Maidstone United KYL U14 Secure Narrow Win At Dulwich College

Maidstone United KYL U14 travelled to Dulwich College Sports Club 3G pitch on 19 October 2025 for a league away fixture against Dulwich Village U14, kicking off at 12:30pm. The 70-minute contest ended in a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Maidstone United, a result secured by a decisive goal just after half-time.

Maidstone lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, deploying Ollie Higginson in goal to marshal the defence. The back four consisted of Blake Vince at right back, Liam Rich and Eddie Ambrose as central defenders, and Tommy Monaghan at left back. Sitting just ahead of the defence was the central midfielder role, initially occupied by Tosan Okomi. Ahead of him, Rylee Rodgers operated on the right attacking midfield flank, with Harrison Smith on the left. The front three featured Zane Clements on the right wing, Zaph Kouassi leading the line as striker, and Sawyer Booth on the left wing. The substitutes bench included Tank Evans, Danny Lowe who we welcomed back from long term sick and Bernie Farley who was welcomed back from his holiday. Max Carney and Bertie Hayward were missed today due to being on holiday and we would see Tosan Okomi depart late into the 1st half, as we wish him good luck in his showcase game representing Crystal Palace.

From the outset, Maidstone’s defensive solidity was evident. Within the first minute, Eddie Ambrose asserted his aerial presence with a crucial headed clearance. Just moments later, Zaph Kouassi demonstrated his attacking intent with a deft flick that set the tone for the visitors’ forward play. The midfield battle was intense, with Tosan Okomi making a timely tackle in the fourth minute to disrupt Dulwich’s rhythm.

The defensive unit, led by Liam Rich, was instrumental in repelling early threats. Rich’s headed clearance in the fifth minute prevented a clear chance, and he followed up with a vital clearance a minute later. Zaph Kouassi contributed defensively as well, intercepting a pass in the eighth minute, while Tommy Monaghan also cleared danger with a header at the same time. Blake Vince showed his defensive commitment with a block in the twelfth minute, and Ambrose cleared another threat shortly after.

Goalkeeper Ollie Higginson was alert, catching a dangerous ball in the thirteenth minute, while Liam Rich continued his defensive work with a crucial tackle a minute later. Eddie Ambrose’s long pass in the sixteenth minute helped transition play forward, leading to an attempt from Harrison Smith that was saved by the opposition goalkeeper in the seventeenth minute.

Tommy Monaghan intercepted a pass in the eighteenth minute as he and Sawyer Booth looked to breakthrough down the left wing, with Liam Rich clearing again shortly after. Rich’s slide rule pass in the twenty-first minute demonstrated his ability to initiate attacks from defence. The defensive resilience continued with headers from Tosan Okomi and Liam Rich in the twenty-second minute, and Harrison Smith also cleared danger in the twenty-third minute.

The visitors maintained pressure, with Ambrose intercepting in the twenty-fourth minute and Okomi heading clear in the twenty-fifth. Zaph Kouassi’s wide attempt in the twenty-sixth minute showed Maidstone’s attacking threat. Ollie Higginson cleared danger in the twenty-seventh minute before a substitution saw Danny Lowe make his return to replace Tosan Okomi in the twenty-eighth minute.

Danny Lowe quickly made his presence felt with a long pass and a tackle in the twenty-ninth minute. Zane Clements intercepted a ball at the thirtieth minute, and Lowe followed with another interception. Harrison Smith hit the post in the thirty-first minute, narrowly missing an opportunity. Liam Rich and Danny Lowe combined well defensively with clearances in the early thirties.

Half-time arrived with Maidstone holding firm at 0-0.

In the second half, Tank Evans replaced Sawyer Booth and Bernie Farley came on for Harrison Smith as they made their way back out onto the pitch. Tank Evans immediately contributed with a tackle, while Danny Lowe intercepted again. Liam Rich cleared and then delivered a long pass at thirty-seven minutes, signalling Maidstone’s intent to push forward.

Bernie Farley cleared danger at thirty-nine minutes, with Lowe clearing twice in quick succession. Liam Rich headed clear at forty-one minutes before Rylee Rodgers produced a slide rule pass at forty-two minutes. Rich and Vince both contributed long passes around the same time, with Vince’s long pass creating a chance in the forty-third minute. Tommy Monaghan cleared with a header shortly after.

Danny Lowe’s long pass at forty-four minutes won a throw in the final third which led to the decisive moment. Eddie Ambrose scored with his right foot inside the box, assisted by a precise cross from Liam Rich. This goal gave Maidstone a crucial lead going into the break.

The fixture continued with Maidstone defending resolutely. Lowe intercepted at forty-six minutes, and Rodgers delivered a long pass at forty-seven. Bernie Farley’s attempt at forty-eight minutes went wide, but Maidstone’s defensive efforts remained strong with Monaghan’s tackle and Lowe’s clearance.

Zane Clements provided a long pass at forty-nine minutes, with Lowe and Tank Evans clearing danger soon after. Farley’s slide rule pass at fifty minutes put Rodgers in position to deliver a cross creating an opportunity for Clements with a superb header at fifty-one minutes, which was saved. A fine move demonstrating Maidstone United attacking creativity.

Tommy Monaghan was booked for a high tackle at fifty-three minutes, leading to his substitution for Sawyer Booth at sixty-two minutes. Danny Lowe continued his defensive duties with clearances and headers through the mid-sixties. Ollie Higginson was called into action with a parry at sixty-six and a full stretch save at sixty-seven minutes, keeping Maidstone’s lead intact.

Ambrose’s slide rule pass at sixty-seven minutes and Lowe’s clearance at sixty-nine minutes maintained Maidstone’s control. A momentary lapse from Blake Vince at sixty-nine minutes was quickly covered by Higginson, who caught the ball at seventy and seventy-one minutes. Zaph Kouassi’s attempt at seventy-one minutes went over the bar, but Maidstone’s defence, led by Liam Rich’s header at seventy-three minutes, held firm until the final whistle.

Zane Clements was named player of the match for his tireless work on the right wing, combining defensive interceptions with attacking contributions. Maidstone United’s disciplined defensive display and timely attacking moments earned them a well-deserved 1-0 victory on the road against Dulwich Village U14.