20/10/09

Lewes Under 18's were beaten by Maidstone United this evening in the FA Youth Cup.

The Stones put on a measured display and they were ultimately too strong for the Rooks, who were visibly disappointed at the end of the match.

A defensive mix-up between Lewes keeper JJ Banasco-Zaragoza and captain Scott Manning allowed Sean Johnson to sneak in and head into an empty net in the 22nd minute to put Maidstone ahead.

The lead only lasted four minutes when Banasco-Zaragoza made amends with a sweeping clearance which found Jordan Lang, and he slotted the ball across goal, eventually making its way to Arron Hopkinson at the far post who drew the teams level.

The deadlock was broken again two minutes later when Nathan Foulkes broke through to finish strongly past Banasco-Zaragoza.

The second half was a fairly tepid affair after Johnson had scored his second goal from a cross which gave United a two goal cushion they rarely looked in danger of surrendering.

Late on, sub Charles Essam's header from a free kick meant that United had done just that, but by then it was all over, and it will be Maidstone who entertain Wycombe Wanderers next month.