By Bailey Howard
Hornchurch were left with a cruel sense of injustice as Maidstone United snatched a dramatic late winner in stoppage time to win 2-1 , despite a committed and battling performance from the Urchins to which dent the unbeaten home record this season.
Daryl McMahon made 2 changes his side, Nathan Bertram-Cooper replacing Aaron Henry and Makai Welch replacing suspended Josh Hare.
The game got underway and the hosts started the contest with confidence and attacking intent, with the Urchins first real opening arrived on ten minutes. A corner from former Stones man Tom Wraight eventually dropped to Henry Sandat, whose effort flew just wide as Hornchurch threatened to strike first.
Not long after, Maidstone attacked and Arthur Nasta was called into action for the first time. A dangerous cross from Leo Hamblin was met by Riley Court, but Nasta reacted superbly, flinging himself to his left to make an excellent save and keep the scores level.
However, with twenty minutes on the clock, Maidstone broke the deadlock. Another well-delivered cross from Hamblin picked out Sam Corne at the back post, and the defender headed home to put the hosts ahead, 1-0 Maidstone.
Hornchurch responded positively and were back on level terms just nine minutes later as a mix-up in the Maidstone defence allowed Junior Morias to slide Angelo Balanta through on goal, and the forward showed great composure to calmly slot the ball past Nathan Harness, 1–1.
Afterwards, Morias continued to cause problems for the Stones defence and was involved again shortly before the interval. His clever pass released Sandat into space, but Harness produced a superb save to deny Hornchurch a deserved lead going into the break.
Half-Time – Hornchurch 1-1 Maidstone United
The second half opened up with both sides looking to seize control, and Maidstone nearly regained the advantage, when Court worked himself into space and drilled an effort goalwards, only for Nasta to parry the ball away smartly.
Hornchurch had a nervy moment at the back on fifty-eight minutes when Taylor Foran left the ball, but Lexus Beeden showed great awareness and determination to recover with a perfectly timed challenge and clearance to avert danger.
The game began to swing from end to end, with chances at both ends. Harness was forced to stay alert to block another threatening strike from Morias, while at the other end Hornchurch went agonisingly close late on as Wraight fired an effort from just outside the box that flashed inches wide.
As the contest moved into stoppage time, it looked as though the Urchins would earn a well-fought point on the road. But in a cruel twist, Maidstone grabbed the winner with virtually the final action of the match. Substitute John Gilbert sent a cross into the box, which Nasta could only be fouled in the buildup, but then only spill, and Hamzad Kargbo reacted quickest to stab the ball home from close range, which Hornchurch players appealed but the referee wasn’t having any of it, 2-1 Maidstone.
Hornchurch pushed to get a late equaliser, but the final whistle followed shortly after, condemning Hornchurch to a narrow and harsh defeat despite a display full of effort, quality and resilience to earn something from the game.
McMahon’s men will now look to respond quickly in second position as they return to league action on Saturday back at the Bridge in the new year against Salisbury.
Full-Time – Hornchurch 1-2 Maidstone United
Enterprise National League South
Tuesday 30th December 2025, Bridge Avenue
Attendance: 888
