Maidstone United 0 Hampton & Richmond 0 match report: Frustrating night for the hosts in National League South stalemate
Published: 21:41, 20 August 2024
Updated: 22:17, 20 August 2024
Maidstone were held to a goalless draw at home to Hampton & Richmond on Tuesday night.
The Stones rarely looked like unlocking a stubborn away defence on a frustrating evening at the Gallagher Stadium.
They were largely untroubled at the other end in a National League South game that’s unlikely to live long in anyone’s memory.
Boss George Elokobi made four changes to the side beaten by Truro on Saturday.
In came Reiss Greenidge, Bivesh Gurung, Bruno Andrade and Shaq Coulthirst for Sam Smith, Arj Krasniqi, Matt Bentley and Riley Court in what looked like a switch to 4-2-3-1.
The Stones had the best of a goalless first half against a Hampton side who looked happy to sit in and be hard to break down.
That said, the Beavers probably had the clearest chance of the opening half 45 with Jake Gray’s clever reserve pass releasing Bunmi Babajide, but Alexis Andre Jr made a good save.
The Stones had a one-on-one opportunity of their own when Aaron Blair sent Andrade through and while he initially looked favourite to reach the ball, keeper Ted Curd was sharply off his line to gather.
Other than that, Andrade and Benton forced Curd into action, albeit comfortable saves, while Blair scuffed an effort wide.
The second half was a tough watch as Maidstone huffed and puffed while struggling to create a clear-cut chance.
And it was Hampton who had the first effort of the half around the hour mark, a 20-yard drive from Josh Keeya which went wide.
Minutes later, James Roberts’ ball across the face of goal for the visitors was crying out for a finish.
Maidstone tested keeper Curd in the 71st minute when the ball arrived at the feet of Blair in the box.
His well-struck shot was heading for the bottom corner but Curd got down well to push the ball away.
Moving into the last 10 minutes, Greenidge saw a header from a left-wing cross drop past the post.
By now there was more urgency to the Stones’ play but they were almost caught out three minutes from time when Alex Wall sent a volley narrowly wide after meeting Kristian Campbell’s cross.
Maidstone: Andre Jr, Fowler, Eweka, Greenidge, Brookes, Gurung (Krasniqi 69mins), Corne, Blair, Benton (Bentley 74mins), Andrade (Fonkeu 68mins), Coulthirst. Subs not used: Holden, Smith.
Hampton: Curd, Campbell, Atkinson (Wall 77mins), Keeya, Roberts, Gray, J Taylor, Babajide (Brissett 85mins), Wiltshire, A Taylor, Williams. Subs not used: Hunt, Davis, Brown.
Referee: Jack Willmore.
Attendance: 2,135.
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Craig Tucker