FINAL SCORE:
The Whistlers.........3
AFC Maidstone...2


As the old football cliché goes, "We was robbed". The Stones will reflect on a game in which they deserved at least a draw. The first-half saw AFC counter-attacking. They soaked up the pressure as the Whistlers attempted to pass it around and drag players out of position. Cleisham was solid as a rock in defence, marking one player out of the game and distributing the ball well. He even managed to mix the gritty with the silky, making some great forward back-heels (if there is such a thing!). Pilcher had the chance to surge forward with Rob keeping things tight at the back. He had a great chance to put AFC in front. Receiving the ball on the half-way line, he took it past one, surged unchallenged to the goal and hit his shot well. It looked distined for goal but his first ever goal for the club was denyed by a decent stop from the keeper. The Whistlers got the goal their efforts deserved. After dragging Pilcher wide on the right, there was one left unmarked in the centre who had the easy job of slotting it past Cope. Cope was playing well, with some great one-on-one saves, but could do nothing about the goal. Half-time: AFC 0 - Whistlers 1.
The long-ball approach adopted in the first half was used again the second half. Ryan wasn't really getting on the end of them, but the equaliser came from seemingly nothing. A hopeful ball forward by Cleisham found Ryan wide on the left, who struck a shot from an accute angle. It beat the keeper was nestled into the bottom right-hand corner. Just a minute later, the Stones took a surprising lead. A ball from Epps found Ryan on the left again, who cut inside and hit a shot with his trusty left foot. It went under the keeper and into the net. The Whistlers team protested that he was in the area - but the goal stood. Cries from AFC players and fans were "Keep it tight at the back!", as the Stone looked to gain only their second ever win. The chance to wrap it up came with 3 minutes to go. A penalty was won for a one-two between keeper and defender. Ryan stepped up, looking for a hat-trick. His powerful shot came back off the underside of the bar. From the rebound, the Whistlers ran forward and struck an eqaulsier. A point would have been good enough - but with 30 seconds left disaster struck. From kick-off after the equaliser, Cleisham back-heeled it. It went wildly to the left and Pilcher was forced to pass it back to Cope. Cope threw the ball out to Ryan - but the throw was intercepted and the Whistlers scored the winner. AFC attempted to equalise but with heads down the job looked impossible. It the end, it proved to be just that.


TEAM: Cope; Pilcher (Spencer 13), Cleisham; S.Charmam (Epps 7, Ward 15); R.Charman.

SCORERS: R.Charman 20, 21
(R.Charman m/pen 22)

Manager comments:
"No lack of effort but I must admit I am extremely disappointed. We could have won and that would have moved us up to 7th. We've got 3 very crucial games within the next 5 weeks - all of which are winnable. What makes the result today even more surprising is that they were relegated last year and were 2nd until a few weeks ago. Ryan scored two goals from nothing and was extremely unfortunate with the penalty. We must keep our heads up. We are all naturally disappointed not to have won or at least drawn. A great display, for the first time since the GAP game we mixed great defensive displays with great attacking play - not one or the other. The last goal was a killer blow, it came from our throw-outs and thats an area of our game we must get rid of."