We won't have a big squad like last year, says Maidstone United boss Jay Saunders

MAIDSTONE UNITED boss Jay Saunders says he was pleased with the performances from his players when they defeated Tunbridge Wells in their opening game last night.


The promoted Stones began their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 home win over Martin Larkin’s side at The Gallagher Stadium.

Trialist Leon McKenzie gave Maidstone United the lead, before last season’s FA Vase finalists equalised courtesy of Jerome Sobers’ own-goal two minutes before the break.

Frannie Collin, who has arrived from Tonbridge Angels, opened his goalscoring account for his new club on his debut to win it for the home club.

“It was a good work out. I think it was exactly what we needed,” said Saunders.

“I put out two teams so we only had three training sessions so I thought it was too early to give everyone more than 45 minutes.  They had a good blow. 

“I knew Tunbridge Wells would try and play the right way. It was a good game. It was at a good pace and exactly what we needed.”

Maidstone United awarded their winning goal to Collin, although Charley Robertson is also staking claim to his first goal for the first team.

Saunders was asked who he thinks should be awarded the goal.

He replied: “I’d prefer to give it to young Charley Robertson, but Frannie is a centre forward!  You know what they’re like. He’s claiming it!

“From where I was I didn’t see it.  Aaron Gayle put in a good cross and Charley’s done well to get something on it. It’s hit the bar and Frannie did what all strikers do and followed it in just to make sure.

“I’d like to say I’d give it to Charley but I’m sure Frannie will have other ideas!”

Saunders utilised 21 players – including a number of youngsters - against the Southern Counties East Football League outfit with former Tonbridge Angels keeper Lee Worgan getting 90 minutes under his belt.

“We had a good mixture of trailists and young academy lads and a couple from last years’ reserves and it was pleasing,” said Saunders.

“I thought there were some good performances. Big Leon McKenzie scored and was a big handful first half. Also in the first half we had Jack Sullivan and Dan Parkinson who did well.

“Second half we had Aaron Gayle on and he did well up front and set up the second goal and a few others.  Orlando Smith and a couple of academy lads and Charley Robertson and Danny Walder as well. 

“We mixed them right up so we didn’t have a first team first half and second half trialists.  I was pleased no-one let themselves down. It was good.”

Maidstone United up their pre-season campaign with a visit from Championship club Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

The Valley club won the Kent Senior Cup (sponsored by Portablefloodlights.com) last season when their development side thrashed Tonbridge Angels 7-1 at Longmead Stadium in the final.

“It will be a tough one,” warned Saunders.  “At this stage it’s just fitness really.

“Don’t get me wrong. I said to them last night it’s all about fitness.  Every game you’re involved in you want to win because winning breads right habits and you do the right things when you’re winning because you’re enjoying it and playing well.

“I think Charlton will be a similar case when we played Brighton last year. They’ll keep the ball well and I said to the lads last night, half an hour in both halves last night we kept the ball well and probably the last fifteen minutes a little bit of tiredness crept in and we gave it away cheaply.

“I said to them, if you give it away against a quality side against Charlton, you won’t see the ball for 10 minutes and then you might find yourselves a couple down like what happened against Brighton (when we lost 5-0 on our homecoming).

“We’ll enjoy it. It is fitness. People will get a lot longer. It won’t be two teams. It will be a lot smaller squad. It will be a good experience. Hopefully a good crowd and a good day.”

Saunders, meanwhile, says he is giving his trialsits’ a chance to make the final cut ahead of the club’s return to the Ryman Premier League.

“At the moment, I think we’ve got, I’m probably looking at 18 around that sort of number, maybe slightly bigger, but we’ll see. It depends on budget and things like that,” Saunders said.

“We won’t have a big squad like last year. I did have a big squad. I felt we needed it with a bit more experience and we’ve gone a big younger this year.

“We’ve added a bit more quality and that’s no disrespect to the boys that we’re here last year, but I think we’ve added some real quality and we can’t have too big a squad and I hope we stay injury free.

“There’s a few of the trialists’ that have really impressed me and it’s something that we’re looking at.”

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

Maidstone United  v  Charlton Athletic
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 13^th July 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
at The Gallagher Stadium, James Whatman Way, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1LQ