Maidstone United KYL U14 Cruise To 6-0 Victory At Alderbrook Recreation Ground

Maidstone United KYL U14 travelled to Alderbrook Recreation Ground Grass Pitch 1 on 14 December 2025 for a 12:00pm kick-off in a cup away match against Crowborough Athletic U14. The hosts delivered a commanding performance, running out comfortable 6-0 winners in this 11-a-side encounter lasting 70 minutes plus injury time.

Maidstone lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, with Ollie Higginson guarding the goal. The defensive line consisted of Blake Vince at right back, central defenders Eddie Ambrose and Danny Lowe, and Liam Rich on the left. Anchoring the midfield was Tosan Okomi, supported further forward by right attacking midfielder Tank Evans and left attacking midfielder Harrison Smith. Leading the front line were three forwards: Zane Clements on the right, Zaph Kouassi as the central striker, and Rylee Rodgers on the left. The substitutes available were Sawyer Booth, Bertie Hayward, and Max Carney. Bernie Farley and Tommy Monaghan were on holiday for this fixture so we look forward to welcoming them back.

From the outset, Maidstone showed their intent. Within the first minute, Tosan Okomi made a crucial tackle to disrupt Crowborough’s early momentum. Quickly following, Zane Clements demonstrated his vision with a slide rule pass in the second minute, while Zaph Kouassi also contributed defensively with a timely tackle. The defensive solidity was further reinforced by Eddie Ambrose’s interception in the third minute, as Maidstone’s midfield and attack combined fluidly. Harrison Smith and Zane Clements both provided key passes in the third minute, the former with a slide rule and the latter with a long pass, setting the tone for a dynamic attacking display.

The defensive unit remained resolute, with Blake Vince and Danny Lowe making important tackles and clearances in the fourth minute. Liam Rich began to influence proceedings offensively, delivering a slide rule pass in the same minute, quickly followed by a similar pass from Kouassi. Liam’s long pass in the fifth minute helped maintain Maidstone’s attacking rhythm. Despite an early attempt from Tosan Okomi that flew high over the bar in the sixth minute, Maidstone’s defensive discipline was evident as Zane Clements intercepted a threat shortly after.

The breakthrough came in the seventh minute when Zane Clements expertly finished inside the box with his right foot, following a neat short pass from Zaph Kouassi. This goal set Maidstone on their way and was immediately backed up by goalkeeper Ollie Higginson’s confident catch to deny any immediate response. Maidstone continued to probe, with Okomi delivering a long pass in the eighth minute and Danny Lowe intercepting to snuff out danger. Liam Rich’s long pass in the ninth minute and subsequent clearances by Ambrose kept the opposition at bay.

Throughout the opening quarter, Maidstone’s midfield orchestrated play with slide rule passes from Okomi and Liam Rich, while Liam also cleared multiple threats in quick succession. Danny Lowe’s defensive contributions were relentless, with a series of clearances and tackles between the 12th and 14th minutes, complemented by Kouassi’s defensive tackle. Rylee Rodgers and Tosan Okomi combined well in the 14th minute with long and slide rule passes, while Blake Vince and Liam Rich continued to make crucial tackles and interceptions.

Liam Rich’s shot was saved in the 17th minute, but he quickly created another chance with a slide rule pass. Harrison Smith also provided a slide rule pass in the 18th minute, with Blake Vince and Liam Rich clearing defensive threats. Tank Evans and Harrison Smith contributed interceptions and tackles, while Zane Clements intercepted in the 20th minute. Danny Lowe’s long pass in the 22nd minute and subsequent clearances by Tank Evans and Liam Rich ensured Maidstone’s control.

At the 24th minute mark, Maidstone made a triple substitution: Max Carney replaced Liam Rich, Sawyer Booth came on for Zane Clements, and Bertie Hayward took over from Zaph Kouassi. The fresh legs immediately impacted the game, with Hayward intercepting in the 26th minute and Blake Vince delivering a long pass. Max Carney’s tackle in the 27th minute and a wide attempt from Harrison Smith in the 28th minute kept the pressure on Crowborough. Defensive headers and clearances by Danny Lowe, Blake Vince, Max Carney, and Liam Rich maintained Maidstone’s dominance.

