Chipstead make you work hard to get anything down there, says Stones boss Jay Saunders

MAIDSTONE UNITED player-manager Jay Saunders says the door is always open for home-grown talent to make the first team.


Jack Parkinson’s youth side thrashed Redhill 13-0 in the FA Youth Cup Preliminary Round last night, thanks to goals from Kaiyne Woolery, Charley Robertson (2), Sam Norton (4), Jack Sullivan, Rob Pratt, Martin Remess, Taylor McDonagh and Dan Johnson (2).

Saunders said: “I was down there watching.  Jack’s boys did well.  I know he’s got a few good players down there and we let Kaiyne Woolery play in it because he’s still legible to play in that competition.

“It was good to watch, they’re a good side. It was interesting.

“Obviously a lot of those lads are only sixteen. I’m aware of them. I watch the youth team and reserves when I can and I keep in touch with Jack and (reserve team manager) Jim Bodle and it’s good to know we’ve got good players like that coming through.

“Even if you get one or two coming through a season that’s good.  You only have to look at Tom Mills and Alex Flisher, who have come through the youth team and they’re regulars in the first team, if we get players like that, it’s a massive bonus for us.”

Maidstone United, who have been tipped as favourites to win the Ryman League Division One South title this season, haven’t started like a house on fire and lie in eighth-place with six points from four games.

The Stones travel to Chipstead on Saturday, a side that are one place below them in the table with the same number of points, in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round, with £3,000 in prize money up for grabs.

Looking ahead to their trip to Surrey, Saunders said: “No doubt it will be a tough game, it normally is down there.   They make you work hard to get anything down there. It will be a tough one but we’re looking forward to it.

“Sometimes it’s a nice break from the league and a few quid in the chairman’s pocket if we win, which I’m sure he’ll be pleased with.

“Hopefully we can go up there Saturday and pick up another win.

“You want to win any game, whether it will be League, FA Cup or Trophy.  We treat them all the same and try to win. To have a Cup run is always nice, good for the players, supporters’ and the club.

“It brings in a bit of money, which every club appreciates. I want to do well in the Cup because it’s extra advertising for the club as people see if you’re having a good Cup run, a few rungs down the line you could pick out a big club.”

Reflecting on their league campaign to date, the Stones midfielder said: “It’s early days at the end of the day. It’s early and after losing the first game (5-4 at home to Walton & Hersham) and winning at Whitstable, I was confident we could go on a little run and we came unstuck at Worthing, but we were missing a few players. I’m not making excuses, we were missing some wide players and it cost us a little bit.

“We had options on Saturday and we put in a good performance against Corinthian-Casuals. It’s early days and we have to build on that on Saturday.”

Visit Maidstone United’s website: www.maidstoneunited.co.uk  

Chipstead  v  Maidstone United
The FA Cup with Budweiser First Qualifying Round
Saturday 8^th September 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at High Road, Chipstead, Surrey CR5 3SF