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The Stones have now picked up just three points from their last seven games after yet another trip to Essex ended in misery for Maidstone United.
With new signings Marc Clarey, Ian Selley and Mark Saunders all making their debuts, The Stones looked a much more organised side and in the first half in particular, they enjoyed the majority of possession. However, unfortunately, the visitors failed to force Dale Brightly into a save and they lacked any creativity in the final third of the pitch.
“I’m disappointed with the result and although it was a much improved performance it was still no where near the standard that we require” said Alan Walker afterwards. “Defensively we need to be sharper and on our toes and attacking wise, we need to show a bit more variation and craft.”
For the first time in four games, Maidstone managed to make it past the fourth minute without conceding a goal and after recovering from a nervy start, they slowly began to grow in confidence.
However, it was Hornchurch who had the first opportunity on goal when Ben Lewis hesitated as a long ball was launched forwards but Simon Parker’s header went straight into the arms of Steve Northwood.
With ten minutes gone, a neat move from Maidstone saw Nick Hegley whip the ball in for Mark Saunders and his header just cleared the cross bar.
The Stones were winning a number of corners on both sides of the pitch but despite good deliveries from Ian Selley, they could not take advantage of these set pieces.
On 18 minutes, Sam Tydeman’s attempted clearance swirled back towards his own goal giving Parker a chance to cut inside from the left and Northwood had to be alert to parry Parker’s shot into the side netting.
Ten minutes before half time, Hegley was fouled on the edge of the box. Selley fiercely drove the resultant free-kick goalwards and it took a deflection as it went only inches wide.
With the game in first half injury time, The Stones were grateful for Northwood for keeping the scores level at the break. A corner on the right hand side was delivered by Mark Janney and Jim McFarlane’s powerful header looked certain to be going in until Northwood flung himself to his left to deny the Hornchurch defender.
The Urchins began to increase the pressure after the break and Parker should have scored on at least one occasion. On 66 minutes, he played a one-two with Janney only to scuff his shot when well placed then three minutes later, Parker picked his way through the Maidstone defence and this time he was thwarted by a diving save from Northwood.
With 70 minutes gone, a corner from Janney once again picked out the unmarked McFarlane at the far post but this time he planted his header wide.
However, the deadlock was finally broken on 75 minutes when another good delivery from a Janney corner saw the ball drop to substitute Dean Green who steered the ball in through a crowd of Stones players.
Hornchurch then made certain of the victory shortly afterwards when Jacob Erksine was caught in possession in midfield and substitute Harry Elmes raced clear on goal before dispatching a confident finish past Northwood.
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