| The Stones have now not won in six games after an inspired second half performance from AFC Hornchurch substitute Simon Parker. However, Maidstone named a much changed line up from the game against Hastings with just four players starting who began the game on Saturday and for the first half, The Stones matched their opponents. But then, just two minutes after the break, James Peacock was sent off and after this the visitors failed to create a single opportunity on goal.
United should have found themselves behind within four minutes of the start when Richard Halle’s cross came back off the post to Amos Foyewa who was just six yards out but he wasted the opportunity and side footed the ball wide.
At the other end, an Aaron Lacy throw bounced in the box and Mo Takaloo’s shot on the turn went wide then two minutes later, Foyewa tricked his way into space only to lift his shot over the bar.
Hornchurch continued to look threatening going forwards and on 16 minutes, Harry Elmes got the better of Rob Lyall on the right hand side of the area before driving the ball into Harris’ arms.
This was to be the home side’s last meaningful attack of the half and it was The Stones who had the better opportunities before the break. On 31 minutes a Lacy corner came out to Nick Hegley on the edge of the box and his fierce low shot was parried by Dale Brightley who then had to react quickly to save the follow up effort from Alex Tiesse.
The Stones kept up the pressure and a minute later, Ray Freeman picked out Tiesse and this time his attempt on goal smacked off the underside of the bar and down onto the line before being scrambled away to safety.
However, the second half got off to the worst possible start for The Stones when James Peacock received a second yellow card and Hornchurch quickly looked to exploit their man advantage. On 58 minutes, Lyall had to clear the ball off the line following a header from substitute Simon Parker but sixty seconds later, the home side did take the lead. Parker sent a low ball into the box which Harris dived to stop but the ball spilled out of his hands. Errison Ahwan and Jim Bodle were close by and Ahwan made a hash of the clearance and passed the ball to Joe Keith who shot into an empty net.
Richard Halle then had an opportunity on 67 minutes but his shot cannoned off Jim Bodle but it did not take long for Hornchurch to double their lead as on 72 minutes, Parker was left in acres of space and he curled a neat finish past Harris from the edge of the area.
By now, The Urchins were completely dominant and Parker was then involved again five minutes later, when he latched onto a long ball forwards and lobbed Harris for his second goal of the game.
Parker then should have completed his hat-trick with three minutes remaining but his shot across the face of goal struck the right hand post.
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