National League – South · National League South – 15 · Gallagher Stadium
Hanson Late Strike Seals Vital Win for Stones at Gallagher Stadium
Maidstone United produced a determined and ultimately rewarding performance at the Gallagher Stadium on Saturday, coming from behind in the second half to defeat Slough Town 2-1 in the National League South. A late strike from R. Hanson proved the decisive moment, sending the home faithful into delight and delivering three precious points on a Halloween afternoon in Kent.
First Half: Charles Opens the Scoring
The Stones made the brighter start and were rewarded for their endeavour just before the interval. On 38 minutes, K. Charles broke the deadlock to put Maidstone United 1-0 ahead, giving the home side a deserved lead to carry into the break. It was a moment that settled the nerves around the Gallagher Stadium and suggested the afternoon was shaping up nicely for the hosts. Slough Town, to their credit, remained organised and showed enough quality to suggest they would not simply roll over in the second half.
Second Half: Slough Level Before Hanson Wins It
Whatever Slough Town’s management said at half-time clearly had an effect. Within three minutes of the restart, R. Shakpoke drew the visitors level, making it 1-1 and silencing the home crowd. It was a swift and well-taken equaliser that shifted the momentum firmly in Slough’s favour and forced Maidstone to regroup. The Stones found themselves having to dig deep, and for a spell the outcome looked uncertain as Slough grew in confidence.
However, Maidstone United showed the character that has defined their campaign, continuing to press and probe in search of a winner. Their persistence was rewarded with eight minutes remaining when R. Hanson stepped up to restore the lead, making it 2-1 and sparking jubilant scenes around the ground. It was a goal that encapsulated everything admirable about this Maidstone side — resilience, quality at the right moment, and a refusal to settle for a share of the spoils.
Man of the Match
While the match featured contributions from across the Maidstone squad, R. Hanson was the standout performer on the day. The match-winner’s decisive intervention in the closing stages was the moment that separated the two sides, and his ability to produce when it mattered most marked him out as the individual who made the difference. In a tightly contested encounter where Slough had threatened to take something from the game, Hanson’s composure and quality proved to be the defining factor. It was a performance that will live long in the memory of those who made the trip to the Gallagher Stadium.
A Clean and Competitive Affair
Notably, the match was played in a sporting spirit throughout, with no cautions issued to players from either side. Both teams competed with intensity but kept the contest within the boundaries of fair play, a credit to the players involved on both sides.
What It Means for the Stones
The victory keeps Maidstone United firmly in the hunt at the top of the National League South. The Stones currently sit third in the table on 26 points from 14 matches played, with a record of 8 wins, 2 draws and 4 defeats. Above them, Ebbsfleet United lead the division on 28 points from 12 played, with Truro City second on 27 points from 13 matches. Salisbury sit fourth on 25 points, while fellow Kent side Tonbridge Angels occupy fifth on 24 points from 14 played. With the play-off places very much in their sights, every home victory at the Gallagher Stadium carries enormous weight, and Saturday’s hard-fought success will have done plenty for confidence and momentum as the season continues to develop.
Match timeline
38′ ⚽ K. Charles
48′ ⚽ R. Shakpoke- 82′ ⚽ R. Hanson
Where Maidstone United sit in National League – South
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ebbsfleet United | 12 | 8 | 4 | 0 | +22 | 28 |
| 2 |  Truro City | 13 | 8 | 3 | 2 | +12 | 27 |
| 3 | Maidstone Utd | 14 | 8 | 2 | 4 | +7 | 26 |
| 4 |  Salisbury | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | +14 | 25 |
| 5 |  Tonbridge Angels | 14 | 7 | 3 | 4 | +12 | 24 |
Match data via api-football. Lineups, stats, ratings and league standings sourced live from the official feed at the time of publication.