We owe Worthing one, insists Maidstone United boss Jay Saunders

MAIDSTONE UNITED player-manager Jay Saunders says his side owe Worthing one on Wednesday evening.


The Stones crashed to a 5-1 defeat down at Woodside Road last month and the two sides lock horns at Bourne Park with plenty of play for.

Maidstone United sit in fifth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table with 48 points from 25 games, just one place above Worthing, who have accumulated 47 points, with a game in hand.

“That will be a tough game to be honest but we owe them one after we went down there,” said Saunders.

“I know we lost 5-1 but it wasn’t a fair reflection on the game as we had a man sent off and that affected us.

“We’re on the back of three wins and a draw in the last four games and we go into the game full of confidence – we’ve lost to a heavy scoreline and we want to put it right.  I’m sure the boys will be up for it on Wednesday night!”

Saunders said he was pleased with a point gained from their 1-1 draw at Godalming Town at the weekend.

“To be honest on reflection, a point was probably a fair result,” he said.

“It’s not a bad point. A lot of people have come unstuck down there. They’re a big side, well organised side and they test you.  I thought they were a decent side when they came to Bourne Park earlier on in the season.

“I thought we could have gone on and won the game but you’d take a point away from home.”

The Stones then welcome third-from-bottom side Burgess Hill Town to Bourne Park on Saturday – but Saunders is expecting yet another tough game.

“It’s funny, every game in this league is tough,” he said. “I know everyone says that.  I’ve never known a league like it.  You saw Whitehawk lose to Sittingbourne on Saturday.  It does happen.

“I think it’s consistency. The teams who turn up with the right attitude and do the right things go on a run and do well.

“We’ll treat them the same as we treat Worthing. We’ll give it 100%.  Burgess Hill won on Saturday so it will be a tough game.  It’s about getting that consistency and doing the right things.”

Bearsted-based Saunders, meanwhile, cannot wait for the club’s emotional and long-awaited homecoming, which will see Charlton Athletic visit Whatman Way on Saturday 14 July 2012.

He said: “I can’t believe it.  Obviously it’s brilliant what’s happening with the club.  There’s a whole buzz around the club that we’re finally coming back!”

“It’s great news for Maidstone, not just the football club but the whole town.  If we can keep pushing for promotion or the play-off’s then it keeps everyone excited and keeps the crowds coming.

“I used to go and watch Maidstone when I was a kid. I had all the kits.  It’s a privilege to be the manager of my home-town club.

“Hopefully I’ve still got the job for that first game against Charlton – it will be a big moment not just for myself but the whole town.”

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

Maidstone United  v  Worthing
Ryman League Division One South
Wednesday 11^th January 2012
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Bourne Park, Central Park Stadium, Eurolink Industrial Estate, Church Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3SB