Maidstone vs. Latics

19 November 2022

Latics make the trip South to take on Maidstone United in the National League.

David Unsworth’s men come into the game on the back of a difficult run that has seen them lose each of their last four outings across all competitions.

Last time out, Oldham fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Barnet at Boundary Park.

The opposition

This is United’s first season back in the National League.

Last season, they sealed promotion from the National League South, courtesy of clinching the league title.

Prior to that, they had spent three seasons in the fifth tier, with their highest finish being 14th place but a rock bottom finish in the 2018/19 season sealed their fate.

It is the highest level that they have ever competed at with the club also playing in leagues such as the Kent County leagues and the Isthmian League.

They are a relatively new club as they were only founded in 1992 following the forced bankruptcy of the previous club in the town.

Form guide

Last time out, the Stones claimed a much needed league victory as they won 2-0 away at Scunthorpe United.

This put an end to a miserable run of form that had seen them win none of their previous 13 games.

This run includes a disappointing exit in the FA Cup as well. The fourth qualification round saw them depart the competition at the hands of lower league side Needham Market.

Maidstone are currently one point and one place above Latics, however Oldham do have two games in hand on their opposition.

The Stones’ last six

Scunthorpe United 0-2 Maidstone United

Eastleigh 5-2 Maidstone United

Maidstone United 0-0 Solihull Moors

Maidstone United 1-1 Yeovil Town

Maidstone United 0-3 Southend United

Notts County 3-0 Maidstone United

Watch out for

There is no one with more than four goals to their name for the Stones so far this term.

Top scoring so far is Jack Barham, who was on target in their big 2-0 win over Scunthorpe at the weekend.

He came off the bench for the final part of the game and got the all important goal, opening the scoresheet and sending them on the way to pick up three points.

The 26-year-old forward will be looking to add to his tally and kick on when his side welcome Latics to Gallagher Stadium.

Jack Barham - Maidstone United FC

In the dugout

Hakan Hayrettin is the man in the dugout for the hosts.

He has been manager at Gallagher Stadium since April 2020 and was able to lead the club back into the National League at the first time of asking, clinching the National League South title.

Elsewhere, the 52-year-old has managed Waltham Forest, Thurrock, Grays Atheltic and Braintree Town.

Gutted' Maidstone United boss Hakan Hayrettin 'bitterly disappointed' at injury-time Chesterfield defeat | Derbyshire Times

Odds

The hosts are favourites to claim back to back wins at 11/8.

Latics are at 17/10 to win a much needed three points whilst the draw is 23/10.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Maidstone United 0-0 Latics

19 November 2022

Latics created a series of chances but in the end were left frustrated after playing out a draw against Maidstone.

Despite being unable to find a way to goal, manager David Unsworth will take encouragement from the overall performance which saw his side control large periods of the game.

The visitors carried a threat throughout and will probably reflect that they did everything other than score, with several chances in both halves for Timmy Abraham and Sydie Peck in particular.

Abraham and Peck were arguably the brightest performers in a display that saw Latics show good attacking intent, the duo playing prominent parts in taking the game to the hosts whilst also linking well throughout.

Abraham started as the focal point of the attack in a formation which saw Unsworth deploy three players in support, including Peck and Ellis Chapman, the on-loan Cheltenham debutant.

Starting on the left and carrying a threat, Chapman also caught the eye as Latics controlled a large part of the game.

In the end, they were unable to find a route to goal but bright play from the attackers were among a number of pleasing elements to the performance.

On the half-hour, Abraham received the ball from Peck before taking it around goalkeeper Ryan Sandford but as he did so, the striker was unable to retain his balance and his shot was cleared off the goal-line by Jacob Mensah.

Sandford was called into action with increased regularity, producing an excellent reflect save to deny Abraham after good work from Mark Kitching.

Peck also went close and there was added intent from Latics at the start of the second half, the midfielder showing excellent vision as he weaved his way into the area before sending a low shot towards goal, only for it to be blocked.

Peck displayed his technical ability once again with an excellent effort that just cleared the crossbar and landed on the roof of the net after good approach work involving Kitching and Dan Gardner.

Next it was Abraham’s tun to be denied, Sandford diving to his left to deny a well-struck drive from 18 yards as Latics continued to press.

Magnus Norman had to be alert to thwart Sam Corne but that represented a rare moment or worry for Latics, whose back-line was expertly marshalled by Liam Hogan and Peter Clarke, whilst the experience of Kitching, at left-back also in evidence.

As the visitors continued to press for a winner, Abraham’s half-volley called Sandford into action again, and although the breakthrough did nit arrive, the visitors will be pleased that they have a platform to build on.

Oldham Athletic: Norman, Hogan, Maynard, Gardner, Hope, Sheron, Chapman, Kitching, Abraham, Peck, P Clarke.

Subs not used: Leutwiler, Rooney, Okagbue, Couto, Vaughan.

Maidstone United: Sandford, Galvin (Pattisson 56), Fowler, Corne, Mensah, Odusanya, Booty, Fawole (Barham 65), Binnom-Williams, Greenidge, Deacon.

Subs not used: Mersin, Hoyte, Alabi.

Referee: Paul Johnson

Attendance: 2,772 (257 away)

Standings