This Kent derby was a bit of a damp squib as both sides were nervous and did not want to lose, both sides cancelled each other out and both defences were on top even defenders from either side showed the forwards how to score.

The game started really slow as both sides gave the ball away and did not even test either goalkeeper.

The first meaningful shot came in the 27^th minute when Jack Payne 20 yards out saw debutant Grant Smith save it at the second attempt.

Eleven minutes later and Maidstone had their first shot/chance when Jack Paxman’s free kick into the area was nodded down for Jake Cassidy who swivelled round and from 15 yards saw his shot go over the bar.

Two minutes later Cassidy put Blair Turgott through and his low cross evaded everyone. A minute later Turgott robbed Ebou Adams and quickly slid the ball through for Elliott Romain, but from 15 yards his weak shot was easily saved by Nathan Ashmore.

Half time arrived and so far the game was even without any excitement.

The second half started like the first, but then in the 57^th minute Ebbsfleet took the lead when a Chris Bush free kick into the area was nodded down where Kenny Clark was and his volley from 15 yards flew into the net.

This seemed to get Ebbsfleet going, as they tried to get a second but Maidstone were being resilient and always looked dangerous on the break.

In the 76^th minute Maidstone equalised when a corner to the near post was headed in by Will De Havilland.

The rest of the game saw Maidstone dominate possession without causing any problems and Ebbsfleet relying on breaks.

The final whistle went and both sides will probably wonder how they didn’t win but overall a draw was the right result.

EBBSFLEET UNITED:

1. ASHMORE 3. S.MAGRI             5. D.WINFIELD      6. K.CLARK        8.  E.ADAMS (86)      9. D.KEDWELL  11. M.WESTON  15.  L.COULSON (83)      16. J.PAYNE    18.  C.WHITELY    19. C.BUSH

SUBS USED:  17. S.SHIELDS (83)   14. D.McQUEEN (86)

SUBS NOT USED:  12. M.CHEEK   13. J.MILES   23. L.WILSON

BOOKINGS:  8. E.ADAMS (77)

MAIDSTONE UNITED:

1. SMITH (DEBUT) 5. W.DE HAVILLAND       6. A.FINNEY      9. E.ROMAIN    10.  J.PAXMAN    11.  B.TURGOTT 20.  S.WALTON (64)    22.  M.PHILLIPS       24. J.CASSIDY (87)  25. R.SWAINE ( DEBUT, 45)       26. J.DOYLE

SUBS USED:  16. S.NANA TWUMASI (45)  28. G.OMOTAYO (64)   21. O.MULDOON (87)

SUBS NOT USED:  3. G.McLENNAN   17. O.DURQUIAYE

BOOKINGS:  20. S.WALTON (56)  22. M.PHILLIPS (64)  6. A.FINNEY (85)

REFEREE: Mr D.MIDDLETON

ASSISTANTS:  Mr. M.HOLMES & Mr. A.LIST

4^th OFFICIAL: Mr. S.RUDD

ATTENDANCE: 2003