Maidstone United manager George Elokobi says his side made it easy for Hampton & Richmond in 5-2 National League South defeat

George Elokobi said Maidstone got what they deserved after their 5-2 hammering at Hampton & Richmond.

The Stones boss saw his side suffer a first defeat since September 5 after a defensive horror show at the Beveree.

It came out of the blue, with the visitors conceding just two goals in their previous seven National League South games.

Elokobi felt Maidstone made things easy for their opponents as fellow form side Hampton scored four times from headers - including a hat-trick for Mason Bloomfield.

Two corners and a free-kick saw the hosts lead 3-2 at the break and Bloomfield completed his treble after meeting a cross before Hampton added their fifth from the penalty spot.

“It’s football,” said Elokobi, whose side have dropped a place to sixth following their first loss in 13 league and cup games.

“I’ve been in football a long time and I know how it goes.

“We’ve been tremendous up to this point, this game, but Hampton aren’t a bad side and we’ve got to give credit to them.

“They wanted it more, they were hungry, they wanted to win the first phases and the big man, Bloomfield, was unplayable.

“Our boys need to learn how to defend our box and defend properly, and that’s something we have been doing.

“We need to make sure we defend the first phases and be aggressive but we didn’t quite have the aggression for some reason or the other.

“It’s down to the players on the pitch - if the ball comes into your area, can you win it?

“Can we win the first phase and not let someone have a hat-trick of headers against us?

“We got what we deserved because we didn’t deal with the set-pieces and that’s been the difference.

“We controlled the game well at times but it’s about making sure when those crosses come into our box, you defend