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Reaction from Maidstone United manager George Elokobi following 1-1 draw with Hemel Hempstead in National League South

George Elokobi had no complaints with the result after Maidstone conceded late against Hemel Hempstead.

The Tudors equalised in the sixth minute of added time following a lengthy break in play after visiting forward Michael Folivi was injured in a clash of heads.

Stones substitute Manny Duku in action at the Gallagher. Picture: Helen Cooper
Stones substitute Manny Duku in action at the Gallagher. Picture: Helen Cooper

Hemel were on top before the delay and picked up where they left off, with George Williams cancelling out Sam Bone’s first-half opener for the Stones.

A 1-1 draw saw Maidstone drop a place to fourth in National League South but boss Elokobi took the outcome in his stride.

“There’s no heartbreak,” he said.

“Every game is difficult and poses different challenges to us.

“In the first half we created so many chances - we’ve got to take them - and in the second half we didn’t quite control possession.

“We gave it away cheaply and it gives the opposition a boost.

Maidstone forward Matt Rush plots a path to goal. Picture: Helen Cooper
Maidstone forward Matt Rush plots a path to goal. Picture: Helen Cooper

“But I thought at the end a point was a fair result and we’ve got to take it and move on.”

Maidstone started the second half well, with Matt Rush forcing a good save after combining with Lamar Reynolds on the counter.

But they allowed Hemel into the game and it was no surprise when they levelled.

“We’ve got to learn from how we played that second half and make sure we help our players,” said Elokobi.

“In moments of the game, we’ve got to make sure can we keep maintaining possession, can we be brave enough to keep the ball moving?

Report: Maidstone 1-1 Hemel Hempstead

“We caught them on the counter, I think with Lamar and Matt Rush, and it was a good save from the keeper.

“But apart from that, I can’t remember too many times in the second half where we’ve created another chance to try and capitalise on.”

Maidstone were looking for a third home win in a week after beating league big boys Yeovil and Torquay.

Reiss Greenidge chases down a loose ball. Picture: Helen Cooper
Reiss Greenidge chases down a loose ball. Picture: Helen Cooper

They got their noses in front with Bone’s deflected effort inside the box but couldn’t hold on.

“I’m just disappointed,” said goalscorer Bone. “It’s two completely different halves.

“First half, we had really good possession and hurt them at times and then in the second half we might as well have been camped on our six-yard box.

“It’s frustrating but we’ve been on a good run recently and it’s important we put this behind us.”

Bone sent his best wishes to Folivi after he was stretchered off and taken to hospital.

“I hope he’s all right,” he said. “It looked quite nasty from where I was, so I hope everything’s OK with him.”

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