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A second-half strike from Danny Hockton earned Maidstone United a valuable three points against Billericay Town at Homelands last night.
On a difficult surface, both sides who are in danger of relegation from the Ryman Premier, battled hard but Hockton’s well-taken goal early in the second-half proved enough to warrant a rare home win.
United boss Peter Nott welcomed back winger Antonio Gonella after he agreed to re-join the club to fill the void left by the outgoing Nick Barnes.
Goalkeeper Andy Walker, who joined the Stones on a 30-day loan from Billericay, was available to play against his parent club.
Both sides struggled to cope with the playing surface at Homelands and chances were few and far between in the first-half. The best chance of the half fell to Billericay’s Billy Bricknell on 17 minutes.
The Maidstone defence failed to deal with a cross into the area and Bricknell’s acrobatic overhead kick forced a smart reaction save from Walker.
Both sides were involved in a midfield battle for the remainder of the half with neither goalkeeper really tested.
Maidstone started the second-half brightly and could have opened the scoring inside the first minute. A Steve Elliott cross found Gonnella and his diving header was saved by goalkeeper Paul Nicholls.
The home supporters didn’t have to wait long for a goal as eight minutes later the Stones took the lead through Hockton. Ant Bodle’s through ball found the former Margate strike, who clipped the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
Billericay responded and should have scored an equaliser on the hour. Former Crystal Palace striker Simon Thomas went through on goal, but Walker managed to grab the ball at his feet.
Maidstone were forced to defend for long periods of the second-half and were reduced to 10 men when Elliott picking up a second yellow card in injury time, but they held firm to pick up three points.
The Stones’ first home league win since November 17 lifted the side to 16th in the league, four points adrift of the top 10 and six points clear of the relegation zone. Maidstone are back in action this Saturday with a trip to Sutton United.
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