Maidstone United KYL U14 Dominate Sutton Athletic U14 7-0 Away Win

Maidstone United KYL U14 travelled to Lower Road Sports Field on 2nd November 2025 for a league away fixture against Sutton Athletic U14, kicking off at 12:30pm. The visitors produced a commanding performance to secure a resounding 7-0 victory in this 11-a-side contest lasting 70 minutes plus added time.

Deploying a 4-1-2-3 formation, Maidstone United set up with Ollie Higginson in goal, supported by a back four of Liam Rich at right defender, Captain Eddie Ambrose and Danny Lowe as central defenders, and Tommy Monaghan on the left. Tosan Okomi operated as the lone central midfielder, providing a link between defence and attack. Ahead of him, Bernie Farley took the right attacking midfield role, with Harrison Smith on the left attacking midfield, both expected to supply creativity and width. The front three consisted of Zane Clements on the right forward, Zaph Kouassi leading as striker, and Sawyer Booth on the left forward position, all tasked with pressing the opposition defence and converting chances. The substitutes named were Blake Vince, Max Carney, Rylee Rodgers, Bertie Hayward, and Tank Evans. Tosan Okomi departed early to again represent Crystal Palace in a showcase fixture which we wish him the best of luck for.

Right from the outset, Maidstone’s defensive solidity was evident. Liam Rich cleared a header in the second minute, quickly followed by two crucial tackles from Bernie Farley in the third minute, showcasing early defensive intensity. Eddie Ambrose also contributed with a timely tackle and clearance, while Harrison Smith attempted a slide rule pass to unlock the Sutton defence, though it did not immediately create a chance. Liam Rich’s long pass in the fourth minute helped transition play forward, setting the tone for Maidstone’s attacking approach.

Zane Clements tested the goalkeeper with a shot saved in the fifth minute, while Danny Lowe was busy clearing danger with a clearance and a header in quick succession. Bernie Farley intercepted a pass shortly after, maintaining pressure on Sutton’s attempts to build play. Danny Lowe continued his defensive work with another clearance in the seventh minute, just as Maidstone struck the opener. Tosan Okomi lifted the ball over the Sutton defence to assist Zaph Kouassi inside the box, who confidently finished with his left foot to put Maidstone ahead.

The defence remained alert as Eddie Ambrose cleared the ball in the eighth minute and Danny Lowe headed clear again in the ninth. Zane Clements cleared danger and Eddie Ambrose intercepted in the tenth minute, preventing a promising Sutton attack. Both Ambrose and Lowe were instrumental in stopping chances, with Lowe heading away a threat in the eleventh minute.

Maidstone’s attacking threat continued as Harrison Smith’s shot was saved in the thirteenth minute, followed by a wide effort from Kouassi. Ollie Higginson was called into action with a clearance at fourteen minutes, while Harrison Smith and Sawyer Booth exchanged slide rule and long passes respectively, maintaining fluid attacking movements. Danny Lowe’s tackle and Liam Rich’s headed clearance ensured defensive stability during this period.

Tosan Okomi’s attempt went high in the seventeenth minute, but Zane Clements blocked an opposition effort soon after. Liam Rich’s long pass at nineteen minutes was followed by a substitution, with Blake Vince replacing Okomi. Rich then delivered a slide rule pass, and Vince headed clear at twenty-one minutes. Eddie Ambrose cleared again at twenty-two, with Higginson making a key goalkeeping intervention. Liam Rich’s header at twenty-three minutes kept Sutton at bay.

Bernie Farley’s long pass at twenty-four minutes and Danny Lowe’s interception helped Maidstone maintain control. Liam Rich and Bernie Farley continued to provide key passes and long balls, while Ambrose’s tackle at twenty-six minutes and Clements’ slide rule pass set up the second goal. At twenty-eight minutes, Sawyer Booth’s low drilled cross found Zaph Kouassi, who finished with his right foot from close range inside the box to double the lead.

Zane Clements intercepted at twenty-nine minutes, and Harrison Smith’s slide rule pass at thirty minutes led to a saved attempt from Bernie Farley. Kouassi’s wide shot followed, while Sawyer Booth intercepted at thirty-one minutes. Booth’s long pass at thirty-three minutes led to a blocked shot from Liam Rich. Tommy Monaghan and Bernie Farley both intercepted at thirty-four minutes, with Blake Vince making a tackle at thirty-five. The half concluded with Maidstone firmly in control at 2-0.

Early in the second half, Max Carney replaced Tommy Monaghan, and Rylee Rodgers came on for Sawyer Booth at thirty-six minutes. Liam Rich intercepted twice and headed clear, maintaining defensive composure. Rodgers’ wide attempt came soon after. Harrison Smith’s slide rule pass at thirty-eight minutes and Blake Vince’s clearance at thirty-nine kept pressure on Sutton, while Ambrose and Farley intercepted further attacks. Ollie Higginson’s crucial tackle at forty minutes prevented a clear chance.

Substitutions continued at forty-one minutes with Tank Evans replacing Harrison Smith and Bertie Hayward coming on for Bernie Farley. Just a minute later, Zaph Kouassi completed his hat-trick with a goalmouth scramble finish, assisted by Zane Clements’ right-footed close-range effort which was blocked. Higginson cleared danger at forty-five minutes, and both Blake Vince and Max Carney had attempts soon after, though wide or high. Ambrose and Hayward made interceptions and tackles to keep Sutton at bay.

Danny Lowe cleared twice in the late forties, with Ambrose intercepting again. At forty-nine minutes, Liam Rich’s cross found Zane Clements, who scored with his right foot from close range inside the box to make it 4-0. The half-time substitutions continued at fifty minutes with Harrison Smith, Bernie Farley, and Sawyer Booth returning for Kouassi, Clements, and Rich respectively.

Blake Vince hit the post at fifty-two minutes, while Danny Lowe cleared again at fifty-five. Sutton Athletic received a yellow card at fifty-six minutes to concede a penalty for holding. Bernie Farley's effort rifled into the crossbar and Sutton Athletic were able to quickly clear the danger. Danny Lowe cleared once more at fifty-seven, while Max Carney’s deliveries into the box created opportunities. Harrison Smith’s wide shot followed, with Liam Rich returning on at fifty-eight minutes for Eddie Ambrose, immediately making a tackle. Max Carney intercepted at fifty-nine, and Rylee Rodgers intercepted at sixty-four minutes.

Sawyer Booth’s wide attempt came at sixty-four, while Lowe and Rich continued defensive duties with interceptions and clearances. Ollie Higginson scooped up a tame effort at sixty-seven minutes, and Bernie Farley’s slide rule pass into Max Carney, who's low delivery into the box set up an own goal by Sutton Athletic at sixty-nine minutes. Blake Vince cleared at seventy, and Max Carney’s wide shot followed. Tank Evans contributed with tackles and an interception at seventy-one minutes, and Rodgers scored at seventy-two with a right-footed finish inside the box.

Liam Rich and Danny Lowe made tackles and clearances at seventy-three minutes, and Bernie Farley sealed the scoring with a direct free-kick from outside the box at seventy-five minutes, striking with his right foot.

Maidstone United KYL U14’s comprehensive 7-0 victory was built on defensive resilience, creative midfield play, and clinical finishing. Harrison Smith’s influence on the game earned him player of the match honours, as Maidstone dominated Sutton Athletic from start to finish.