A solitary goal from Jon Benton, three minutes before the break, gave Maidstone United their first home league win of the season, as the Stones extended their unbeaten run to eight matches.
The Stones enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half although they were a little shot shy at times. With three minutes gone, Charlie Seaman’s long throw was met by Reece Greenidge and Craig King had to scoop Greenidge’s backwards header away from goal.
Ben Brookes was beginning to cause Hemel problems with his deliveries into the box. A driven cross from Brookes was flicked wide by Pierre Fonkeu and then a low corner from the Maidstone left back was met by Temi Eweka and his side footed effort clipped the bar.
After being on the back foot, Hemel nearly took the lead on 29 minutes. Daniel Roberts found George Williams and his drive was kept out by Alexis Andre Jr who flung himself to his left to make a decent save.
Seaman then put an enticing ball towards the back post. The stretching Antony Papadopoulos got a touch but was unable to divert the ball goalwards.
Shortly after this, Seaman burst forward. He played the ball to Fonkeu who elected for a first time drive and his effort fizzed inches wide.
Maidstone kept pressing and Brookes passed to Papadopoulos. Papadopoulos ran down the left before cutting into the box only for King to make a comfortable save.
Hemel then found themselves with another opportunity. The ball came into Roberts who got past Greenidge before sending the ball across goal and wide of the right post.
But three minutes before the break, the Stones edged in front. Papadopoulos played the ball to Brookes who delivered a superb low cross. Fonkeu’s shot was stopped at point blank range by King but Benton reacted quickly to lash the rebound into the net.
Unsurprisingly, Hemel improved after the break but it was the Stones who created the first notable opportunity of the half. With an hour gone, Brookes’ hard cross was headed wide by Papadopoulos.
The visitors then made all five substitutions as they looked to break Maidstone down. On 76 minutes, Benton squeezed the ball into Seaman but King was smartly off his line and make the save. Not long after this, the Stones had a good chance to double their lead. A long throw from Brookes reached Benton who was close to goal and he put the ball over the bar.
Five minutes from time, Blair did well to get the ball and run down the left. He cut inside and went for goal but substitute Max Hemmings made an important block.
Brookes twice went close for Maidstone. His free-kick after substitute Matt Bentley was fouled was parried by King. Hemel couldn’t clear their lines from this and Benton played the ball to Brookes whose lovely curling effort thudded against the bar.
As the game moved into stoppage time, Hemel went close to equalising. Eweka got caught by substitute Joe Iaciofana as he tried to sheppard the ball out of play. Substitute Alfie Cerulli whipped the cross in and substitute Saleem Akanbi’s shot was blocked for a corner. From this, Maidstone seemed to get caught ball watching as it came to Chris Smith but he couldn’t force the ball in from close range and the Stones held on for the narrow victory.
Maidstone United: Jon Benton 42
Hemel Hempstead:
Maidstone United:1. Alexis Andre Jr, 11. Charlie Seaman, 2. Temi Eweka, 4. Reiss Greenidge, 3. Ben Brookes, 8. Sam Corne, 14. Tayt Trusty, 17. Jon Benton (10. Shaq Coulthirst 90), 6. Antony Papadopoulos (18. Bivesh Gurung 83), 19. Pierre Fonkeu (16. Matt Bentley 76), 9. Aaron Blair. Subs not used: 13. Lenny Holden, 15. Harry Lodovica.
Hemel Hempstead: 1. Craig King, 11. Brandon Barzey, 6. Chris Smith, 4. Kyle O’Connor-Ajayi, 3. Dan Wishart, 10. Charle Ondo (12. Saleem Akanbi, 63), 2. Jack Davies (17. Max Hemmings 73), 7. George Williams, 14. Bailey Brown, 8. Daniel Roberts (16. Joe Iaciofana 73), 9. Ricardo German (15. Alfie Cerulli 63). Subs not used: 19. Kai Woollard-Innocent.
