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Maidstone United 1 Hemel Hempstead 1 match report: Sam Bone’s opener cancelled out by George Williams in added time

17:10, 10 February 2024

updated: 17:10, 10 February 2024

An injury-time equaliser denied Maidstone a third successive National League South victory.

Sam Bone’s first-half strike set George Elokobi’s men on their way against Hemel Hempstead.

Maidstone celebrate Sam Bone's opening goal. Picture: Helen Cooper
Maidstone celebrate Sam Bone's opening goal. Picture: Helen Cooper

But the Tudors pushed for an equaliser and got their rewards when George Williams struck in the sixth minute of added time.

After a cagey opening half-hour at the Gallagher, Maidstone broke the deadlock from their first shot on target.

It came from a nice move in the 33rd minute that saw Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong combine with Jephte Tanga before Sam Corne’s shot was blocked in a busy penalty area.

Bone wrapped his foot around the loose ball, with his deflected strike beating Tudors goalkeeper Craig King.

The goal triggered a good spell for the Stones, with Berkeley-Agyepong releasing Mo Faal, who rounded King but hit the side-netting from a tight angle.

Maidstone keeper Lucas Covolan makes a flying save from Joe Re. Picture: Helen Cooper
Maidstone keeper Lucas Covolan makes a flying save from Joe Re. Picture: Helen Cooper

Tanga, the only change from the midweek win over Torquay, then robbed the Hemel defence before breaking into the box and firing wide with a shot that had plenty on it.

Stones keeper Lucas Covolan made a flying save from Jo Re shortly before half-time as Hemel went close to an equaliser.

A lightning counter-attack, from a Hemel corner, gave Maidstone a chance to double their lead at the start of the second half.

Faal led the breakaway, finding Lamar Reynolds, who set up Rush, but King made the block and also got down well to deny another Tanga strike soon after.

Maidstone kept the ball moving in the pouring rain but Hemel came on strong, with Covolan taking no chances from Williams’ deflected strike and ex-Dover man Myles Judd somehow missing from the resulting corner.

Jephte Tanga goes for goal during the second half. Picture: Helen Cooper
Jephte Tanga goes for goal during the second half. Picture: Helen Cooper

Hemel were finishing the game well, with Maidstone having to soak up pressure, but their momentum was halted by a clash of heads between Raphe Brown and the visitors’ Michael Folivi.

After a lengthy delay, during which players from both sides kept warm by having a kickabout, Folivi was stretchered off to warm applause from all sides of the stadium.

With a minimum of 10 minutes of additional time signalled, play restarted with Williams’ deflected free-kick going narrowly wide.

The threat remained and Hemel levelled in the 96th minute when Williams picked up the ball on the edge of the area and beat Covolan low to his right.

Maidstone: Covolan, Fowler, Brown, Greenidge, Tanga (Sole 67mins), Bone, Corne, Berkeley-Agyepong (Gurung 72mins), Reynolds, Rush, Faal (Duku 67mins). Subs not used: Earle, Appiah.

Hemel Hempstead: King, McKenzie (Oyinsan 77mins), J Williams, O’Connor-Ajayi, Hill, G Williams, Hinds, Bates, Re, Folivi (Whittaker 90+2mins), Paternoster (Judd 46mins). Subs not used: Kawimbe, Carman.

Referee: Morgan Conn.

Attendance: 2,407.

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