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Maidstone United: Match Report

Posted by FC Halifax Town
Posted on Tue 24 Oct 2017
Posted in Match Report

FC Halifax Townโ€™s winless run in the Vanarama National League stretched to 6 games as defensive errors gifted Maidstone United a 2-0 win.

Joe Pigott gave the visitors the lead on the quarter of an hour mark, before a Jai Reason penalty doubled the advantage and lifted The Stones up to 10th place.

Just under 1,500 punters filled the stands, but could only watch on as a Halifax side, bereft of confidence, couldnโ€™t claw their way back into it.

Errors from the back would play a reoccurring role in this encounter.

A nervy start saw Nathan Hotte attempt to nod the ball towards his defence, resulting in Pigott pressuring Matt Brown as he just about cleared.

The first half saw very few clear-cut chances for the home side with the first shot on target coming on the 10th minute. Hotte put his head to better use from Connor Oliverโ€™s free kick, but his tame effort was comfortably caught by Worgan.

There were a few bright touches from George Waring early on, who nearly got on the end of a move he started, but his touch on McManusโ€™ low cross rolled harmlessly wide.

However, the deadlock was finally broken in the 15th minute, when an unlucky bounce saw Joe Pigott run through, who rounded an onrushing Nicholson before slotting away his 6th goal of the season.

Delano Sam-Yorke was then able to leave both Kosylo and McManus on their backsides, before releasing right back Josh Hare, who fired the ball along the 6-yard box, narrowing missing the foot of Pigott.

The visitors were on the attack yet again as Hines intercepted a bad ball out of defence, but blushes were spared as Wraightโ€™s cross went out for the goal kick.

The frustrated home fans were finally lifted off their seat as Matt Kosylo went on one of his trademark mazy runs, before his vicious shot flew just wide.

Pigott nearly doubled his tally for the night after a late challenge from Oliver resulted in a free kick just outside The Shaymenโ€™s area, but his effort landed on the roof of the net.

There were chances to make it 2-0 for the visitors either side of half time.

Hinesโ€™ curling shot struck the back post of Nicholsonโ€™s goal after the former West Ham man could evade Josh Wilde on the right.

The 28-year-old was through again less than a minute into the second half, with the legs of Nicholson coming to the rescue.

The goalkeeper was called into action as Hines once again threatened with a rasping strike that was palmed away from goal, but into the path of Sam-Yorke, who opted for power rather than accuracy as his rebound cannoned off the near post.

But there was nothing the deputy stopper could do to keep out Jai Reasonโ€™s penalty 10 minutes later, after a misplaced Matt Brown header found the feet of the Hines, who ghosted past the defender, leaving the captain unable to do anything but foul the attacker in the box.

All in all, it was another toothless display by Town, who, despite playing some nice, intricate passing at times, just could never find the final quality to create any proper chances.

Two 20-yard strikes from Morgan were the best Billy Heathโ€™s men could muster in the second half, but neither put the unchallenged Worgan under any pressure, as he tipped both over his bar.

A barrage of desperate long shots in stoppage time were equally as fruitless, as Maidstone could see out the three points easier than many at the MBi Shay Stadium would have liked to see.

 

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