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Torquay United 0 Maidstone United 4 match report

Maidstone are through to the FA Trophy second round after bossing the show at Torquay.

Goals from Magnus Okuonghae, Reece Prestedge, Joe Pigott and Tom Wraight led the Stones to victory, while Torquay had Jazzi Barnum-Bobb sent off at two down.

It was a first win in six games for Jay Saunders’ side - their last victory coming here at Plainmoor in the league on November 11.

Maidstone manager Jay Saunders Picture: Gary Browne
Maidstone manager Jay Saunders Picture: Gary Browne

Maidstone employed a back three for the first time this season - Okuonghae coming into the side along Alex Wynter and Alex Finney - with Jamar Loza up front alongside Pigott in a 3-5-2 system.

It took Torquay by surprise worked nicely with the home side ineffective against the Stones’ three central defenders,

There were a couple of early chances for Maidstone with Loza off target after Pigott did well out wide and squared, then Pigott headed over from Joe Anderson’s cross.

The opening goal came in the 14th minute with Wynter’s header from an Anderson corner blocked on the line and the ball eventually falling to Okuonghae who stabbed home.

Lee Worgan made good saves from Axel Andresson, who wrapped his foot round a cross to the far post, and Jon-Paul Pittman but Maidstone were looking fairly comfortable.

Ryan Clarke gathered from Pigott at the second attempt after the Stones striker did well outside the box to create the opening.

Maidstone then doubled their lead four minutes before half-time.

It came after a free-kick with Stuart Lewis’ shot from the edge of the box blocked by a defender and Pigott’s follow-up saved before Prestedge thumped home the loose ball with his weaker right foot.

Torquay were reduced to 10 men in the 51st minute with Barnum-Bobb dismissed for an ugly-looking challenge on Prestedge over the far side.

It didn’t look good from a distance and referee Richard Hulme wasted no time reaching for his red card.

If that damaged comeback hopes, a third Maidstone goal just four minutes later killed them completely, Pigott with a fine header from Jai Reason’s free-kick.

Maidstone kept the ball well against the 10 men, with a couple of nice passages threatening to lead to openings.

Worgan was little more than a spectator at the other end, although Ruari Keating should have pulled a goal back with a header late on.

Substitute Wraight scored his first Maidstone goal in the fourth minute of added time after Lewis squared to the far post.

Maidstone: Worgan, Twumasi, Anderson, Wynter, Okuonghae, Finney, Prestedge, Lewis, Reason (Wraight 76mins), Pigott (Sam-Yorke 76mins), Loza (Collins 81mins). Subs not used: Hare, Hines.

Attendance: 804 (23 away).

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