Maidstone United 0 Solihull Moors 0 match report: No goals but a bright performance from the Stones
Published: 21:45, 01 November 2022
Updated: 23:17, 01 November 2022
Maidstone produced an encouraging performance against National League big-spenders Solihull Moors.
They couldn't break the deadlock but there was plenty to like in a committed performance.
Hakan Hayrettin's side were well on top in the first half and while Moors grew into it after the break, the Stones were deservedly applauded off.
Jerome Binnom-Williams made his first appearance of the season after recovering from a knee injury as Hayrettin made three changes to the side who drew with Yeovil.
Binnom-Williams’ presence lifted the crowd, soon showing off his trademark quick feet getting forward from left-back, and it also allowed Hayrettin to push Ryan Galvin higher up - a good move given the on-loan Sheffield Wednesday man’s crossing ability.
Unfortunately, Binnom-Williams hobbled off 20 minutes from time but it was nothing more serious than cramp.
Joe Ellul was brought in to partner Reiss Greenidge in central defence, and they looked nice and solid as Maidstone comfortably enjoyed the best of the first half, while Josh Fawole was handed a start up front.
Roarie Deacon, playing more centrally, looked in the mood as the Stones, without creating stacks of chances, played some bright football in the Solihull half, keeping the ball on the deck and moving it about nicely.
Chances-wise, Deacon’s cross after picking up the ball in midfield was crying out for a finish at the back post, while Christie Pattisson flashed a first-time strike narrowly wide after latching on to Ryan Sandford’s long clearance.
It was like the pre-Genco days as Maidstone, unusually, attacked the Town End in the second half.
Plenty of fans made their way down to the smaller stand, generating a decent atmosphere under the low roof.
Maidstone continued to show promise in their play, it was just that last bit lacking to open up the Moors backline.
As a result, Moors goalkeeper Louie Moulden wasn't tested, although Maidstone might have had a penalty for a tug on Galvin, who perhaps needed to go down.
Solihull were kept quiet at the other end, Joe Sbarra's header wide as good as it got for them, despite some late pressure.
Maidstone: Sandford, Hoyte, Ellul, Greenidge, Binnom-Williams (Mensah 71mins), Booty, Odusanya, Deacon, Pattisson, Fawole (Barham 80mins), Galvin. Subs not used: Mersin, Alabi, Gurung.
Solihull: Moulden, Clarke, Coker, Storer, Maycock, Dallas (Reid 81mins), Kelly, Kelleher, Whelan (Barnett 62mins) Jones, Parsons (Sbarra 62mins). Subs not used: Vaughan, Gudger.
Referee: Scott Tallis.
Attendance: 1,562 (46 away).
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Craig Tucker