KentOnline

bannermobile

News

Sport

Business

What's On

Advertise

Contact

Other KM sites

CORONAVIRUS WATCH KMTV LIVE SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTERS LISTEN TO OUR PODCASTS LISTEN TO KMFM
SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE
Sport

Maidstone United 0 Hampton & Richmond 0 match report: Frustrating night for the hosts in National League South stalemate

By: Craig Tucker ctucker@thekmgroup.co.uk

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.

Maidstone midfielder Jon Benton goes for goal. Picture: Helen Cooper

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.

mpu1

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.

Aaron Blair tries to get away from his man down the right. Picture: Helen Cooper

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 defender George Fowler in possession. Picture: Helen Cooper

Maidstone tested keeper Curd in the 71st minute when the ball arrived at the feet of Blair in the box.

mpu2

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.

More by this author

sticky

© KM Group - 2024