Maidstone Utd 0, Heybridge Swifts 2 Ryman Premier Division SWIFTS travelled to Sittingbourne based Maidstone United bolstered by their midweek victory over local rivals Maldon Town, and also seeking to avenge a first day defeat at the hands of the Stones.

With Adam Gillespie returning to the starting line-up in place of the unavailable Matt Cutchey, and the experienced Ian Wiles making his league return to Swift colours the visitors weathered an early storm.

Maidstone threatened to take the lead on nine minutes when Lloyd Blackman got in behind the Swifts defence and found himself with just Ollie Morris-Sanders to beat but the ball bounced wide. Swifts survived a second scare on the half hour when a neat move from the Stones saw Roland Edgecame close.

Swifts best chance of the first half fell to Reece Morgan who swiveled just inside the area hitting a savage half volley which struck the crossbar.

The Stones then had Andy Walker to thank for keeping the scores level when on 36 minutes he tipped over a volley from Robbie King and from the resultant corner he got down well to his right hand side to turn Neil Cousin’s shot round the post.

However, Maidstone keeper Walker could not prevent Heybridge from finally taking the lead on 61 minutes.

A flowing midfield interchange, allowed James Robinson to play a slide rule pass into the path or Swifts leading scorer Neil Cousins who confidently dispatched his finish past the stranded Maidstone keeper.

Swifts made sure of their victory seven minutes from time when once again the Stones were undone by a long pass forward which was expertly picked up by James Robinson. Robinson entered the area pursued by Aaron Lacy and it had seemed that between Lacy and Walker, the danger had been snuffed out but the ball squirmed away from the Maidstone players leaving Robinson with the task of firing his shot past Ulph who failed in his desperate attempts to clear the ball off the line.

All in all a well deserved victory for Wayne Bond and his team, finally picking up a welcome three points, and an all important second league victory of the season.

l Heybridge Swifts: Ollie Morris-Sanders, Billy Hawes, Chris Bourne, Robbie King, Ian Wiles, Luke Fisher, Reece Morgan, Adam Gillespie, Neil Cousins, Gary Hill (Craig Hudgell 54), James Robinson. Subs not used: Ryan Hull, Ben Codling, Adam Passfield, Bowyer. Att: 256 l With no midweek action scheduled Heybridge Swifts entertain in-form Harrow Borough on Saturday 13 December. The visitors, despite their lowly league position, comfortably beat runaway league leaders Dover Athletic 3-0 last weekend, and will be visiting Scraley Road in confident mood. Swifts will be looking for a second consecutive victory over Hendon and Ramsgate. The Harrow Borough match is scheduled for a 3pm Kick-Off. Admission for this game will be Adults £8, Concessions £4.