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Maidstone United 0 Oldham Athletic 0 match report: Millwall loanee Ryan Sandford keeps Latics at bay

Goalkeeper Ryan Sandford starred as Maidstone claimed a valuable point against fellow strugglers Oldham.

On-loan Millwall man Sandford made a number of fine saves to keep the Latics at bay, while Reiss Greenidge impressed again at centre-back.

Maidstone United manager Hakan Hayrettin. Picture: Steve Terrell
Maidstone United manager Hakan Hayrettin. Picture: Steve Terrell

The draw keeps United ahead of Oldham in the National League table and means it's one defeat in five for Hakan Hayrettin's men.

Maidstone were unchanged from the side who won at Scunthorpe last week.

That meant skipper Gavin Hoyte had to settle for a place on the bench after serving a one-match ban, with George Fowler continuing at right-back.

Sandford’s outstanding reaction save after Timmy Abraham met Mark Kitching’s cut-back was the highlight of a goalless first half at the Gallagher.

He was having a good afternoon, commanding his box well and his handling solid, as Oldham edged a scrappy first half.

Earlier, Sandford denied Ellis Chapman in the opening minutes after Hallam Hope’s cross evaded Fowler.

Oldham’s other main chance of the opening 45 minutes fell to Abraham after Jacob Mensah was caught out on the edge of the box.

He took the ball round Sandford but the finish was weak, allowing Mensah to get back and clear.

Maidstone’s first shot came in the 38th minute, Regan Booty’s 30-yard drive going wide.

Shortly before the break, Roarie Deacon’s free-kick was glanced wide by Dominic Odusanya.

Sandford got down well to deny Sydie Peck at the start of the second half, and the same player shanked the ball on to the roof of the net when well-placed.

Keeper Sandford was at it again around the hour mark, equal to Abraham’s fierce strike from the edge of the box.

An opening followed for the hosts as Odusanya and Josh Fawole combined neatly in the box to pick out the run of Sam Corne, whose effort earned a corner.

But it was soon back to the Sandford v Abraham show, another excellent save after the Oldham man got the better of Mensah and went through on goal.

Maidstone huffed and puffed, without looking like creating anything clear-cut, and they were grateful to Deacon’s block after Peck met a dangerous corner to keep it at 0-0.

Maidstone: Sandford, Fowler, Mensah, Greenidge, Binnom-Williams, Booty, Odusanya, Corne, Deacon, Fawole (Barham 65mins), Galvin (Pattisson 56mins). Subs not used: Mersin, Hoyte, Alabi.

Oldham: Norman, Hogan, Maynard, Gardner, Hope, Sheron, Chapman, Kitching, Abraham, Peck, Clarke. Subs not used: Leutwiler, Rooney, Okegbue, Couto, Vaughan.

Referee: Paul Johnson.

Attendance: 2,772 (257 away).

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