Maidstone United 1 Hornchurch 0 match report: Temi Eweka’s early header settles National League South clash at the Gallagher Stadium

Maidstone continued their unbeaten run in National League South with a win over Hornchurch that was far more comfortable than the scoreline suggests.

Centre-half Temi Eweka’s early header was enough to earn the points but the hosts dominated in an impressive display and should have won by a few goals.

One was enough, however, and they’re now seven games unbeaten in the league since losing to Chelmsford at the start of September.

Maidstone were unchanged from the side who drew at Dorking with 10 men in midweek, with defender Reiss Greenidge available before his ban kicks in at Torquay on Tuesday.

The hosts made a flying start at the Gallagher, threatening to overrun a Hornchurch who didn’t know what had hit them.

George Elokobi’s side took the lead in just the fifth minute after Aaron Blair and Jon Benton combined well to win a corner.

Ben Brookes took it and his outswinger was headed home by centre-back Eweka for his third goal of the season.

United were celebrating again two minutes later with Benton firing home after an Eweka shot was blocked following Brookes’ long throw but this time the linesman’s flag went up for offside. For no obvious reason, looking at the replay.

Some of Maidstone’s attacking play was a joy to watch as Hornchurch struggled to clear their heads, the little combinations between Blair and Benton and support out wide from Antony Papadopoulos and Charlie Seaman causing plenty of problems.

Benton went close after linking up with Blair, a touch off a defender taking his shot past the post.

And when Sam Corne, George Fowler, Tayt Trusty and Benton combined to feed Blair, his ball across the six-yard box just evaded the onrushing Papadopoulos.

Hornchurch substitute Darren McQueen, an early replacement