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Woking 2 Maidstone United 4 match report

Jamar Loza scored a hat-trick as Maidstone fought back from two goals down to beat relegation rivals Woking on an extraordinary afternoon.

United’s former loanee Delano Sam-Yorke opened the scoring and the Cards quickly had a second.

But Loza pulled a goal back soon after, levelled midway through the second half and added a third before substitute Yemi Odubade completed the win.

Maidstone forward Jamar Loza is back in business Picture: Andy Jones
Maidstone forward Jamar Loza is back in business Picture: Andy Jones

Victory sends United three points clear of Woking into 19th place in the National League.

Maidstone actually started pretty well, Alex Flisher inches away from meeting an inviting Stuart Lewis cross while Joe Pigott’s overhead kick was well saved by Michael Poke.

A lot of the game was played in the Woking half, Stones getting in several decent positions high up the pitch, until the inevitable Sam-Yorke goal left them trailing.

There were big appeals for offside as the ball was fed back into the box but the linesman’s flag stayed down and Sam-Yorke kept his cool and slipped it past Lee Worgan.

It came moments after Stones fans had been singing ‘Sam-Yorke is a Maidstone lad’ and, while he had a job to do, his celebrations were low key.

Maidstone conceded a lousy second in the 25th minute, Jamie Lucas beating Kevin Lokko far too easily from a long ball, first in the air and then on the floor, and finding the far corner.

Maidstone needed a quick response and they got it, pulling a goal back four minutes later.

Reece Prestedge found himself in acres of room, leading a counter-attack and playing in Loza who continued his run and bent a beauty into the far corner.

Delano Sam-Yorke made a big impact on loan Picture: Andy Jones
Delano Sam-Yorke made a big impact on loan Picture: Andy Jones

Maidstone thought they were level six minutes into the second half, Coyle’s header from a Flisher long throw looking over the line but play went on amid big protests.

Woking should have had a third soon after, Sam-Yorke getting the better of Coyle and crossing for Murtagh who missed the target.

But Stones then levelled in the 68th minute as Flisher worked the ball to Loza in a crowded box and he finished through Poke’s legs.

Maidstone piled on the pressure and, amazingly, went 3-2 up in the 76th minute.

Prestedge’s free-kick from the left wasn’t dealt with and there was Loza to pounce and complete his hat-trick, cueing wild celebrations from the 603 away fans.

They were going crazy again seven minutes later as Maidstone made it four.

This time, Flisher collected the ball on the left and squared for Odubade who finished smartly into the corner with little room to play with.

Maidstone: Worgan, Twumasi, Mills, Coyle, Lokko, Prestedge, Paxman (Odubade 67mins), Lewis, Loza (Phipps 85mins), Pigott (Oakley 90mins), Flisher. Subs not used: Taylor, Okuonghae.

Attendance: 2,088 (603 Stones fans).

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