Stones prepare for their eight "cup-finals"

MAIDSTONE UNITED go into their Easter period fixtures with two key players suspended, plus injury concerns for two more.

Lee Shearer misses the next two games due to suspension, whilst Rob Owen will miss Saturday's home game with Chelmsford, but will be available on Monday for the clash at East Thurrock.

On the injuries front, Mark Saunders has a suspected broken thumb, but the swelling around the injury means a further x-ray is required to confirm this.

Managers Lloyd Hume and Alan Walker will make a further assessment of how things stand after training tonight and the results of the second x-ray before making a decision on his availability.

There is also a question mark over whether Andy Pugh will be able to extend his loan with the club for a further month and the club were awaiting a decision from Gillingham as to whether he will be able to join the squad on Saturday.

But Stones skipper Ben Lewis has acknowledged his team’s improved performance following a dramatic 2-1 win at Harlow Town last weekend.

A 94^th minute winner from Saunders secured three vital points, which moved the club out of the Ryman Premier League drop zone.

However, the league remains extremely tight and it will be a fight to the finish.

Speaking to www.maidstoneunited.co.uk , Lewis said: "Last week I urged the team to step up a gear and they came good. With the teams around us winning, the league is on a knife-edge and we've got to battle to the finish to stay in this league.

"The supporters were fantastic and the volume when the winner went in, up until the final whistle, was great. We need this level of encouragement over the coming weeks.”

Looking ahead to the visit of league leaders Chelmsford City, Lewis added: "The Chelmsford match this weekend will be a tough test but we've got a point to prove after the away fixture. We'll go into the match confident and determined to show what we're capable of."

Joint-boss Walker, also speaking to www. Is pleased that his recent signings have impressed as the club aim to climb the table.

“We've brought in some key signings over the past couple of weeks and it's been great to see the impact they have had on the squad.

“We obviously knew about the upcoming suspension of Lee Shearer and coupled with the departure of (Errison) Ahwan, we were able to bring in Marc Clarey.

“He's a raw talent who needs some fine tuning, but he is strong, quick and an honest lad who works hard and has a great attitude towards the game.

“His addition to the squad has also been welcome particularly with Ben Lewis playing through the pain barrier every week with his ongoing back problems which has restricted his ability to train.

“We have also brought in two vastly experienced players in the form of Mark Saunders and Ian Selley and after just two games it's clear to see the quality they have brought to the squad.

“Mark Saunders brings a lot of experience for us in going forward and on Saturday he had countless occasions when in got on to the end of balls in the box.

“Ian Selley has an excellent attitude towards the game given his playing career and having played at the very top of the game. He's tenacious in his tackling and the quality of his passing is giving us a lot more options in the way we play, last week he showed great vision with a 30 yard pass to Mark Saunders and all three have given the squad the confidence to show we can make it to safety this season.”

And on Chelmsford’s visit to Bourne Park, Walker said: “Saturday is going to be a big challenge for us, particularly after the result at the start of the season.

“But as always, I am expecting the players to give 100% and that's all you can ask. Logic says they have a strong squad with a lot of experience at a higher level, but we two have some quality in our squad not least Selley and Saunders so we should have no fear of them.

“As for our position in the league, the players have shown great character to lift us out of the relegation zone and knowing that we have to still play a lot of games against teams that are around us means that every game now must be treated like a cup final.

“The squad have shown over the last two seasons they have the bottle and the character to cope with the pressures of a title run in, now I'm sure they will show a different sort of character to enable us to get the points which will keep us in this division.”

With a big crowd expected, Walker urges the Stones faithful to continue the excellent support they gave at Harlow next weekend.

He said: “Finally, your support has been outstanding over the last two games which is no doubt a response to the character the players have shown in giving their all in trying to get to safety. There is no doubt that the players respond when they have the crowd behind them and perform a lot better and we hope that will continue.”

STONES EASTER PROGRAMME:

Easter Saturday, 22^nd March 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
Maidstone United v Chelmsford City
At Bourne Park, Central Park, Eurolink, Church Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3SB

Easter Monday, 24^th March 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
East Thurrock United v Maidstone United
At Rookery Hill, Corringham, Stanford-Le-Hope, Essex SS17 9LB

Quotes courtesy of www.maidstoneunited.co.uk