In a repeat of last year’s tie between the two sides, this game was settled on penalty kicks but, in a reversal of fortune, it was Sutton United who move into the 3rd Qualifying Round.

A penalty apiece in extra-time had meant the sides were level at the end of 120 minutes, but Sutton keeper Andrew Johnson pulled off a crucial save at 3-2 from the unfortunate Ben Swift to allow Jack Strange to seal the visitor’s progression.

Maidstone’s Academy director, Jack Parkinson, was understandably subdued at the end of the game, saying, “it’s always nice to come back and make something of the game when you go a goal behind.  I’m not saying that their penalty wasn’t a penalty, but the ref has blown twice and I don’t understand why.  I shouted straight away, and others have told me they heard two whistles.  I’m not making excuses, but the goalkeeper has altered his run on the whistle, and sometimes games can turn on small things.”

“I’m not going to blame the ref; he didn’t stop us giving the ball away or not create many chances, but when the game is that tight, it is always going to be a mistake that turns it.  We showed a lot of character, but I don’t think Sutton were that great.  They worked hard, but sometimes all it takes is a bit of quality, and we didn’t do that tonight.”

“Give credit where it’s due, penalties are a lottery and Sutton deserved it for defending so well tonight. You win some, you lose some.  It’s a shame that for some boys, it’s their last chance at the Youth Cup.”

“I thought Swifty was outstanding; he’s got a bright future and it will be interesting to see how he reacts to missing the penalty.  Can he ride it out and just brush it off?  I hope so.”

Just like last year’s encounter, the early stages were a tight affair, with Sutton’s diminutive number nine, Aidan Brown, looking the most likely to create a chance.  Indeed, the first chance of the game almost fell to Brown, as a right wing corner bobbled through the Maidstone area to the feet of Brown, only for Maidstone keeper, Tyler McCarthy to block bravely with his feet.

Sutton wasted a good chance on 11, as Dan Haines freekick hit the Maidstone wall halfway up, and the Stones felt they should have taken the lead from the next attack, only to be denied by the official’s flag. Ben Swift intercepted a Sutton clearance, which was quickly moved forwards by Ellis Iandolo and Harris Rodgers, but Iandolo had made his run too early as he was free inside the area.

From an overhit Sutton clearance on 18, McCarthy launched a quick kick down the middle of the pitch.  Jack Watret misjudged the bounce of the ball allowing Kieran Owusu to break into the area, but the Maidstone forward’s drilled effort crashed out off the inside of the right hand upright, narrowly dropping wide of the supporting Rodgers.

The first clear chance for the visitors came on 26, as Dan Bowry and Joseph Jarrett moved the ball across from the right side, allowing Kyle Hall to drift clear, but his low drive was comfortable for McCarthy to his left side.

On 33, Aidan Hayes won the ball on the halfway line, and released Rodgers, whose low ball into Owusu was gathered at the forward’s feet by Sutton keeper Andrew Johnson.  Moments later, Johnson was able to watch as Liam King’s 30-yard freekick skimmed the bar just above his head.

Sutton started the second period the brighter, with Jarrett slicing a shot across the Maidstone goal and Hall firing an effort straight at McCarthy.  A Brown header from a long Jack Lewis ball tested the goalkeeper, but the header may have been creeping past the post.

Twice, Liam King had the chance to put Sutton’s goal under pressure from freekicks around the edge of the area, but on each occasion, the ball floated into Andrew Johnson’s arms before the queuing Maidstone players could attack it.

For a long period, the game turned scrappy, with a number of substitutions, but as time ran out, Aidan Hayes suddenly unleashed a dipping 35-yard drive that left Johnson grasping at air.  For Maidstone though it was their ‘Lampard’ moment, as the ball crashed back off the underside of the bar and out.

King had one further effort saved by Johnson, but the match always seemed destined for extra-time.

As players on both sides tired, Sutton had the better of the first extra period, and could have gone ahead within the first two minutes as a late run into the box by Jack Strange saw Hall’s corner bounce off the unmarked defender’s knee, but past the left post.

The scoring was opened on 95, but in controversial fashion.  Dinos Kalagnomas was fouled by the centre-circle by Liam King, but the ball broke forward into the Maidstone area.  As the referee’s whistle went with no apparent advantage, the referee pointing to the foul, Brown and McCarthy collided, and suddenly there was a 2nd whistle and a penalty awarded to Sutton.  Dan Haines, one of two Sutton survivors from last year’s match, stepped up to confidently dispatch his penalty into the left corner.

For a few minutes, Maidstone’s players lost their composure as tempers on both sides began to boil over, but Alex Arif had a chance at the end of the period, cutting inside Lewis, but screwing his shot wide.

Maidstone had a chance within seconds of the start of the second period, as King latched onto Alfie Kitt’s long ball.  As King burst between two hesitating defenders, Johnson rushed from his area and body-checked the Maidstone forward.  With the crowd baying for a red card, Johnson was shown yellow as King’s run was taking him wide of the goal.

Maidstone couldn’t capitalise on the chance and were almost made to pay as Brown attempted an audacious clip over McCarthy, but the ball dropped well over the bar.  This was the best of three chances that Brown had in the space of 5 minutes as Maidstone committed more players forward, but none really threatened the Stones’ goal.

Kitt earned a second yellow card, pulling back Dan Cook, but the Stones’ were gifted a chance at an equaliser with the last kick of extra-time as King cut inside Elliot Anderson, only for Kyle Hall to bodycheck King’s run.  King himself stepped up and, as the rain started lashing down, coolly slotted his spotkick into the bottom right corner.

And so, once again, to penalties to separate the sides.  Sutton took a 2-1 lead and Charlie Munnery saw his effort cannon back off the left post.  Another successful penalty each took the score to 3-2, when, as last year, Sutton’s fourth penalty was missed; Anderson firing high over the bar.

Up stepped Swift, who had been a commanding presence at the back, but Johnson saved the left-foot attempt low to his right.  Strange gave McCarthy no chance with his kick and the Youth Cup run was over for another year.

MAIDSTONE UNITED: Tyler McCarthy, Russell Latter, Craig Lawrence, Aidan Hayes (Jack Richards 102), Alfie Kitt, Ben Swift ©, Charlie Munnery, Ellis Iandolo, Kieran Owusu (Alex Arif 57), Liam King, Harris Rodgers (Tom Mackleden 87).

Subs not used: Ryan Selfe, Louis Lawlor.

Goal: Liam King 120 (pen).
Penalties: Tom Mackleden (scored), Charlie Munnery (missed), Jack Richards (scored), Ben Swift (saved)

Bookings: Alfie Kitt 56, Craig Lawrence 65, Tom Mackleden 89, Liam King 96, Aidan Hayes 98.

Sent Off: Alfie Kitt 116 (2nd yellow).

SUTTON UNITED: Andrew Johnson, Kieran Walsh (Jack Lewis 61), Elliot Anderson, Jack Strange, Jack Watret, Dinos Kalagnomas, Kyle Hall, Joseph Jarrett (Dylan Burke-Hamilton 72), Aidan Brown, Dan Bowry © (Dan Cook 90), Dan Haines.

Subs not used: Jordan Watson-Brown, Theo Reid.

Goal: Dan Haines 96 (pen).
Penalties: Dan Haines (scored), Aidan Brown (scored), Dan Cook (scored), Elliot Anderson (missed), Jack Strange (scored).

Bookings: Aidan Brown 105, Andrew Johnson 106.

Attendance: 124
Referee: Mr Matthew Pollington
Assistants: Mr Simon Jackson and Mr Daniel Swannell