In a thrilling encounter at the home ground on 17 August 2025, Maidstone United KYL U14 faced off against AFC Greenwich Borough U14, ultimately succumbing to a 5-3 defeat. The match kicked off at 10:00 am and showcased a blend of skill, determination, and tactical play from both sides.
Maidstone United lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for attacking flair. Ollie Higginson took his place in goal, with a back four comprising Blake Vince on the right, Liam Rich and Danny Daines in central defence, and Max Carney on the left. The midfield trio featured Zayn Clements on the right, Eddie Ambrose in the centre, and Sawyer Booth on the left, while the attacking front three consisted of Tosan on the right, Cruz as the central striker, and Harrison Smith on the left. The substitutes for Maidstone included Ted, Sid, and Channing.
The match began with an early flourish from Maidstone, as Cruz made a key flick pass just three minutes in, creating a promising opportunity. However, it was AFC Greenwich Borough who struck first, scoring a close-range goal inside the box in the fifth minute, putting Maidstone on the back foot.
In response, Liam Rich showcased his defensive prowess with a crucial tackle in the seventh minute, preventing further danger. Shortly after, Zayn Clements made a slide rule pass that created another chance, demonstrating Maidstone's intent to fight back. Max Carney and Danny Daines also contributed defensively, with Carney making a solid tackle in the eighth minute, followed by Daines' successful tackle in the ninth minute, which thwarted an attacking move from the opponents.
Rich continued to shine defensively, making a block in the tenth minute that kept the scoreline intact. He then turned provider in the twelfth minute with a slide rule pass, showcasing his versatility. The first substitution came in the thirteenth minute, with Ted replacing Blake Vince, as Maidstone sought to adjust their tactics.
The breakthrough for Maidstone arrived in the fourteenth minute when Zayn Clements found the net with a left-footed strike from inside the box, levelling the score at 1-1. Ollie Higginson, the Maidstone goalkeeper, was called into action shortly after, making a catch and then successfully dealing with a cross in the fifteenth minute, demonstrating his reliability.
Defensive efforts continued to be crucial, with Danny Daines making an interception in the sixteenth minute, while Higginson made another catch in the nineteenth minute. The second substitution occurred in the twentieth minute, with Sid coming on for Cruz, followed by Channing replacing Sawyer Booth in the twenty-fifth minute.
As the first half progressed, Higginson was forced into a parry in the twenty-seventh minute, while Liam Rich made a clearance in the twenty-eighth minute, preventing a potential goal. Channing had an attempt saved shortly after, but Maidstone's defensive line held firm, with Tosan and Daines both making interceptions in the twenty-ninth and thirtieth minutes, respectively.
Maidstone regained the lead in the thirty-third minute when Tosan scored with a right-footed shot, assisted by Sid's clever flick. However, the joy was short-lived as AFC Greenwich Borough equalised with a penalty just three minutes into the second half, making it 2-2.
Harrison Smith made a key pass in the forty-first minute, but Tosan's attempt was saved shortly after. Higginson then made a long pass in the forty-second minute, showcasing his distribution skills. Defensively, Smith and Rich both made interceptions in the forty-fourth minute, but AFC Greenwich Borough took the lead again with a close-range goal just before the half-time whistle.
The second half saw Maidstone make further substitutions, with Sawyer Booth returning to the pitch and Cruz coming back on for Channing. Daines and Rich continued to defend resolutely, making clearances in the forty-sixth minute.
As the match wore on, Tosan made a key pass in the fifty-fifth minute, but Cruz's attempts in the fifty-sixth were thwarted, with one shot saved and another going wide. AFC Greenwich Borough extended their lead to 4-2 in the fifty-eighth minute, but Maidstone responded quickly, with Cruz scoring a well-worked goal in the fifty-ninth minute, assisted by Blake Vince.
Despite the resurgence, AFC Greenwich Borough struck again in the sixty-first minute, making it 5-3. Maidstone made their final substitutions, bringing on Zayn Clements for Harrison Smith and Sid for Eddie Ambrose.
In the closing stages, Blake Vince made a tackle in the sixty-second minute, while Daines blocked an attempt in the sixty-third. Higginson showcased his goalkeeping skills with a point-blank reaction save in the sixty-eighth minute, but it was not enough to turn the tide.
Ultimately, Maidstone United KYL U14 fell short against a determined AFC Greenwich Borough U14 side, with the match ending 5-3. The performance showcased moments of brilliance and resilience, but ultimately, it was the opponents who capitalised on their chances more effectively.
