The Stones couldn’t make it back to back wins but gained a valuable point on the road in what was a very poor game at Bridge Avenue.
George Elokobi made just the one change from last Saturday’s late win against Salisbury with Temi Eweka coming back in following a nasty head injury sustained against Aveley, with Raphe Brown coming out the side due to suspension.
In the opening stages, neither side really seemed to settle with both sides looking to play long ball and pounce onto mistakes on what was a very bobbly pitch.
The game really lacked clear cut chances in the first 45. Darren McQueen tried his luck from the edge of the box but his weak effort went straight into the hands of Alexis Andre Jr.
There were moments where the Stones got into some decent areas out wide with both Charlie Seaman and Ben Brookes looking to offer their crossing expertise but the end product was hard to come by.
Charlie Adams looked to try and lift the stadium with an ambitious shot from 25 yards out but never looked like troubling Andre Jr.
The Stones best chance of the half came five minutes before the end when Aaron Blair looked to cut on the outside of Harry Gibbs but his shot took a deflection off the Urchins defender before going into the side netting.
It was more of the same in the second half with neither team being able to create many clear cut chances. Charlie Pegrum’s half volley needed an important block by Eweka’s head which for a second looked like it might have been heading towards the top left hand corner.
Ex-Stone Razzaq Coleman De-Graft looked to cause issues down the right hand side including a dangerous ball across ball but was too high for anyone to get on the end of it.
The best chance for the Stones came seven minutes from time when Sam Corne’s whipped free kick to the front post was flicked on by Temi Eweka and came back off the bar.
Substitute Tommy Wood nearly won it for the Urchins when he was played through with the ball over the top but his controlled finish didn’t trouble Andre Jr. At the other end, it was backs to the wall for Hornchurch with a few important blocks including one from Eweka’s whose powerful drive was denied at the last moment.
There was still time for Sean Scannell to make his mark as he got into a 2 on 1 situation and ended with his dipping shot being awkward for Andre Jr but the Stones number one did really well to bat it away from danger.
Hornchurch FC: 1. Mason Terry, 2. Will Greenidge, 5. Harry Gibbs, 6. Ryan Scott (C), 21. Nathan Bertram-Cooper, 4. Charlee Adams, 8. Tom Wraight, 10. Angelo Balanta, 14. Charlie Pegrum, 12. Darren McQueen, 19. Makai Welch. Subs not used: 3. Giles Phillips, 11. Razzaq Coleman De-Graft, 17. Ollie Muldoon, 18. Tommy Wood, 20. Sean Scannell.
Maidstone United: 1. Alexis Andre Jr, 2. Temi Eweka, 3. Ben Brookes, 4. Reiss Greenidge, 5. George Fowler, 7. Jordan Higgs, 8. Sam Corne (C), 9. Aaron Blair, 11. Charlie Seaman, 18. Bivesh Gurung, 19. Tom Leahy. Subs not used: 12. Arj Krasniqi, 13. Lenny Holden, 14. Tayt Trusty, 15. Sol Wanjau-Smith, 20. Ruben Shakpoke.
