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Maidstone United manager George Elokobi says killer instinct missing in goalless draw with 10-man Chelmsford City

George Elokobi felt Maidstone lacked the killer instinct to beat Chelmsford on Monday night.

The Stones were held to a goalless draw by a Clarets side who had striker Jordan Greenidge sent off before half-time.

Chelmsford double up to stop Maidstone midfielder Bivesh Gurung in his tracks. Picture: Steve Terrell
Chelmsford double up to stop Maidstone midfielder Bivesh Gurung in his tracks. Picture: Steve Terrell

They couldn’t make their extra man count in testing conditions at Melbourne Park which hit the match as a spectacle.

Elokobi’s men had the wind behind them in the second half but a disciplined Chelmsford defence kept them at bay.

“It’s a point in the right direction but two points dropped given the circumstances,” said the Stones boss after his side climbed to second place in National League South, with all their title rivals in action tonight.

“The conditions were difficult for both teams - that’s not an excuse.

“I know they were down to 10 men. We controlled territory, we controlled possession but again we lacked that killer instinct.

“We’ve been to places like this and managed the conditions better.

“It’s taken that individual brilliance to get us goals but you’ve got to give credit to Chelmsford, they defended resiliently.

Aaron Blair takes on former Maidstone defender Paul Appish at Melbourne Park on Monday night. Picture: Steve Terrell
Aaron Blair takes on former Maidstone defender Paul Appish at Melbourne Park on Monday night. Picture: Steve Terrell

“I thought we could have made one more pass when we got in the final third but we were just rushing things a little bit.

“We have to find a way of penetrating reams. If we can’t over the top, which the conditions weren’t favourable, then we get the ball down and we try to penetrate around them or through.

“I wasn’t happy with our forwards, they didn’t make enough runs, enough movements for one another. It was kind of hit and hope.

“I know the conditions weren’t favourable, however, we’ve got to play to our strengths and we didn’t quite do that.”

Report: Chelmsford 0-0 Maidstone

Maidstone handed first starts to loan signings Ricardo German and Baylin Johnson in attack, with Sol Wanjau-Smith and Shaq Coulthirst dropping to the bench among four changes.

Elokobi needs time on the training ground to integrate the new lads into his style of play as United, beaten 2-1 by Worthing on Saturday, look to rediscover their edge in attack.

“It’s important we get them to understand our principles and the players get used to them,” said the manager, as Maidstone prepare to host title rivals Torquay this Saturday.

Maidstone defender Temi Eweka attacks a ball at the back post during the goalless draw at Chelmsford. Picture: Steve Terrell
Maidstone defender Temi Eweka attacks a ball at the back post during the goalless draw at Chelmsford. Picture: Steve Terrell

“They have to get up to speed with our rhythm, and myself, Craig (Fagan, assistant manager) and Zach (Foster-Crouch, head of recruitment) will help them them to settle in.

“It was important we gave them minutes.

“We’ve got a clear week to work on stuff back at the training ground and make sure we put the wrongs right in terms of what we’ve not been doing in the final third.

“When we create half-chances, we need to take them.

“Sometimes the ball was dropping in areas where I thought we could have gambled and been on the front foot and we were just holding back. We weren’t as positive as I want us to be.

“It’s kind of understandable when you’ve lost on Saturday and the players are playing again 48 hours later, and against a good side.

“We have to take all the positives and see where that takes us going into the weekend.”

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