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Maidstone United manager George Elokobi thrilled with performance in 1-0 National League South victory over Hornchurch

George Elokobi loved what he saw from Maidstone in their home win over Hornchurch.

The Stones produced as dominant a 1-0 victory as you’re likely to see in defeating the Urchins on Saturday.

Temi Eweka celebrates his early goal at the Gallagher with Jon Benton. Picture: Steve Terrell
Temi Eweka celebrates his early goal at the Gallagher with Jon Benton. Picture: Steve Terrell

Temi Eweka scored the only goal with a header from Ben Brookes’ fifth-minute corner as United extended their unbeaten run in National League South to seven games.

It followed an impressive display with 10 men at Dorking on Tuesday, where Maidstone came from a goal to draw 1-1 following Reiss Greenidge’s red card.

“That was a brilliant, dominant performance by the team today,” said Maidstone manager Elokobi.

“I know week in, week out, we keep talking about the team but football is all about the team.

"We spoke about attitudes and behaviours, to carry on from where we left off at Dorking in front of our home crowd and ensure we were dominant from the first second to the last second of the game.

“It was about organisation so that’s the most pleasing thing to see how dominant we were in possession and out of possession.

Maidstone Temi Eweka heads home the winning goal. Picture: Steve Terrell
Maidstone Temi Eweka heads home the winning goal. Picture: Steve Terrell

“We played on the front foot, we had a lot of dynamism in the team, especially the final third, where there was plenty of creativity and movement.

“The only thing lacking was that clinicality in front of goal with the amount of chances we created.

“It was just begging for us to get that second goal and then it could have been more.

“But credit to Hornchurch, they kept fighting and they stayed in the game.

“It was important our players didn’t lose concentration, against a good side, and they didn’t.”

Report: Maidstone 1-0 Hornchurch

A fast start set the tone in front of more than 2,000 home fans as Maidstone controlled the game against a Hornchurch team who were unbeaten in five.

They had numerous chances to build on their early lead but Eweka’s fine header was enough to secure the points and move them up a place to 16th.

“We spoke about playing on the front foot and being confident on the ball and giving our home crowd something to cheer from the start of the game,” said Elokobi.

“All of that was there for us.

Maidstone striker Aaron Blair runs at the Hornchurch defence. Picture: Steve Terrell
Maidstone striker Aaron Blair runs at the Hornchurch defence. Picture: Steve Terrell

“It was a fantastic delivery by Ben Brookes for the goal and it’s about having that desire and determination to want to score when the ball comes in your area to attack it with purpose, which is what Temi Eweka did.

“The performances have been there.

“It’s about making sure when we play in front of our home crowd that we don’t panic, we don’t show any anxiety when we’re defending, especially from restarts.

“The concentration levels were there from minute one to the end of the game and that’s credit to the players.

“Their game management was terrific on the pitch and sometimes the 1-0 wins and clean sheets breed a lot of confidence in the environment.”

Maidstone’s switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation in recent weeks seems to be suiting the team.

They’re playing good football, creating plenty of chances and looking like a team high on confidence.

“Our job is to make sure we get the best out of the squad we’ve got and out of individuals,” said Elokobi, whose side visit Torquay on Tuesday night.

“You’re looking at relationships all over the pitch and it’s important players are complementing one another in the positions they play unit-wise and the team as a whole.

Maidstone substitute Harry Lodovica breaks into the Hornchurch box. Picture: Steve Terrell
Maidstone substitute Harry Lodovica breaks into the Hornchurch box. Picture: Steve Terrell

“We’re beginning to see that.

“I did say it was going to take 10-15 games for us to see that.

“Let’s not forget this is a brand new squad.

“As much as we’ve got some of our experienced players who’ve been at this football club for a while, the majority are new.

“Sometimes it takes time for me to be able to pass on our philosophy to them and make sure they understand what structure we’ve got here and how we play, in and out of possession.

“They’re beginning to understand that now and we’re reaping the results as a team.

“The most important thing is the players are playing with a smile on their faces, they’re playing with freedom and this is the environment we aspire to build here, where players go out and express themselves.

“If they do that and we play like this and we fall short, I’m sure our fans will send us off in a positive manner.

“But we’ve drawn a lot of games here, and we’ve lost a couple, and it’s important we turn this place into a fortress.”

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