Croydon Athletic 1 Maidstone United 4

MAIDSTONE UNITED stayed top of Ryman League Division 1 South after a 4-1 win at Croydon Athletic on Saturday, thanks to a hat-trick from central defender Ryan Royston.

Maidstone controlled the game throughout but waited until the second minute of first half stoppage-time before taking the lead when Royston drove a partially cleared corner into the top corner of the Croydon goal.

He got his second in the 65th minute with an astonishing header after a Sam Tydeman corner, but Croydon then pulled one back with their only shot of the half - Jason Mabbs scoring with a low drive that Pat Mullin could do nothing to prevent.

The Stones continued to dominate but didn't make the game safe until five minutes from time when Royston flicked in a header from Aaron Lacey's throw-in to complete his hat-trick.

Two minutes from the end the scoring was completed when Tydeman won the ball in midfield, broke through the Croydon defence and, though his initial shot was saved, he retrieved the ball before it went out for a corner and his cross was forced in by Simon Austin.

* Keep up to date with all the Stones news every week in the Kent Messenger.