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Concord Rangers 0 Maidstone United 1 match report

Matt McClure made it two goals in as many games for his new club as Maidstone won at Concord.

McClure added to last week’s debut strike with a smart finish before the break as John Still and Hakan Hayrettin’s side picked up their second away victory of the season.

Rangers pushed hard for an equaliser but United defended ever so well to see out the game and extend their unbeaten run to four matches.

Maidstone United head of football John Still Picture: Steve Terrell
Maidstone United head of football John Still Picture: Steve Terrell

Maidstone looked a different proposition with Jonny Edwards back up front after missing the past three games with a thigh injury.

The big man gave United a presence up top and proved a willing worker chasing balls into the channels.

There were plenty to get after, too, with Maidstone not mucking about when there was an opportunity to get it forward.

Edwards and McClure formed an instant understanding in attack, as proved by the Stones’ opening goal.

It came in the 26th minute, Sam Corne with a good challenge in midfield and finding Edwards, who went on a fine run before setting up McClure on the edge of the area.

The former Aldershot man, who opened his account against Slough week, found the bottom corner with a lovely finish.

McClure doesn’t need an invitation to shoot and he was at it again just before the break, going close after a poor Concord clearance fell his way.

Moments later, Noah Chesmain’s 20-yard free-kick, awarded for a foul on Dan Wishart, brushed the roof of the net.

The Stones had looked pretty comfortable in defence, bar Shaun Okojie’s first-minute header from a long throw which went just over.

Rangers’ only other chance saw Okojie miss the target after the ball bounced awkwardly in the visitors’ box.

Chesmain fired wide after a neat passage of play as Maidstone bossed the early stages of the second half, then McClure crashed a 20-yard strike against the post.

Soon after, Amaluzor swapped passes with McClure and went for goal, with Rangers defender Jack Cawley throwing himself in the way of the shot.

Ryan Johnson snuffed out a chance at the other end with a good challenge after Joel Nouble strolled through midfield on the hour mark.

That triggered a good spell for the home side but Maidstone defended well and went close to a second when Wishart fired narrowly wide with the outside of his left foot, Amaluzor starting the move after working hard to win back possession.

The visitors continued to head balls away and block crosses as Concord upped the ante in search of an equaliser.

Maidstone: Cole, Hoyte, Johnson, Elokobi, Chesmain, Corne, Khan, Amaluzor, McClure, Wishart (Akanbi 83mins), Edwards (Kamdjo 66mins), Subs not used: Knight, Lewington, Allen.

Attendance: Not given.

Read more: The latest sports news in Kent

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