Maidstone United kept their first clean sheet in three matches with a decent point away at Hemel Hempstead. After defeats against Slough Town and Aveley, George Elokobi made five changes to the side that started midweek with Raphe Brown, Sam Corne, Arj Krasniqi, Ben Brookes and Sol Wanju-Smith coming into the team.
The Stones enjoyed the greater share of possession in the first half. On seven minutes, Hemel were unable to clear their lines from a corner. Sol Wanju-Smith’s low shot was spilled by Brad House but Raphe Brown couldn’t reach the rebound.
Aaron Blair then tried to bring the ball under control as he was falling backwards close to the edge of the box. Arj Kransinqi arrived and his effort failed to hit the target.
For the Tudors, Oliver Lynch had Alexis Andre Jr diving as his shot went wide before they came close to scoring. Substitute Eoin McKeown got into a good position only for Andre Jr to make a decent save. From the resultant corner, the ball was played to Kai Omoko Brosnan who crossed for the unmarked Mazeed Ogungbo and he headed over.
It was then the Stones turn to threaten. Charlie Seaman drilled the ball forwards and George Fowler flicked it into the path of Ben Brookes. Brookes delivered a delightful low cross into the box and the arriving Wanju-Smith put the ball inches wide of the left post from close range.
Early in the second half, Brookes’ corner came to Raphe Brown. Brown elected for a bicycle kick and the ball dropped onto the roof of the net.
On 65 minutes, George Williams was bearing down on goal. However, he was stopped by a fantastic sliding challenge from George Fowler who needed a lengthy spell of treatment following this.
A low corner from Brookes picked out Krasniqi whose shot through a crowd was held by House. Charlie Seaman then hit a lovely ball forward to substitute Shaq Coulthirst. He found Wanju-Smith who moved the ball onto Aaron Blair but his shot was wayward.
At the other end, Williams’ corner came to Mazeed Ogungbo whose header didn’t miss by much as Hemel finished the game with a bit of a flurry. There was still time for them to have one last chance. Brookes accidentally squared the ball to Ogungbo and his low drive was going in until Andre Jr intervened with a fine diving save.
Hemel Hempstead Town: –
Maidstone United: –
Hemel Hempstead Town: 1. Brad House, 2. Oliver Hamstead, 3. Mazeed Ogungbo, 4. Kyle Ajayi, 5. Ben Tompkins, 6. Kyran Wiltshire, 7. George Williams, 8. Matthew Achuba, 9. Oliver Lynch, 10. Kai Omoko Brosnan (16. Joe Iaciofana 68), 11. Brandon Barzey (12. Eoin McKeown 24). Subs not used: 15. Ethan Light, 17 Chris Smith, 18. Phil Chinedu.
Maidstone United:1. Alexis Andre Jr, 11. Charlie Seaman, 5.George Fowler, 6. Raphe Brown, 3. Ben Brookes, 7. Jordan Higgs, 8. Sam Corne, 12. Arj Krasniqi (14. Tayt Trusty 72), 17. Riley Court (10. Shaq Coulthirst 75), 15. Sol Wanju-Smith (16. Baylin Johnson 87), 9. Aaron Blair. Subs not used: 13. Lenny Holden, 19. Elliott Wenham.
