3.15pm 1 January 2013
Isthmian League, Division One South
Maidstone United 2 Sittingbourne 1 (att 2,291)
Comfortable derby win for Maidstone, against their former landlords, to maintain their promotion challenge in their first season at the new Gallagher Stadium.
Both Maidstone's goals came in the opening 20 minutes of a first half they dominated from start to finish. Sittingbourne were better after the break, but never threatened to alter the game's outcome, their consolation goal coming deep into stoppage time.
Unlike many new football grounds, The Gallagher Stadium is refreshingly close to the town centre, although that does make parking a challenge (the 15 minute delay to kick off, to let the large crowd in, cost me an extra £1.50 in car parking).
It has an all weather pitch (so just one of my last six matches has been on grass) and an impressive seated stand. The side opposite the stand is flat open standing, and there are basic covered standing areas at each end.
For most clubs at this level such a ground would be more than adequate, but Maidstone are getting large crowds this season, and many of the today's record attendance will have struggled to see much of the game, with spectators standing several deep around the pitch. A few steps of terracing around the ground would help.
Isthmian League, Division One South
Maidstone United 2 Sittingbourne 1 (att 2,291)
Comfortable derby win for Maidstone, against their former landlords, to maintain their promotion challenge in their first season at the new Gallagher Stadium.
Both Maidstone's goals came in the opening 20 minutes of a first half they dominated from start to finish. Sittingbourne were better after the break, but never threatened to alter the game's outcome, their consolation goal coming deep into stoppage time.
Unlike many new football grounds, The Gallagher Stadium is refreshingly close to the town centre, although that does make parking a challenge (the 15 minute delay to kick off, to let the large crowd in, cost me an extra £1.50 in car parking).
It has an all weather pitch (so just one of my last six matches has been on grass) and an impressive seated stand. The side opposite the stand is flat open standing, and there are basic covered standing areas at each end.
For most clubs at this level such a ground would be more than adequate, but Maidstone are getting large crowds this season, and many of the today's record attendance will have struggled to see much of the game, with spectators standing several deep around the pitch. A few steps of terracing around the ground would help.
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