We've got two massive games coming up now, says Maidstone United boss Jay Saunders

MAIDSTONE UNITED manager Jay Saunders says he wants a vocal following for their derby against former landlords Sittingbourne on Easter Saturday.




The Stones brought at least 400 supporters with them for their top-of-the-table clash away to Dulwich Hamlet in midweek.

Dulwich Hamlet roared into the lead within the opening three minutes thanks to Nyren Clunis’ stunning volley, which curled into the top far corner, before Daniel Carr had a penalty saved well by Stones’ keeper Deren Ibrahim just before half-time.

But the pulsating clash finished all-square after Ade Olorunda stabbed the ball into the back of the net after injured Dulwich Hamlet keeper Phil Wilson had parried a shot from Ian Draycott across the goalmouth with nine minutes left.

Maidstone United remain three points clear at the top of the Ryman League Division One South table and they return to Bourne Park on Saturday to play former landlords Sittingbourne, before welcoming Ramsgate to The Gallagher Stadium on Easter Monday.

Saunders said: “The fans are absolutely brilliant! I’ve said all season I don’t think the fans realise how much the boys appreciate their support and how much difference it makes.

”They really gave us a lift, especially when we scored that goal.  The atmosphere was electric and they pushed us on at the end and gave the boys that extra energy to try and get the winner.”

Sittingbourne were flirting with the play-off’s but presently lie in tenth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table, with 51 points from 34 games, six points adrift of fifth-placed Folkestone Invicta.

”Sittingbourne are having a great season to be fair to Jim and Danny (Ward) down there,” said Saunders.

”They’ve got them well organised, they’re a good side, a young side.

”It’s a tough place to go. What we have to do is go there with the right attitude and play with the effort we gave on Tuesday night against a top-of-the-table side.”

Maidstone United then welcome Tim Dixon’s Ramsgate on Easter Monday.  The Rams presently sit in sixth-place in the table, only a point adrift of Neil Cugley’s side, so there’s plenty to play for this Easter.

”We’ve got two massive games coming up now. Sittingbourne, which we will concentrate on first and then Ramsgate.

”I think there’s a few twists and turns to come (in the title race). All I’ve said to the lads if you give me that effort and work rate until the end of the season, we won’t be far off.”

Meanwhile, former Maidstone United defender Ryan Royston has today signed for Kent League side Lordswood.

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

Sittingbourne  v  Maidstone United
Ryman League Division One South
Easter Saturday 30 March 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Bourne Park, Central Park Stadium, Eurolink Industrial Estate, Church Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3SB