Hume challenges Stones to stay at the summit - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Lloyd Hume believes it’s Maidstone United’s turn to climb to the top of the Ryman League Division One South table, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Stones’ joint-manager can lead his side to the summit if they collect at least a point at Fleet Town’s Calthorpe Park on Tuesday night.

But he warns that the sixth placed Hampshire side will not just surrender the points.

“Well, I think Fleet’s the hardest place to go to in the league and get a win,” Hume said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk on the eve of the big game.

“So far they’re the best side we’ve played in my opinion - I’ve said it all season.

“I know they’ve had a small dip in form but they’ve come out the other side of that and that’s bad news for us.

“We’ve played against them, we know they’re a good footballing side, very well organised and they keep the ball well and we know they go three up front quite a lot.”

Fleet Town, Dulwich Hamlet, Dartford and Dover Athletic have all tasted life at the top of the table but have all failed to stay there - and Hume feels it's his side's turn.

“I got crucified in my first season at Maidstone in the Kent League saying we’ll go unbeaten all season but any of the top six or seven it’s about being consistent and playing to our maximum every week but we know that cannot happen and teams, including us, can drop points.”

Maidstone United go into Tuesday’s clash full on confidence following their 6-0 win over basement boys Corinthian-Casuals at Bourne Park.

The Surrey side have now collected 15 points from their last ten games but remain at the foot of the table - just two points below Kent side Ashford Town - who have 24 points.

“Saturday’s result was a true reflection on the game but they had a player dismissed at 2-0, which I thought was a little harsh.

“We were playing against nine men in the second half (and it) was pretty much keep ball and very boring at that.

“Corinthian Casuals to their credit carried on and I told my players be to professional and treat it as a training session but the most important thing was to keep a clean sheet and not pick up any bookings - Mo Takaloo was booked in the first half.”

What’s also pleasing is that a crowd of 467 flocked through the Bourne Park turnstiles - the marvellous win at Dover Athletic seven days earlier, the club’s league position and run of form, giving Stones fans no excuse not to watch their heroes in action.

“Our position in the league, I’m surprised we’re not getting 500 plus,” said Hume.

“Most people would expect 500 plus through the gate. We’ve got a game tomorrow, we expect to get some run together but I still believe you can lose three more games and potentially win the league.”

The inconsistent nature of this division means Dulwich Hamlet (8 defeats), Maidstone United (6), Hastings United (8), Dartford (9), Dover Athletic (8), Fleet Town (6), Tooting & Mitcham United (7), Leatherhead (9) and Metropolitan Police (8) - all nine points off top spot - all stand a chance, at this moment in time, of winning the league.

“When I won the Southern League before you could only lose six games” recalled Hume.

“Both times, we won on the last day of the season, once lost six (games) and lost seven.

“We’ve played 27 so we’ve got 15 games left. That’s 45 points to play for - a huge amount of points still.

“Any team can put a run together now. We will be in with a very good shout but two months ago anyone who said Maidstone would be in this position would have said it was impossible.

“That run (of two defeats in 15 games) has put us where we are but if we can lose one game between now and the end of the season we’ll win the league but that’s a big ask.”

Big central defender Mario McNish, who missed Saturday’s game due to illness, is likely to start the Fleet Town game on the substitutes bench.

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