Although they had to remain patient, Maidstone United started 2025 with a derby day victory over Welling United and manager George Elokobi was delighted with his team’s performance.

After the game, Stones’ manager George Elokobi said “Excellent team performance. Commanding, controlled. It had all the ingredients of a local derby, grittiness, but more importantly was how we went about it.”

“It was important that we played on the front foot, we played a high energy game, we showed a lot of quality, not just offensively but defensively, We were nice and compact.”

“Another clean sheet, which is important, that’s five in six games, It was important, today, that we started the year on a positive. The players have gone out there today and played a fantastic game and we’ve got three points on the table.”

They came into the game on the back of the news that Antony Papadopoulos had returned to Crawley Town, Matt Rush to Sutton United, and that Mark Bentley had left for America.

Despite that, Elokobi remained upbeat. “That’s why we’ve got a squad” he said. “We spoke about roles and responsibilities. We spoke about accountability, discipline, make sure everyone’s been training hard.”

“The players who have left us have given us their all, they’ve contributed positively and we are grateful for that but more importantly there was an opportunity for other players to step in their shoes and showcase their abilities and their talent.”

“I thought there was plenty to see there. Riley Court was excellent today. He’s come in, young player, but fearless. He has a lot of quality, his work ethics mirrors that of the senior players and that’s why, in games like this, a local derby, we are not scared to play him.”

“It’s important that we look at the group that’s here now and respect what they bring to the environment. It’s all about high standards and making sure when the players go out, they play with freedom based on the work we’ve done in training.”

“They work hard and it’s competitive but respectful and they enjoy training. That’s the most important thing. You see that there on the pitch. Charlie Seaman has to play a different role today and I thought he was terrific as well. Then Aaron Blair doesn’t stop. Goalscorer, proven goalscorer, he’s got us another goal today.” 

He continued: “I thought with the chances we created it could have been more goals. Sometimes you look at derbies in wet conditions and I thought their keeper made some good saves as well but it was our final entry play that pleases us the most.”

“We knew it was going to be a tough game. Welling, they’re fighting for points and they were going to come here and make it difficult for us but I thought we were in control, even when we didn’t have possession and sometimes that’s our strength.”

“We know how to close the pitch, we know how to narrow, we know how to force the opposition to play into our hands. I thought the players executed a fantastic strategy and saw out the game as easily as they could.”

“The defence played really well, they were nice and composed and it’s important that now we stay humble and we get the players recovered fully because we’ve got lots of illnesses in the camp as well so it’s important that the players are looked after and then we can get the players ready for not this Saturday, but the following Saturday.”