Match Report: Hemel Hempstead Town

The Stones started brightly. On two minutes, Riley Court’s free-kick into the area came back out to him and he picked out Muhammadu Faal whose rising effort was expertly turned behind by Michael Johnson in the Hemel goal.

Court was soon responsible for another free-kick, which he curled just over the bar. But the game then became a bit scrappy until the final five minutes before the interval.

Three minutes before the break, Antony Papadopoulos played a delightful ball into Court. Court went for goal and once again, Johnson made a decent block.

It was the visitors who took the lead though as Hemel scored on 45 minutes. A free-kick from Jack Lorentzen-Jones came to Millar Matthews-Lewis who headed the ball down before finding the back of the net with a fine bicycle kick.

Maidstone were pushing for an equaliser right from the outset of the second half. Papadopoulos passed to Jephte Tanga whose inviting ball in was flicked just wide by Faal.

Nathan Harness launched a long kick downfield. It was well controlled by Faal but Johnson was quickly off his line and Faal’s attempt on goal had the power taken out of it before it was comfortably cleared.

Court passed to Sam Corne. Corne curled in a cross and Papadopoulos’ header was stopped by Johnson.

Then on 61 minutes, Maidstone went close. The ball came to Tanga whose fierce effort was well saved by Johnson.

Not long after this, the Stones were awarded a free-kick, close to the edge of the box. Court sent the ball over the wall and it didn’t miss the goal by much.

Hemel were defending well, and it wasn’t until the 84th minute that Maidstone carved out what turned out to be their final notable chance of the afternoon. David Sesay sent over a very deep cross towards the back post which Taylor Foran headed down and Johnson gathered the ball.

Maidstone United: –

Hemel Hempstead: Millar Matthews-Lewis 45

Maidstone United: 1. Nathan Harness, 2. David Sesay (15. David Agbontohoma 90), 5. George Fowler, 24. Taylor Foran, 3. Leo Hamblin, 8. Sam Corne (9. Deon Moore 64), 6. TJ Bramble, 7. Jephte Tanga, 17. Riley Court, 20. Antony Papadopoulos (10. John Gilbert 64), 22. Muhammadu Faal (23. Hamzad Kargbo 74). Subs not used: 13. Lenny Holden.

Hemel Hempstead: 1. Michael Johnson, 5. Charlie Rowan, 6. Louis Lomas, 19. Jack Bateson, 22. Devante Stanley, 7. George Williams (12. Kryan Wiltshire 67), 15. Matthew Achuba, 14. Oliver Davis (20. Mauro Vilhete 90), 3. Darion Dowrich, 9. Millar Matthews-Lewis (11. Finley Wilkinson 84), 27. Jack Lorentzen-Jones (23. Trae Cook-Appiah 88). Subs not used: 25. Thomas Morrell.