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Sport

Maidstone United 2 Havant & Waterlooville 0 match report

By: Craig Tucker ctucker@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 16:45, 09 March 2019

Updated: 16:56, 09 March 2019

Jake Embery scored on his full debut as Maidstone won at home for the first time in more than six months.

The teenager, who signed last week from Herne Bay, bagged a brilliant opener for his hometown club as the Stones beat Havant 2-0 at the Gallagher Stadium.

The equally impressive Jack Powell added the second as John Still and Hakan Hayrettin picked up their first National League win since taking charge at the end of January.

Maidstone head coach Hakan Hayrettin Picture: Steve Terrell

It was also Maidstone’s first victory at the Gallagher since beating Barrow 1-0 on August 18.

Embery looked sharp from the start as Maidstone took the game to their relegation rivals and thoroughly deserved his goal.

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Playing in front of the biggest crowd of his career, the 19-year-old went close with a deflected strike in the opening minutes after a nice run down the right.

Soon after, he hit the side-netting after running on to Powell’s lovely pass and shaking off centre-half Jordan Rose.

His big moment came on 33 minutes and what a finish it was, too, as Blair Turgott picked up a loose ball from Wes Fogden and sent him through.

A quick look to the right confirmed Embery was onside and he continued his run before dinking the ball over keeper Ben Dudzinski with all the confidence of someone who’s been at this level for years.

Embery had a further chance, Tyler Cordner with the block following a well-timed run from a clever Turgott pass, before Maidstone’s second arrived three minutes before the break.

This time it was Michael Phillips who split the defence and Powell - having one of his best games for the club - went through and finished coolly.

mpu2

Turgott and Elliott Romain also had chances as Maidstone dominated the first half but the defence played their part, too, Shaun Donnellan with an excellent block to deny ex-Stones striker Joe Quigley and the returning Rob Swaine making a well-timed challenge on Alfie Rutherford with the Havant man poised to shoot.

Chris Lewington - preferred in goal to Dion-Curtis Henry - also pulled off a decent save from Rutherford late in the half.

Maidstone looked well on top at the start of the second half, too, Turgott building on a strong first 45 with further runs at the defence.

It didn’t translate into bundles of chances but it made a refreshing change to see United looking comfortable at home.

There was, though, further injury misery for the Stones late in the second half with Aron Davies stretchered off with what looked like a knee problem.

Maidstone didn’t let it affect them and Turgott forced a good save after running on to Phillips’ pass.

Maidstone: Lewington, S Donnellan, De Havilland, Swaine, Wishart, Phillips, Davies (Muldoon 80mins), Powell, Romain, Embery (Taylor 69mins), Turgott. Subs not used: Henry, Meredith, L Donnellan.

Attendance: 1,901 (76 away).

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