Men's 1st XI vs Maidstone M2

MEN’S 1ST XI MATCH REPORT

Words:           Dan Mees

Oppo:             Maidstone 2, Away

Final Score:    W 4-3

Goalscorers:  Dan Mees, Harry Harrison, Isaac Dilkes, Ned Naisbitt.

Cliftonville Men’s 1s, fresh off a tremendous three points against title challengers Marden Russets, were back on the road, this time travelling to Maidstone to take on their 2s.

Ville started on the front foot, piling pressure onto the Maidstone midfield and defence with wave after wave of attacks breaking into the opposition 23. The only thing missing was the finish. It felt like a matter of when, not if.

The breakthrough finally came when captain Mees pounced on a loose ball in the D and whipped a reverse into the top corner past the diving keeper. A finish that suggested he might help himself to a hatful… though he proceeded to miss four more by full time.

With tails up, Cliftonville pushed for a second. Charlie threaded a perfectly weighted through ball to send Harry charging through on goal, and he made no mistake, calmly sliding it past the keeper’s right side to give Ville a deserved cushion. It looked like the start of another high‑scoring afternoon, but a lapse at the back allowed Maidstone to claw one back before the break. Given the volume of chances, Ville would have been frustrated not to be further ahead.

The second half brought more of the same: Cliftonville dominance, more chances, but still no killer blow. That changed when Isaac Dilkes produced his trademark magic around the edge of the D, dragging defenders onto his reverse, riding multiple stick tackles, and burying a finish just above the backboard at the far post.

However, a spell of ill-discipline opened the door for Maidstone. Two simultaneous green cards left Ville stretched, and the hosts capitalised with a short corner to pull themselves back into the game. Once restored to full strength, though, Cliftonville regained control. A powerful Isaac strike into the D found Ned at the near post, who produced a superb deflection to make it 4–2. A goal worthy of sealing the points.

But Maidstone weren’t done. With a minute left, they snatched another, setting up a tense final spell of keep-ball. Ville held firm, seeing out the final seconds to secure all three points.

A match that Cliftonville largely controlled, yet one where brief lapses were punished quickly. Still, another important win on the road, and onto the next challenge.

SQUAD:

·        Dan Mees, William Ainsworth, Archie Bates, Tom Cawdron, Alex Cowell, Isaac Dilkes, Harry Harrison, Thomas Harrison, Charlie Morgan, Ned Naisbitt, Alex Newson, James Provins, Josh Tutton, Jamie Ullyett.