On the back of Maidstone United’s 2-1 victory over Torquay United, adding to the Stones’ 3-2 win in Devon back in September, the Stones’ manager Jay Saunders admitted “they are all big games now.”
“I’ve said in the press that if we could get the win today it would draw Torquay back into the mix, and get us out of the bottom four. I think it was important, we needed that. I think we made very hard work of it, but I’m delighted to get the three points.”
“We should have been out of sight really (Saunders had just found out that Maidstone totalled 13 shot on target, 10 off and more blocked by defenders) and within the first fifteen minutes we should have been two up. But that’s us at the moment. We don’t seem to be taking the chances and make hard work of it.”
“They’ve had one real chance along with some good delivery from set pieces, but one long ball down the field and we’ve been caught out. I was pleased with the performance and thought there was a very good energy in the team, and if we can keep creating these chances, we’ll win more games than we lose.”
Maidstone’s victory came courtesy of goals from Delano Sam-Yorke, his first for the club since arriving on loan from Woking, and, after Brett Williams had lobbed an equaliser over Lee Worgan, through a second of the season for midfielder Jack Paxman.
A penalty save from skipper Worgan ensured the Stones maintained their lead, which would have been extended on numerous occasions if it hadn’t been for Torquay custodian, Brendan Moore.
The Maidstone team has been constantly evolving over the season, as Saunders has added experience in the form of former Ebbsfleet midfielder Stuart Lewis, Bromley loanee Reece Prestedge, ex-Norwich winger Jamar Loza in addition to Sam-Yorke.
The Stones’ boss said “I normally say to Nick (assistant manager Nicky Southall) about how young we are, but looking round the team today there was almost everybody had played at this level or higher previously. It’s the first time we’ve had real experience in there this year, taking nothing away from the young lads, but it is nice to have that in there.”
“I thought Stuart Lewis, who only met the boys on Thursday, added a real energy and bite to the midfield alongside Reece (Prestedge), which allowed Pax (Jack Paxman) a little more licence to go forward. I also thought Delano (Sam-Yorke) was a real handful and took his goal really well, but I’ve said to the guys that I couldn’t really single anyone out today, it was a real team performance.”
Saunders wasn’t happy about either the goal Maidstone conceded, or the later penalty incident and explained “Ach (Anthony Acheampong) said he thought their guy had slipped, but I’d have to take another look at it. The same for the first goal, I thought Jamie should deal with it, but I’ll take a look later.”
“But to be honest, we should have dealt with that earlier. We’ve had two shots saved by the keeper to make it 3-1 and we’ve been caught as they’ve broken on us. You always fancy Lee in those situations. He’s got a good record for us, but I’m more pleased that he saved it as I think it would have been a travesty if we hadn’t got the three points. For large parts of the game we dominated, and I think we got what we deserved.”
“The spirit has been good in the camp. Given where we are, the boys haven’t got too down and I think the new players coming in have given a real lift.”