Friendly League

Stone Stadium
Spectators: 36 (Terracing: 28, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Richard Lindley made the kick off which started today's match. 10 minutes into the match, Maidstone United AFC's goal looked a bit too open when Gwyn Blacksmith came free, but Mickey Naisbitt reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 11th minute, Richard Lindley made a precise shot to the right of Paul Newbury. New York Cosmos AFC's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-0. In the 16th minute, Benjamin Edmonton left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The New York Cosmos AFC fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-1. When Keanu Lister fell near the penalty area in the 21st minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Maidstone United AFC's protests and gave Keanu Lister a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of New York Cosmos AFC booed when Maidstone United AFC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 21 match minutes in a wonderful position. Keanu Lister didn't get a good kick on the ball. Mickey Naisbitt showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Benjamin Edmonton in the 24th minute of the match. After 28 minutes of play, New York Cosmos AFC's Gwyn Blacksmith made it 1-2 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Mickey Naisbitt was left in no man's land by his defense there! In the 31st match minute, New York Cosmos AFC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Gwyn Blacksmith to maneuver through the defense. In the 32nd minute of the match Les Calder shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Paul Newbury showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Maidstone United AFC's Mickey Naisbitt played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Benjamin Edmonton in the 34th minute of play. In the 36th minute, Richard Lindley made a precise shot to the right of Paul Newbury. New York Cosmos AFC's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-2. Richard Lindley struck a weak shot in the 42nd minute. Paul Newbury didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Maidstone United AFC. Paul Newbury took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Richard Lindley, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 46th match minute, Maidstone United AFC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Mike Way to maneuver through the defense. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Benjamin Edmonton to make the kick off. After a rather tough play, New York Cosmos AFC's Gwyn Blacksmith got a free kick in the 51st minute. In the 56th minute, Richard Lindley made a precise shot to the right of Paul Newbury. New York Cosmos AFC's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 3-2. Marcus Rose's late challenge caught a New York Cosmos AFC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Marcus Rose helped the player get up and apologised. Marcus Rose hit a great freekick 61 minutes into the match. After having played for 62 minutes, Pete Rundle managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. New York Cosmos AFC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Pete Rundle was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Kurt Heywood kicked well hit freekick during the 63rd minute of the match. Paul Newbury made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Les Calder in the 65th minute of play. When the match clock showed 68 minutes, the score became 4-2 when Richard Lindley sped through New York Cosmos AFC's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Paul Newbury. Jo Allanson kicked well hit freekick during the 70th minute of the match. In the 74th minute, Richard Lindley hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. A collision led to Maidstone United AFC getting a freekick after 76 minutes play. Richard Lindley hit a great ball. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Benjamin Edmonton in the 77th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Mickey Naisbitt saved Maidstone United AFC from getting behind. In the 78th minute Benjamin Edmonton shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Mickey Naisbitt saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 81st minute, Benjamin Edmonton reached a very good position and smashed the ball with a huge effort into the net, just to the left of Mickey Naisbitt. The goal made the score 4-3. Brandon Lloyd kicked well hit freekick during the 86th minute of the match. After 89 played minutes Maidstone United AFC got a freekick which was hit by Mike Way. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 95th minute of the game. One of Maidstone United AFC:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of New York Cosmos AFC:s goal. The goalkeeper, Mickey Naisbitt, was totally fooled by New York Cosmos AFC's Jake Hopker, who 96 minutes into the game made a penalty shot that went in on the goalkeeper's left side. Jeers came from both ends of the stadium when the final whistle went. Neither team had looked impressive and the draw seeemd a fair result.