Alongside The FA Cup, The FA Trophy is right up there, says Maidstone United boss Jay Saunders

MAIDSTONE UNITED manager Jay Saunders says his side must be at the top of their game if they are to beat Wealdstone in The FA Carlsberg Trophy on Saturday.

The Stones (Maidstone United) are presently sitting one point clear at the top of the Ryman Premier League table with ten wins and three draws from fourteen league games.

The Stones (Wealdstone) are presently in sixth-place in the table, having collected seven wins and five draws from thirteen league outings.

Looking forward to the Second Qualifying Round tie at Grosvenor Vale, Saunders said: “They’re a good side. They’re a side full of experience and they’re rightly up there in the league and I think they’ll be up there come the end of the season, so it’s certainly going to be a tough game for us.

“They are beatable at home – I think Margate went there and won 1-0 the other week.

“It’s something that we have to go there and we have to be at our best really.

“When you go to places like that - and you’re playing the top teams in your league - you need to be at your best and if you’re not you come unstuck.”

Maidstone United will welcome Ryman League Division One South side Hythe Town in the Third Round of the Robert Dyas (Ryman League Cup) Third Round on 26 November after beating Herne Bay 2-1 last night.

“It was alright,” said Saunders. 

“It was a good chance for us to give a run out to a few of the younger lads and a few of the ones that have not had minutes lately so I think we made nine changes in total from Saturday.  It was a new side but they did well.

“Herne Bay had the majority of their first team out and to beat them 2-1 was pleasing.”

Striker Jack Harris, 19, an arrival from Tunbridge Wells last Monday, was stretchered off the pitch in only his second game for Maidstone United last night.

Saunders said: “He just fell awkwardly.  He went up for a header and as he landed he just jolted his knee. We hope it’s not too serious but there’s quite a bit of swelling there last night and we’ll have to assess it.

“Fingers crossed it’s not too serious but it did put the damper on the night to be honest.”

Highly-rated Harris scored 51 goals from 112 starts for Tunbridge Wells and Saunders says he will play a major role this season.

Saunders said: “I gave him a run out on Saturday, gave him 25 minutes and he did well when he came on against Enfield.

“I think he’s someone who’s got a good chance to progress. He did well on Saturday and he would have played 90 (minutes) last night and gone from there but I think he’s got every chance to really succeed so hopefully he does.”

Saunders gave a debut to George King – a striker who plays for Kent Football United in the Kent Invicta League – against Herne Bay.

“To be honest he knows one of the lads at the club (Alex Flisher) and he asked if he can come along and train,” explained Saunders.

King, 19, was released by Premier League Manchester City in May 2012, at the same time as Owen Hargreaves.

On the 18^th February 2010, King received an offer that is just a dream for most youngsters when he was handed a two-year scholarship with Manchester City.

He joined Aylesford when he aged six and more than held his own playing in the year above most of the time.

He later progressed to Ebbsfleet United, where he started to get noticed by some of the big clubs.

After a trial at Chelsea and six months at Fulham, he was given his golden opportunity at Manchester City.

King had trials with clubs in The Sky Bet Championship (Sheffield Wednesday) and Sky Bet League One (Brentford and Bristol City) before dropping down to Step Six of the non-league game to play for Sam MacNeil at Crayford-based club Kent Football United.

Saunders said: “He’s been ok in training and I was honest with him and said the best way to look at him was in games. We haven’t got any reserves or under 21 games so I gave him a chance in that (Ryman League Cup game).

“He done ok in spells. It was hard for him and he’s had one training session with us and it’s always tough coming in when you’ve come in and you don’t know people but he did ok in spells.

“I spoke to Sam (MacNeil) the manager at Kent and he said you can let him have a run out because he wants to play higher. He done ok. He’s certainly someone - you can see where he’s been - he’s got ability. We’ll just see how he goes and see what happens really.”

Despite being the highest supported non-league football club in Kent, Saunders admitted it would be nice to have a run in The FA Trophy this season, especially as there’s £3,250 in prize money up for grabs for the winner of Saturday’s game.

Despite the club’s excellent support, Saunders still has to off-load players before he can bring in fresh blood.

“You look at Wealdstone, they made the semi’s a couple of years back,” said Saunders.

“It’s a good chance to have a good run it. If you have run at it you can get the bigger Conference sides and have a bit of luck and get drawn against them.

“I think it’s important. Also for the club’s point of view it’s important for the clubs. It’s extra money for the club.

“It’s always high up there. I think any manager will tell you that. Alongside The FA Cup, The FA Trophy is right up there.”

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

Wealdstone  v  Maidstone United
The FA Carlsberg Trophy Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 2^nd November 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Grosvenor Vale, Ruislip, Middlesex HA4 6JQ