Can Stevenage Avoid An Upset Against Maidstone?

Stevenage will be hoping to build upon their 5-1 thrashing of Cheltenham Town in their FA Cup first round replay against non-league Maidstone United tomorrow (20th November,19:45). Maidstone of the Isthmian Premier Division held the League 2 also-rans to a goalless draw away from home in the initial fixture.

The Cheltenham victory, the Hertfordshire side`s only match since their FA Cup stalemate, sees Graham Westley`s men go three games without a defeat in the league. Chris Beardsley broke the deadlock in the fifth minute before completing a first half brace. Beardsley`s second and third goals of the season came either side of Charlie Lee`s powerful eighth minute strike.

Lee Barnard grabbed two goals in the second half to ensure that Byron Harrison`s effort was a mere consolation for the Robins who have begun to slip down the table after an initial good start.

Maidstone are second in their league and have four games in hand over top of the tree Margate who are only seven points to the good. They have played twice since causing a ripple of panic amongst Stevenage connections, though failed to win either.

Jay Saunders` men dropped points at home for the first time all season by drawing one all with Dulwich Hamlet. Terrell Forbes grabbed the opener in the second half for the fifth placed side, before Jay May equalised five minutes later for the Stones.

Three days later, Maidstone were powerless to stop AFC Sudbury progressing through to the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy. Sudbury subjected the Gallagher Stadium outfit to their first home defeat of the season, the match ending 2-0 with both goals coming from Kris Newey to continue United`s dip in form.

Such misfortune means that Westley`s men are the 19/20 favourites to win the return tie and inflict a second defeat in as many games upon the Stones. Both betfred and Totesport are offering the best price on a home victory with 7/2 available at both bookmakers. Meanwhile, a draw after 90 minutes can be picked up at 14/5 with both bet365 and betfair.

Jay May will miss the match for United after receiving a red card in the game against Sudbury. The 28-year-old striker was dismissed after mistiming an aerial challenge with Craig Pope of the Isthmian League Division One North side. May joined the club from Bromley before the start of the season and has bagged seven league goals in the club`s first 17 games.

May`s absence won`t diminish the Stone`s goal threat too much, however, with the likes of Frannie Collin, Alex Flisher and Jack Parkinson all in form. The strikers are 11/4 (ladbrokes), 4/1 (bet365) and 11/2 (paddy Power) respectively to score at any time.

Ronnie Henry, Stevenage captain, has told his team-mates that they mustn`t underestimate tomorrow`s opponents telling the Hertfordshire Mercury that Maidstone will be `confident` whilst also outlining the challenges of playing on a 3G pitch.

`They will be confident as well. They are at home on a 3G pitch in front of their own fans. But we are a confident bunch of lads.` He told the local newspaper. `Everybody expects us to beat Maidstone and rightly so, they are three leagues below us.`

Southend loan signing Barnard is available to play after the 30 year old signed for their League Two rivals on the last day of October. His brace against Cheltenham took his goal tally up to three and is 13/8 (Coral) to hit the back of the net at any time. Jack Jebb may also receive a call up after signing an extension on his loan contract from Arsenal.

Dean Parrett (foot) and Calvin Zola (ankle) are long-term absentees, whilst Adam Marriott was named on the bench for the Cheltenham clash having reached full fitness after a hamstring injury.

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19/11/2014     © Frixo 2026