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Maidstone United 2 Tunbridge Wells 1

Frannie Collin heads the winner past Michal Czanner (Picture: Steve Terrell)
Frannie Collin heads the winner past Michal Czanner (Picture: Steve Terrell)

Frannie Collin's first goal for Maidstone earned his new club victory over Tunbridge Wells in their opening pre-season friendly on Tuesday night.

The former Dover and Tonbridge striker nodded home the winner, 16 minutes from time, after Charley Robertson's header had hit the crossbar and bounced down on the line.

Collin's goal was scored from similarly close range to Leon McKenzie's 15th-minute opener. Steve Okoh had a cross-shot parried by Wells keeper Chris Oladogba and McKenzie, on trial with the Stones after finishing last season with Concord Rangers, could hardly miss.

The big target man could have had a hat-trick during his 45-minute outing at the Gallagher Stadium. McKenzie had a near-post shot blocked by Oladogba, who thwarted him again moments later following an Okoh cross.

Rory Hill twice went close to doubling Maidstone's lead, while Keelan Mooney connected sweetly with a shot against his old club at the other end.

New Stones goalkeeper Lee Worgan made a routine save on that occasion but he was beaten just before the interval. A cross from the right wasn't cleared and as Jack Harris tried to bundle the loose ball over the line, defender Jerrome Sobers kicked it against the post and into his own net.

Maidstone boss Jay Saunders changed all 10 outfield players at half-time. Another trialist, former Tonbridge striker Aaron Gayle, showed good strength to hold off his man but then shot wastefully wide when he should have made it 2-1.

Collin hit the post soon after but the Stones had a let-off when Josh Stanford sent a free header wide from Jon Pilbeam's right-wing corner.

However, Collin was not to be denied much longer, even if Robertson's effort looked at first glance to have already crossed the line.

Collin then crashed a half-volley just over the bar after latching onto Fabio Saraiva's delicious crossfield pass in the closing stages.

The game could have finished all square, though. Worgan made a fine save to deny Harris from 18 yards and Wells substitute Richard Sinden dragged a shot wide just before the end.

Maidstone (first half): Worgan, Sullivan, Sobers, Humphrey, Mills, Hill, Brown, Parkinson, Okoh, McKenzie, Draycott.

Maidstone (second half): Worgan, Walder, Andrews, French, Flisher, Smith, Dawson, Saraiva, Robertson, Collin, Gayle.

Tunbridge Wells: Oladogba (Czanner 46mins), Bourne, Whibley, Boyle, Mingle (Thorley 59mins), Pilbeam, Fuller (Barton 80mins), Davey (Stanford 46mins), Mooney (Sinden 80mins), Cornell (Waterman 59mins), Harris.

Attendance: 597.

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