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Maidstone United 1 Slough Town 1 match report: Aaron Blair’s opener cancelled out by Sam Evans in National League South draw

17:04, 19 October 2024

updated: 17:04, 19 October 2024

Maidstone extended their unbeaten run - but the wait for a National League South home win goes on.

In-form Aaron Blair gave United the lead against Slough with a goal on the stroke of half-time.

Maidstone goalscorer Aaron Blair, centre, with Sam Corne and Raphe Brown. Picture: Helen Cooper
Maidstone goalscorer Aaron Blair, centre, with Sam Corne and Raphe Brown. Picture: Helen Cooper

But the Rebels levelled through Sam Evans after the break and that’s how it stayed after Maidstone missed several chances to grab a winner.

It was no surprise to see the Stones unchanged from the side who comprehensively beat Ebbsfleet in the FA Cup last weekend.

With confidence high after a six-match unbeaten run in all competitions, the next challenge was to nail that first home win in the league following two draws and three defeats.

They made a bright start with Sam Corne forcing a decent save from Charle Horlock after Blair’s cross was played back to the edge of the area by Ben Brookes.

Stones keeper Alexis Andre Jr made an excellent reaction save from Jeanmal Prosper’s close-range header after Slough kept the ball alive at a corner.

Charlie Seaman plays in a cross from the right. Picture: Helen Cooper
Charlie Seaman plays in a cross from the right. Picture: Helen Cooper

That was the first real threat from the visitors, while Raphe Brown, retaining his spot despite Reiss Greenidge’s return from international duty, did enough to put off Slavi Spasov after a quick counter-attack.

Maidstone were getting a steady supply of balls into the Slough box and should have taken the lead just past the half-hour mark when Charlie Seaman’s cross was sliced on to his own bar by Rebels defender Lexus Beeden.

The rebound dropped to Blair a few yards out but, slightly off-balance, he could only fire over.

Blair, did, though, get his goal in the final minute of the first half.

Antony Papadopoulos on the attack for Maidstone. Picture: Helen Cooper
Antony Papadopoulos on the attack for Maidstone. Picture: Helen Cooper

He turned the ball home from virtually on the goalline after Slough failed to deal with an inswinging Brookes corner.

Corne threatened with a dipping 20-yard volley in the opening exchanges of the second half.

But when Tayt Trusty’s attempted pass to Corne was intercepted on the halfway line, Slough broke and levelled on 51 minutes with Evans’ shot from a tight angle finding its way in off Andre Jr.

Trusty hit the bar with a header from another Brookes corner as Maidstone went close to regaining soon after.

Brookes then met a loose ball on the half-volley, with a cracking strike flashing past the angle of post and bar.

Moving into the final 20 minutes, Jon Benton glanced a header wide of the far post from Brookes’ free-kick.

Maidstone forward Aaron Blair in action against Slough. Picture: Helen Cooper
Maidstone forward Aaron Blair in action against Slough. Picture: Helen Cooper

Better chances followed in the last five minutes as Maidstone looked to force the issue.

First, Seaman’s close-range header from a Benton cross was saved by Horlock, with Shaq Coulthirst’s follow-up blocked.

Moments later, Corne’s shot was blocked on the line after Benton and Coulthirst combined and the Stones skipper sent the follow-up wide.

Maidstone: Andre Jr, Eweka, Brookes, Fowler, Brown (Greenidge 78mins), Corne, Blair, Seaman, Trusty, Benton (Bentley 90+4mins), Papadopoulos (Coulthirst 81mins). Subs not used: Holden, Gurung.

Slough: Horlock, Jackman, Beeden, Bayliss, Prosper, Abisogun (Ogbonna 72mins), Spasov (Amartey 86mins), Gilbert, Ochieng, Roth (Chambers-Parillon 72mins), Evans (Lucan 76mins). Subs not used: North.

Referee: Dan England.

Attendance: 2,224.

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