Maidstone faced Oxford City in one of the biggest game in the National League South all season. Maidstone were in 2nd and 3 points behind Dorking Wanderers. Oxford City were 3rd and 3 points behind Maidstone. This is one of the biggest games in the title race this season as a loss for Oxford City would almost certainly rule them out of the title race but Maidstone needed to win or Oxford City would catch up. Both sides needed to catch up with Dorking Wanderers.
Both teams started well in the stormy conditions and both played as if they were wary of the potential impact of this game on their season. Maidstone took the lead thanks to a screamer from Joan Luque who cut in past the Oxford City defender and bent it into the top corner to give Maidstone a massive lead. It was 2-0 10 minutes later when Joe Ellul headed in following a great Regan Booty corner giving the Stones a 2 goal cushion. Maidstone were flying and it was looking great but Oxford City pulled an unexpected goal back. The scorer was Joe Iaciofano after a blunder from the Maidstone defence and after a scramble Iaciofano got a goal back for Oxford City. It was 2-1 at half time. Ben Dundinksi had to pull off lots of great saves to keep Maidstone at bay. Maidstone kept pressing and attacking for the 3rd goal but then Regan Booty got a second yellow card and was sent walking with 15 minutes to go. Maidstone held on and in the 95th minute City got a red card after Harvey Bradbury got stamped on and he reacted so he was sent walking too. This was the final act of the game as Maidstone ran out 2-1 winners in the huge game to keep the pressure on Dorking Wanderers.
This now meant Maidstone stay 2nd and only 3 points behind Dorking Wanderers who have won again today. Maidstone are now 7 points ahead of Oxford having played a game more. Oxford City move down to 4th after Dartford overtake them after also winning. Oxford are now 10 points behind Dorking Wanderers. They are also 8 ahead of Chippenham Town who are 8th just outsid the play-offs.
Photo courtesy of Oxford City twitter