at least a point because we really dominated. We hit the post twice and crossbar, Ward missed a good chance and the second goal got a wicked curl that defied Cope. We should take heart from this. We played very well, we were very unlucky and at least now we have ended the goal drought. We have now moved down a place and it looks as though we are in serious danger of finishing bottom. GAP are playing very well and have games in hand, so they will probably finish 9th. If we finish bottom then we will look back on this game and The Whistlers game. The F.G.Barnes game is now a must-win game."