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Maidstone United head coach Hakan Hayrettin praises performance in Hemel Hempstead draw

Hakan Hayrettin was happy with Maidstone's performance in their draw with Hemel Hempstead.

George Elokobi's second-half header earned a point after United fell behind shortly before the break.

Maidstone United head coach Hakan Hayrettin Picture: Andy Jones
Maidstone United head coach Hakan Hayrettin Picture: Andy Jones

Maidstone had plenty of chances in difficult conditions but head coach Hayrettin had no complaints with the result.

He said: "We’re not disappointed because we played really well. We were the better team.

"The got their goal from a free-kick and, like we said, you give away free-kicks then you’re going to be punished, but the wind obviously helped them.

"But I thought we were in control of the game first half and second half and I think we deserved to win but, horses for courses, we'll take that.

"We got in loads of times and just didn’t do enough to get that final goal but we can’t ask for any more from the boys.

"It’s not often we come in from a draw and say you’ve done really well tonight but they did.

"The pleasing thing is we haven’t lost in four games now, it was a good point.

"They defended really strongly near the end and we threw everything at them.

Zihni Temelci goes for goal in Maidstone's draw with Hemel Hempstead Picture: Andy Jones
Zihni Temelci goes for goal in Maidstone's draw with Hemel Hempstead Picture: Andy Jones

"It just wasn’t to be but I thought we played really well."

Strong wind and rain battered the Gallagher, making life difficult for both sides.

Maidstone played well against the wind in the first half, despite falling behind, and went on to dominate the second half.

Hayrettin said: "The conditions were very difficult because I was looking at it and I didn’t know what way the wind was going to go at one stage.

"It was difficult for both teams but I thought we controlled and dictated the play a lot better than them.

"We had the ascendancy, especially in the second half, we pinned them back, they didn’t really come into our box or our keeper didn’t have a save to make, but it’s just one of those nights.

"We’re disappointed we didn’t get three points but we’re happy with the performance.

"Could we have done more to win the game? I’m not sure. Maybe a bit more clinical finishing but I thought we played well."

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