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Chester 1 Maidstone United 3 match report

Maidstone have their first win in the National League after a 3-1 victory at Chester on Saturday.

Anthony Acheampong’s opener was cancelled out by James Alabi but second-half goals from Ben Greenhalgh and Alex Flisher left the travelling fans celebrating.

Chester finished the game a man down with goalscorer Alabi sent off for an ugly challenge on United keeper Lee Worgan.

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Maidstone manager Jay Saunders Picture: Martin Apps
Maidstone manager Jay Saunders Picture: Martin Apps

Jack Evans made his debut at right-back in place of the injured Callum Driver while Jack Paxman came in for Dan Sweeney as Stones made two changes from the midweek defeat at Aldershot.

Stones were overrun early on at the Rec on Tuesday night but made a far better start here, with Bobby-Joe Taylor and Tom Murphy exploiting space out wide.

Murphy in particular was having a field day down the right before the hosts twigged and got tighter towards the end of the half.

A good early chance fell Maidstone’s way with Murphy making his way down the flank and squaring for Flisher, who was denied on the line.

Maidstone were in front on 20 minutes. Murphy, picking up a loose ball after Greenhalgh’s corner was partially cleared, had time to turn and stand a lovely ball up to the back post where Acheampong headed home.

Jay Saunders’ side threatened a second soon after with Murphy’s strike parried by Liam Roberts and Greenhalgh’s follow-up blocked.

Home fans in the main stand at Chester’s excellent Deva Stadium were starting to get impatient but on 31 minutes were on their feet cheering the equaliser, Alabi cutting inside from the left and firing across Worgan.

Maidstone survived a shaky spell after the goal and finished the first half on the front foot with Murphy’s strike held.

Chester keeper Roberts did well to parry from Flisher, when played in by Tom Mills, and then Greenhalgh, from a Taylor cross, as Stones started the second half well.

But he was picking the ball out of his net in the 57th minute when Greenhalgh controlled Flisher’s inswinging cross from the right and stabbed home.

Maidstone were soon celebrating their third, Murphy cutting inside and finding Flisher who turned smartly just inside the area and fired into the bottom corner after 64 minutes.

Chester’s frustration boiled over in the 78th minute when Alabi followed through on Worgan and was sent off. It was a nasty challenge from the big striker, who could have no complaints.

Maidstone handed a debut to former Norwich youngster Reece Hall-Johnson and he was involved in the build-up as fellow substitute Dumebi Dumaka hit the post late on.

Chester: Roberts, Horwood (Mahon 58mins), George, Hudson, Astles, Shaw (Akintunde 69mins), Alabi, Durrell, Richards (Chapell 58mins), Hunt, Vassell. Subs not used: Worsnop, Waters.

Maidstone: Worgan, Evans, Mills, Acheampong, Lokko, Rogers, Murphy, Paxman (Sweeney 75mins), Flisher, Greenhalgh (Hall-Johnson 82mins), Taylor (Dumaka 67mins). Subs not used: Coyle, Karagiannis.

Attendance: 1,912.

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