Cumbers makes good first impression with Stones faithful - EXCLUSIVE

It’s not every day that Maidstone United fans take to anyone from Gillingham - but maybe that’s changed today, writes Stephen McCartney.

Nineteen-year-old striker, Luis Cumbers was handed his Stones debut today, replacing Errison Ahwan at the break, and went on to score the winning goal of their vital 2-1 win over local rivals Tonbridge Angels at Bourne Park.

The Chelmsford based striker almost scored with his first touch - just TEN SECONDS into his debut - but Angels goalkeeper Matt Reed acrobatically tipped the shot over the crossbar.

But after Tonbridge Angels striker Jon Main netted his sixth goal of the season with nine minutes left, cancelling out Nick Hegley’s eighth minute opener, Cumbers tucked home the winner just three minutes after the leveller, after Reed thwarted Mario McNish’s shot - to gain hero status from Maidstone United’s highest crowd of the season so far.

But Cumbers was delighted that he made a good impression with his new side, especially finding out he was moving to the Ryman Premier League club on the eve of the big west Kent derby.

“It was a bit of a shock when I found out,” Cumbers said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“I only found out Friday morning about coming into Maidstone. The assistant manager down there just came over and said “do you fancy going on loan?

“And I spoke to (Stones joint-manager) Alan Walker and I said “yes” straight away.”

Cumbers is relishing the opportunity in gaining valuable experience playing at first team level.

He said: “It’s a good opportunity to get some experience playing men’s football. I didn’t hesitate coming today, met the lads and had a good time - it was good.”

And he made a good impression during the 45 minutes that he was on the pitch.

“My first touch was a shot on goal. That was a good save. I was unfortunate,” he said.

“I done quite well and then the other one, just fell to me didn’t it, in the six-yard box, so I put it in.

“I felt I should have had another one really but we got the win. It’s a good result.”

Initially with the Stones for a month, in a work experience loan deal from Gillingham, Cumbers admitted he’s going to relish his spell with the Bourne Park club.

“I think at the moment it’s an initial one month deal and depending on how it goes, it could be extended, depending if Maidstone want it, or if Gillingham want it,” he explained.

“Obviously as a footballer, my ambitions are to play as high as I can play.

“At the moment I’m not ready to be playing week in, week out League football so to gain this experience playing men’s football will be good for me physically and may help me in the future.”

Stones next game is against Boreham Wood at Bourne Park on Wednesday night, but living in Essex, Cumbers knows two sides that play against the Stones.

“I know a few of my local teams around where I live, Chelmsford (and) Billericay,” he said.

“I live in Chelmsford so I know a bit about them. They’re not bad teams.

“I know it’s a good league so I didn’t hesitate in coming down.”

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

Maidstone United v Boreham Wood
Ryman Premier League
Wednesday 26^th September 2007
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Bourne Park, Central Park Stadium, Eurolink, Church Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3SB