Maidstone United KYL 7 vs 1 Sittingbourne U15 KYL

Maidstone United KYL welcomed Sittingbourne U15 KYL to their home ground on 16 August 2026 for a 70-minute friendly kick-off at 12:30pm. The hosts delivered a commanding performance, running out comfortable 7-1 winners in an entertaining 11-a-side encounter.

Maidstone United lined up in a 4-2-1-3 formation, deploying a solid back four with Ethan Webb at right defender, Liam Rich and Charlie Lyonette as central defenders, and Max Carney on the left. The midfield double pivot featured Tosan Okomi and Bertie Hayward, tasked with both defensive duties and linking play. Ahead of them, Captain Eddie Ambrose operated as the attacking midfielder, orchestrating chances for the front three. The forward line consisted of Sawyer Booth on the left, Zane Clements on the right, and Zaph Kouassi leading the line as striker. The substitutes available were Ted and Sid.

From the outset, Maidstone showed intent with Eddie Ambrose delivering a slide rule key pass in the opening minute, immediately setting the tone. Bertie Hayward and Charlie Lyonette were quick to assert themselves defensively, with Hayward winning a header and Lyonette making a crucial tackle to deny Sittingbourne an early chance. The defensive resilience was further demonstrated by Zane Clements and Liam Rich, who combined tackles and headers to quell opposition advances in the second minute.

Liam Rich then showcased his distribution skills with a long pass in the third minute, quickly followed by a slide rule pass from Zane Clements, signalling Maidstone’s attacking intent. Charlie Lyonette was busy at the back, clearing and intercepting multiple threats, while Eddie Ambrose continued to create opportunities with a long pass. Max Carney contributed defensively with a clearance in the fourth minute, though Ambrose was booked for holding in the same period.

Goalkeeper Harvey Rostron was alert early on, safely catching a cross in the fifth minute. Bertie Hayward’s long pass shortly after created a clear chance, while Lyonette’s defensive header in the sixth minute kept Sittingbourne at bay. Liam Rich’s slide rule pass and Sawyer Booth’s slide rule assist in the eighth minute combined with Tosan Okomi’s and Max Carney’s long passes to maintain Maidstone’s attacking rhythm.

Charlie Lyonette’s defensive headers and Ethan Webb’s interceptions in the ninth and tenth minutes prevented any breakthroughs, with Ambrose again providing a slide rule pass to keep the pressure on. However, Maidstone’s striker Zaph Kouassi missed a penalty in the 11th minute, the shot saved by the Sittingbourne keeper. Kouassi’s follow-up attempt was also denied, but the hosts remained dominant.

Sawyer Booth intercepted a Sittingbourne move in the 12th minute, and Max Carney’s slide rule pass created another chance. Defensive interceptions by Kouassi and Lyonette in the following minutes ensured Maidstone’s control. Liam Rich and Max Carney combined with headers and tackles to maintain defensive solidity, while Bertie Hayward’s long pass and interceptions kept the midfield ticking.

Ethan Webb’s long pass in the 17th minute and Tosan Okomi’s defensive headers, alongside Liam Rich’s tackles, continued to frustrate the visitors. Ambrose was cautioned again for a late tackle in the 18th minute, but Rostron’s safe catch and Ambrose’s slide rule pass created further chances. Webb’s shot was saved, and Bertie Hayward was booked for a late tackle in the 20th minute.

Charlie Lyonette’s defensive header and Max Carney’s clearance in the early 20s set the stage for Maidstone’s breakthrough. In the 22nd minute, Zane Clements opened the scoring with a left-footed finish inside the box, assisted by a flick from Kouassi. Immediately after, both Kouassi and Clements were substituted for Ted and Sid respectively.

Max Carney was booked for holding in the 23rd minute but quickly made amends by scoring a close-range header from a flick assist by Sid in the 24th minute. Ambrose continued to supply slide rule passes, while Tosan Okomi was booked for a push. Liam Rich and Ethan Webb maintained defensive composure with headers and interceptions.

Ted and Sid combined well, with Sid assisting Ted’s right-footed finish inside the box in the 47th minute to extend the lead. Maidstone’s defence remained resolute with Zaph Kouassi and Liam Rich making crucial headers and clearances. Charlie Lyonette’s attempts on goal were saved, but the team’s attacking threat persisted with Sid creating chances through long passes.

Substitutions saw Sawyer Booth return for Ted in the 51st minute and Bertie Hayward replace Eddie Ambrose in the 52nd. Defensive efforts from Zane Clements and Liam Rich continued to frustrate Sittingbourne’s attempts. Ethan Webb and Liam Rich combined with tackles and interceptions to maintain control.

Sittingbourne managed a consolation goal in the 54th minute, but Maidstone responded swiftly. Zane Clements scored again in the 56th minute with a right-footed finish inside the box, assisted by Max Carney’s flick. Defensive interceptions by Webb and Rich kept the visitors at bay.

Liam Rich’s slide rule pass in the 59th minute created another chance, while Charlie Lyonette and Sid combined with slide rule passes in the 60th minute. Tosan Okomi scored in the 61st minute with a left-footed finish inside the box, assisted by Sid’s flick. Max Carney was replaced by Ambrose at this point.

Harvey Rostron’s long pass in the 62nd minute helped maintain Maidstone’s attacking momentum. Bertie Hayward was booked again for a late tackle in the 63rd minute, but Charlie Lyonette and Tosan Okomi’s interceptions kept the defence strong. Sawyer Booth’s shot was saved, and Sid was substituted for Ted in the 64th minute.

Charlie Lyonette cleared danger in the 64th minute, and Tosan Okomi’s long pass in the 66th minute, combined with Liam Rich and Ted’s long passes, created further chances. Zane Clements had a wide attempt, while Bertie Hayward’s defensive headers and Sawyer Booth’s saved shot kept Maidstone dominant.

Charlie Lyonette and Ted both had wide attempts late on, with Zaph Kouassi’s shot saved in the 70th minute. Eddie Ambrose’s slide rule pass created a final chance, and Ted sealed the emphatic victory with a headed goal from a Liam Rich cross in the 70th minute.

Maidstone United KYL’s comprehensive 7-1 victory was built on a solid defensive foundation, creative midfield play, and clinical finishing from their forwards. The early dominance, combined with effective substitutions, ensured they controlled the match throughout, leaving Sittingbourne U15 KYL with little opportunity to respond.