Maidstone United KYL U14 Triumph 5-1 At Corinthians Sports Club

Maidstone United KYL U14 travelled to Corinthians Sports Club on 11 January 2026 for a 1:30pm kick-off in a crucial cup away fixture against Corinthian U14. The 70-minute contest plus added time saw Maidstone dominate with a commanding 5-1 victory.

Maidstone lined up in a 4-2-1-3 formation, deploying a back four of Blake Vince at right back, Captain Eddie Ambrose and Danny Lowe as central defenders, and Max Carney on the left. The double pivot in central midfield featured Liam Rich alongside Bertie Hayward, tasked with breaking up play and distributing the ball forward. Harrison Smith operated just ahead as the attacking midfielder, linking midfield and attack. Up front, Maidstone deployed a three-pronged forward line with Zane Clements on the right, Zaph Kouassi leading the line as striker, and Rylee Rodgers on the left. Harvey Rostron was between the sticks in goal. The substitutes available were Tommy Monaghan, Bernie Farley, Tank Evans, and Sawyer Booth. Sadly Tosan was missing today but we wish him well and look forward to seeing him return at the next fixture.

From the outset, Maidstone showed intent. Within two minutes, Rylee Rodgers delivered a long pass that immediately tested the opposition’s defence. Defensively, Eddie Ambrose was quick to respond with a crucial tackle in the same minute, while Danny Lowe cleared danger moments later. Rodgers himself intercepted a threat on the left flank before producing a stunning solo goal in the third minute, striking with his right foot to give Maidstone an early lead.

The defensive unit remained resolute, with Lowe making another vital tackle in the fourth minute and Rostron confidently catching a cross shortly after. Ambrose and Lowe continued to thwart Corinthian advances with clearances and tackles through the early exchanges. Rodgers again cleared danger in the seventh minute, setting up a slide rule pass from Bertie Hayward that showcased Maidstone’s slick passing. Liam Rich intercepted a pass and soon after played a slide rule pass, which led to a saved attempt on goal, highlighting Maidstone’s attacking threat.

Rich continued his creative influence with another slide rule pass, while Rostron cleared under pressure. Ambrose intercepted another attack, and Harrison Smith chipped in with a key tackle. Max Carney’s flick pass and Ambrose’s interceptions kept Maidstone on the front foot. Ambrose then launched a long pass to Harrison Smith, who fired wide in the eleventh minute, but moments later, Smith set up Zane Clements for a superb long-range strike from outside the box, curled in with his left foot to double the lead.

Maidstone’s momentum was relentless. Harrison Smith intercepted and then scored himself inside the box with a left-foot finish, assisted by Kouassi, just a minute after Clements’ goal. Danny Lowe intercepted and cleared again, while Clements and Carney contributed with tackles and interceptions to maintain defensive solidity. Liam Rich’s slide rule pass in the 14th minute was followed by a tackle from Blake Vince, setting the stage for Eddie Ambrose to score inside the box from a short pass by Harrison Smith, extending the lead to 4-0 by the 15th minute.

The defence remained vigilant with interceptions from Hayward and Ambrose, while Smith’s shot was saved. Ambrose’s continued interceptions and Clements’ tackling kept Corinthian at bay. Max Carney’s saved attempt at 17 minutes was followed by a long pass from Danny Lowe, and Carney’s interceptions and tackles ensured Maidstone’s dominance. At 23 minutes, a substitution saw Tommy Monaghan replace Zane Clements, adding fresh legs to the side.

Liam Rich’s flick pass and Bertie Hayward’s block maintained pressure, while Lowe cleared danger. Rodgers’ long pass created a chance for Kouassi, whose shot was saved. Monaghan and Carney continued their defensive duties with tackles and headers, and Harrison Smith cleared a header at 27 minutes. The defence remained steadfast with tackles and interceptions from Lowe, Monaghan, and Vince.

Bernie Farley entered the fray at 30 minutes, replacing Kouassi. Carney and Rostron combined well to thwart attacks, while Vince and Monaghan kept up their defensive work. Farley’s interception and Monaghan’s clearance helped maintain the clean sheet. The first half concluded with Maidstone firmly in control at 4-0.

The second half began with Lowe clearing and Vince intercepting early threats. Rodgers intercepted at 37 minutes, and Lowe cleared again. Farley’s saved attempt showed Maidstone’s continued attacking threat, while Vince intercepted once more. Farley’s long and slide rule passes at 38 and 39 minutes created further chances, with Monaghan’s tackle and Rostron’s catch keeping Corinthian at bay.

Bertie Hayward’s long pass and Monaghan’s clearance at 40 minutes kept Maidstone dominant. Substitutions followed with Tank Evans replacing Hayward and Clements returning for Rodgers. Corinthian pulled a goal back at 42 minutes, offering a glimmer of hope, but Maidstone’s Liam Rich intercepted and tackled to regain control. Rostron caught a cross and intercepted before clearing at 46 and 47 minutes, while Rich’s flick and long passes kept Maidstone’s attacks flowing.

Bernie Farley’s tackle and substitution of Max Carney for Kouassi at 49 minutes refreshed the squad. Rich continued to orchestrate play with slide rule and long passes, supported by Ambrose’s long pass. Rostron made a crucial dive at 52 minutes to deny Corinthian, while Farley’s slide rule pass created another chance. Monaghan and Tank Evans contributed with clearances and tackles, and Harrison Smith’s slide rule pass at 54 minutes was followed by a tactical substitution bringing Sawyer Booth on for Smith.

Farley’s header and interception by Clements and Lowe kept Corinthian at bay. Lowe’s wide shot at 58 minutes was matched by Monaghan’s tackle and Farley’s interception. Ambrose intercepted again at 61 minutes, with Booth and Farley also making interceptions at 62 minutes. Booth’s slide rule pass created a chance that Kouassi converted with a right-foot finish inside the box at 63 minutes, restoring Maidstone’s four-goal cushion.

Ambrose intercepted once more, and Rich’s slide rule pass set the tempo at 64 minutes. Substitutions saw Rodgers return for Ambrose and Smith for Vince. Tank Evans made a slide rule pass at 65 minutes, while Rich cleared and Smith cleared at 66 minutes. Monaghan and Lowe combined with slide rule passes at 67 minutes before Bertie Hayward returned for Kouassi at 68 minutes. Monaghan’s long pass and Rodgers’ slide rule pass kept Maidstone pushing forward late on.

Harrison Smith’s all-round performance earned him player of the match honours, his creativity and work rate pivotal in Maidstone’s comprehensive victory. The team’s disciplined defensive work, combined with incisive passing and clinical finishing, ensured a dominant display at Corinthians Sports Club. Maidstone United KYL U14 now progress confidently in the cup after an emphatic 5-1 triumph on the road.