Ramsgate will be a tough game, warns Stones boss Jay Saunders

MAIDSTONE UNITED player-manager Jay Saunders says he is expecting a tough game against Kent rivals Ramsgate at Bourne Park on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Stones leapfrogged over Dulwich Hamlet to the top the Ryman League Division One South table following their 4-2 home win over Godalming Town last night.

Ramsgate arrive at Bourne Park fresh from their 3-2 win over Folkestone Invicta 24 hours earlier and Rams boss Jim Ward said earlier in the week that wins over their two Kent rivals’ will improve his side’s chances of climbing the table, yet putting a dent in their rivals’ aspirations.

“Ramsgate will be a tough game,” said Saunders.  “Against any side that Jim Ward puts out you know you’re in for a tough game.

“They’ll come here and want to prove a point.  But there are a lot of teams who we play like that and we’ve just got to prepare right, do the right things on the day and we should be ok!”

Saunders added: “I went down to watch them on Tuesday night and they are a good side.  They’ve just bought Ian Pulman who is a good finisher, Mark Lovell is scoring goals and I know quite a few of their lads’.

Goalkeeper Charlie Mitten, meanwhile, is rated doubtful after injuring his hip last night.

Saunders said: “Obviously we’ll have to see how Charlie is.  I’d say he’s doubtful, but Charlie’s old enough now that he knows if his body is right or not.  It’s a hip problem and we’ll have to see how he is tomorrow.  We might have to see what’s available if we look for a loan, but if we are going to do something, we’ve got to do it quick.””

Having just completed his first full match of the season, Saunders admitted, “It’s been frustrating for me this year.  I’ve never really had injuries in my career and it’s been a bit stop-start, but we’ve been winning games.  If I’d put myself back in and we’d gone one down it wouldn’t look too good, but I felt alright today.””

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

Maidstone United  v  Ramsgate
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 12^th November 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Bourne Park, Central Park Stadium, Eurolink Industrial Estate, Church Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3SB