MPE Sports FC 1 - Maidstone Rangers FC 2

<p> MPE Sports FC 1 - Maidstone Rangers FC 2

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">With only a single league game since Christmas due to the ferocious storms that left most of the south in turmoil, it was time for the might MPE Sports to don their boots and take on a tough in form Maidstone Rangers.&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">With a full squad &nbsp;the manager&rsquo;s selection placed Jacob Williams [GK], Harry Goodwright, Sam White, Jamie Pye, Connor Simmonds, Josh Ashdown, Billy Tidman, Kian Murdin and Jack Amos with JJ and Toby Martin in the wings as the appointed substitutes.&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">The MPE boys were piling on the pressure moving the ball well in midfield with shots from Jack Amos and Josh Ashdown being denied by the Maidstone keeper. I must say that the boys had stepped up and were playing more like a team, which in my opinion was nice to see, especially after previous performances.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">A perfectly timed run form Jamie Pye who was unlucky not to find the feet of the ever pacing Jack Amos.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">MPE were always threatening in the last quarter of the pitch, with Jack Amos rattling the woodwork [or plastic] from short range shot from a through ball from Josh Ashdown&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">Billy Tidman the core of midfield was unlucky not to place the home side one nil up 15 minutes into the first half.&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">Maidstone Rangers were quick to break and when they did it was in force, sweeping the ball from left to right. It was the quick thinking defensive wall of Sam White [Captain], Harry Goodwright and the rock they call Conner Simmonds that continued to defuse the oncoming attacks, but it was Maidstone number 7 that flicked the ball passed the every diving hands of Jacob Williams who had been truly outstanding throughout taking the away side one nil up [0-1].&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">Again Maidstone were on the attack and denied by the back three, Sam White was commanding the back line like a well organised military operation, but it was a through ball to Jamie Pye that placed the home side level [1-1]&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">The MPS boys started a little slower that at the start of the second half, with the majority of play being dictated by the away side. It was only the quick reflexes of MPE&rsquo;s number one goalkeeper Jacob Williams that denied the home side the equaliser.&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">It was Maidstone&rsquo;s number 5 that scored the winning goal some 25 minutes in, taking the final score MPE Sports 1 &ndash; Maidstone Rangers 2&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">Match reporter&rsquo;s final comment: These were formidable opponents with league one status. Regardless of the score, the boys were really playing as a team, the movement on and off the ball was a real pleasure to watch. The midfield players worked tirelessly throughout and with a strong defensive wall this team [when playing like this] will be difficult to beat&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">Managers Player - Connor Simmonds

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">Parents Player &ndash; Jacob Williams&nbsp;