For the first time in five away league matches, Maidstone United scored as they cruised to a comfortable victory over a Hampton and Richmond Borough side who have now one just once in 12 matches. With Weston-super-Mare drawing with Chesham, the Stones have moved four points clear in the race for the playoffs.

With five minutes gone, Ben Brookes whipped a delightful delivery to the back post. Renedi Masampu was alert to the danger and he thumped the ball behind for a corner.

Hampton were frustrating Maidstone by catching them offside. The Stones had the ball in the net on 28 minutes but Tom Leahy was adjudged to be offside as he pulled back Brookes’ cross to Jordan Higgs who fired the ball in from close range.

However, the Stones took the lead with a fine goal on 33 minutes. Brookes sent over another lovely cross which Leahy volleyed into the net for his first goal for Maidstone.

Four minutes later, the visitors doubled their lead. George Fowler’s fine header looped over the Hampton defence and Aaron Blair nodded the ball past Dylan Berry.

With the break looming, Blair cut inside the box and saw his shot blocked. Sol Wanju-Smith followed up and he saw his effort saved by the feet of Berry.

It took just five minutes for Maidstone to further extend their lead after half time. Blair got onto a long ball forward and there was a total mix up between Lachlan John Byrd and Berry allowing Blair the simple task of rolling the ball into the net.

Hampton then made a triple change as they looked to try and get back into the game. They did finally threaten when Alexis Andre Jr couldn’t hold substitute Zanda Siziba’s shot but he gathered it at the second attempt. After this the game petered out as the Stones saw out the remaining minutes with a professional performance.

Hampton and Richmond Borough : –

Maidstone United: Tom Leahy 34, Aaron Blair 37, 50

Hampton and Richmond Borough: 47. Dylan Berry, 6. Lachlan John Byrd ( 17. Bunmi Babajide 60), 11. Ibrahim Jalloh (14. Diamond Edwards 60), 12. George Hunt (4. Mike Atkinson 45), 15. Joe Iaciofano (28. Zanda Siziba 60), 18. Renedi Masampu (31. Alfie Williams 74), 19. Jack Taylor, 23. Rudy Allen, 24. Dominic Revan, 25. Dan Gardner, 26. Jerry Wiltshire. Subs not used: –

Maidstone United:1. Alexis Andre Jr, 11. Charlie Seaman, 5. George Fowler, 2. Temi Eweka, 3. Ben Brookes, 7. Jordan Higgs (12. Arj Krasniqi 80), 8. Sam Corne, 18. Bivesh Gurung (16. Tayt Trusty 73), 19. Tom Leahy (14. Harry Kyprianou 78), 15. Sol Wanju-Smith (10. Shaq Coulthirst 67) , 9. Aaron Blair. Subs not used: 13. Lenny Holden.