Bertie Hayward’s long pass in the 29th minute and Tank Evans’ flick in the 30th minute helped sustain attacking momentum. Tosan Okomi’s headed clearance and Danny Lowe’s interception in the 31st minute further frustrated the opposition. Harrison Smith’s high attempt in the 32nd minute was followed by more defensive headers from Okomi and interceptions from Tank Evans and Blake Vince. Liam Rich’s clearances and a block by Blake Vince in the mid-30s kept the clean sheet intact.

Half-time arrived with Maidstone firmly in control at 1-0. The second half began with Tank Evans providing a long pass in the 36th minute, quickly followed by Rylee Rodgers’ interception. Moments later, Sawyer Booth doubled the lead with a stunning lob from long range, struck with his right foot, leaving the goalkeeper no chance. Ollie Higginson made a vital dive at the feet to deny Crowborough’s response, while Danny Lowe cleared another threat. Tank Evans’ high attempt was off target, but Booth’s slide rule pass in the 38th minute and Okomi’s interception kept Maidstone on the front foot.

Max Carney and Danny Lowe combined well with clearances and tackles in the late 30s, while Max Carney’s long pass in the 40th minute and Eddie Ambrose’s successive long passes kept the ball moving forward. Defensive clearances by Max Carney and Liam Rich ensured no openings were given. Tosan Okomi’s slide rule pass in the 43rd minute created a chance that Harrison Smith converted with a close-range right-foot finish, assisted by Sawyer Booth’s short pass.

Max Carney continued to influence play with a long pass at the 43rd minute. Shortly after, Maidstone made three substitutions at the 44th minute: Liam Rich returned to the field replacing Blake Vince, Harrison Smith came back on for Tank Evans, and Zane Clements replaced Rylee Rodgers. Booth’s saved attempt in the 46th minute was followed by Danny Lowe’s tackle and Liam Rich’s slide rule pass creating another chance. Eddie Ambrose’s long pass in the 48th minute set up further attacking opportunities, with Booth’s shot saved and Ollie Higginson parrying in the 49th minute.

Liam Rich and Tosan Okomi continued their defensive duties with clearances in the early 50s, while Ollie Higginson intercepted a threat in the 52nd minute. Zane Clements then scored a spectacular long-range strike from outside the area in the 53rd minute, assisted by a short pass from Zaph Kouassi, extending Maidstone’s lead to 4-0. Defensive interceptions by Liam Rich and Eddie Ambrose followed, with Clements providing a long pass in the 56th minute that created another chance. Kouassi’s high attempt in the 57th minute was off target.

At the 57th minute, two substitutions were made: Harrison Smith replaced Tank Evans and Blake Vince came on for Danny Lowe. Sawyer Booth’s high attempt in the 58th minute was followed by defensive headers and clearances from Blake Vince, Max Carney, and Liam Rich. At the 60th minute, Rylee Rodgers returned to replace Tosan Okomi.

Maidstone’s dominance continued as Harrison Smith scored his second goal in the 62nd minute with a right-foot finish inside the box, assisted by a slide rule pass from Zaph Kouassi. Smith also had a wide attempt shortly after. Max Carney and Kouassi combined with long passes to maintain pressure. Blake Vince’s tackle in the 64th minute and Liam Rich’s long pass created a chance for Rylee Rodgers, who struck a powerful long-range right-footed shot from outside the box to make it 6-0.

Danny Lowe returned to the field in the 65th minute, replacing Eddie Ambrose. Sawyer Booth’s wide attempt came in the 66th minute, followed by Blake Vince’s long pass in the 67th minute. Harrison Smith hit the crossbar in the same minute, narrowly missing a seventh goal. Zane Clements intercepted in the 69th minute, and Danny Lowe’s long pass in the 70th minute kept the pressure on Crowborough.

Sawyer Booth’s wide attempt in the 71st minute was comfortably caught by Ollie Higginson in the 72nd minute, who maintained a clean sheet throughout the match. Maidstone’s defensive and attacking discipline ensured a comprehensive 6-0 victory, with Zane Clements named player of the match for his influential performance, including two goals and several key passes.

This dominant display at Alderbrook Recreation Ground showcased Maidstone United KYL U14’s attacking prowess and defensive solidity, setting them up confidently for the next stage of the cup competition.