Report: Stones 2-0 Hampton & Richmond

There was just one change to the starting line from the Torquay on Saturday. Lenny Holden, who had replaced the injured Nathan Harness, kept his place in the side, and he had a relatively quiet evening as the defence in front of him held firm.

The Stones had the ball in the net with seven minutes gone. Jephte Tanga’s cross was met by Lexus Beeden and Dajon Golding nodded in from close range but the offside flag was quickly raised.

And Maidstone had a golden opportunity to take the lead on 14 minutes. John Gilbert arrowed in a low corner and Tanga was bought down as he tried to get on the end of it. Gilbert assumed responsibility for the penalty but his weak effort was easily saved by James Holden who dived to his right.

The momentum of the game began to slow as the half progressed. With 27 minutes gone, Deon Moore made good progress forward and he laid it off to Golding whose cross was slightly high for Leo Hamblin who couldn’t keep his header down.

Hampton began to come into the game more although Lenny Holden wasn’t called into action that regularly in the first half. The most notable moment for the visitors was when David Sesay did well to divert a dangerous cross towards the back post.

George Elokobi’s half time chat clearly worked a treat as within two minutes of the restart, Maidstone took the lead. A perfect cross from Leo Hamblin went straight onto the head of Deon Moore who showed equally delightful technique to score his first goal for the Stones.

By now, the Stones were in control. Moore came within inches of putting Dajon Golding in on goal but the ball struck the heel of the Hampton defender before the Stones then did get a one on one opportunity. This time Golding slipped in Tanga but James Holden was quickly off his line to make the block.

It wasn’t long before Maidstone got a second on 57 minutes. Gilbert drove a corner towards the near post and the ball skimmed off the unfortunate Davide Rodari’s head and flew into the far side of the net.

There was then a flurry of substitutions from both sides which disrupted the flow of the game. Hampton introduced a few attacking options which did see them enjoy slightly more possession than they previously had, but the Stones continued to threaten with Sam Corne firing over from just inside the area.

Substitute Jesse Nwabueze looked bright for the Stones when he came on. On 86 minutes, he cut inside and hit a drive which Holden did well to beat away. And not long after this, his fierce effort didn’t miss by much as it thudded into the Town End.

Deep in stoppage time at the end of the match, Josh Redfearn found himself charging towards goal. The angle was very tight though and he shot just wide.

Maidstone United: Deon Moore 47, Davide Rodari 57 (O.G)

Hampton and Richmond Borough: –

Maidstone United: 13. Lenny Holden, 2. David Sesay, 5. George Fowler, 4. Lexus Beeden (15. David Agbontohoma 84), 3. Leo Hamblin, 6. TJ Bramble (17. Riley Court 75), 8. Sam Corne, 10. John Gilbert, 7. Jephte Tanga (18. Sam Oguntayo 89), 20. Deon Moore (14. Josh Redfearn 84), 12. Dajon Golding (16. Jesse Nwabueze 79). Sub not used: 19. Ruben Carvalho, 30. Chris Swift.

Hampton and Richmond Borough: 1. James Holden, 24. Alan Massey, 15. Harry Thomas, 12. Nathan Lavaly, 3. Jude Mason (11. Eddie Allsopp 83), 25. Harry Gardner, 2. Paul Field (20. Ollie Turner 79), 5. Ronan Silva (9. Craig Fassanmade 62), 8. Sam Deadfield (10. Stan Flaherty 62), 23. Charlie Sayers, 7. Davide Rodari (39. Reece Grego-Cox 62). Subs not used: 6. Luke Robertson, 14. Max Spence.

Enterprise National League South tonight

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Maidstone United 2-0 Hampton & Richmond Borough
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