Winner takes all in Ryman race

Kent giants Maidstone United and Dover Athletic are doing everything they possibly can to ensure they clinch the Ryman League Division One South title on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Leaders Maidstone United must win their game at Walton Casuals, a side unbeaten in their last five games, to emulate Ramsgate’s excellent achievement last season, by winning back-to-back championships to zoom from Kent League to Ryman Premier League in just two seasons.

But if the Stones slip up, and second placed Tooting & Mitcham United feel the heat too and lose at Ashford Town, then Dover Athletic will grab the title on the last day of the season by beating Horsham YMCA at Crabble.

Saturday is a vital day for the top five clubs in this division as play-off places will be settled by 5pm.

As we stand at the moment, Tooting & Mitcham United will expect to welcome Hastings United to Imperial Fields next week, whilst Dover Athletic will have home advantage over Fleet Town - but with only three points separating these sides, a lot can still happen in the last ninety minutes of the league season.

But Maidstone United are no strangers to needing a final day win to secure a league title.

Last season their 4-0 win at Sevenoaks Town ensured they pipped Beckenham Town to the Kent League title, as Beckenham were held to a draw at Erith & Belvedere.

This time around, joint-manager Alan Walker believes his side will secure their 23^rd and most vital league win of the season at Franklyn Road.

“Well, here we are going into the final game knowing that victory will secure the championship and promotion to the Ryman Premier Division and I have to say that Lloyd (Hume) and myself are very, very confident that the boys will do it for us and in fact I can see us winning quite comfortably on Saturday,” Walker told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk.

Chairman Mr Paul Bowden-Brown is laying on coach travel so the team can arrive in style.

“The chairman is doing his bit to help and gone to great expense of hiring a coach for us to travel up and arrive there as a team,” revealed Walker.

“The spirit in the came is the best it has been all season and there is certainly no need to motivate any of the players going into this game.

“There is no greater incentive for a player that winning a championship medal particularly in front of a fanatical and jubilant crowd.

“Many of our players will recall the scenes at Sevenoaks last season and Lloyd and myself certainly feel that we will recreate those scenes at Walton Casuals on Saturday.”

The Stones management team, however, have been in these situations before, as Walker explained: “It’s a situation myself and Lloyd have been in many times before, not only last season but also at Fisher and we also know how well our squad performs on these big occasions.

“You only have to look at this season and the wins over Chelmsford, Dover and Dartford to see that.

“I have to say had we gone into this game needing a draw, but needing to win means it’s like a cup final for us, and whilst there’s no doubt Walton will do everything they can to finish in a high, I believe our motivation will be greater to win.”

The Stones go into this game on the back of a 1-1 draw at Ashford Town, and Tooting & Mitcham United will find out on Saturday, what a good side the Homelands outfit are.

“Over the last two games we’ve seen the re-emergence of the side that got us into this position in the first place and we’re playing football at the standard we expect them to, with loads of commitment and desire,” said Walker.

And with Stones fans flocking in their hundreds to Franklyn Road on Saturday, Walker knows their support is crucial.

“But what has also helped is the absolutely magnificent support we have received from the fans, particularly on Tuesday night where we were just unlucky giving away the equaliser.

“Saturday I’m sure will be even better and once again your support will have a huge impact in lifting the players and we look forward going one better than our final day celebrations of last season!”

Whites - written off making the play-offs let alone the title - could possibly clinch the Ryman League Division One South championship with victory against YMCA, and if Maidstone United and Tooting & Mitcham United fail to win their games.

The now Folkestone-based regiment, renowned around the world, have forged close links with the club.

And, as a special treat to Dover’s fans, the Gurkhas will be performing on the pitch ahead of the game - and again at half time.

A very big crowd is expected for what is going to be a thrilling day - and one that could turn out to be a dream day!

Dover Athletic chairman Mr Jim Parmenter told www.doverathletic.com  : "We want to create a big atmosphere for this game. We've got the big raffle and player-of-the-year presentations being held too - and of course the chance to be crowned Ryman One champions.

"I have this sneaking feeling Maidstone are going to slip up - and Tooting won't find it easy at Ashford. However, whatever the result, it's going to be a big day on Saturday - and at the very least we have a big chance of sealing two home play-off games."

It's been a rollercoaster season for Whites. A cracking start, a tough middle third of the season - and then championship-running form in the past couple of months.

But Mr Parmenter quipped: "I always said, 'don't panic!'"

He added: "I still think we have every chance of getting promoted. Even if we don't pull it off on Saturday, we're in such good form, I fancy our chances against anyone."

The club would like fans to make a big effort to arrive at the ground early to help create a carnival atmosphere - and to avoid a mad rush at the turnstiles just prior to kick-off.

Although his Sittingbourne side aren’t involved in the play-off’s Steve Lovell believes Dover Athletic won’t have any problems on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Lovell’s men defeated YMCA 2-0 at Bourne Park on Tuesday night.

“It was quite an easy win in the end,” Lovell said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk  tTonight. “We could have had a few more goals as well.”

Sittingbourne welcome fourth placed Fleet Town to Bourne Park on Saturday, and Lovell admitted the Hampshire side are looking to win in Kent to possibly secure second place - and two play-off showdowns at Calthorpe Park.

“It’s funny because no one knows what’s going to happen and you don’t know in Fleet’s situation who they want to play in the play-off’s,” said Lovell.

“It’s a strange one as Fleet could finish second, which will give them home advantage so they would like to beat us and Maidstone and Tooting lose and they could end up in a strong position.”

Lovell can’t predict who will be playing who in next week’s play-off showdowns.

“Anything could happen,” he said. “It’s very exciting for the teams at the top and as you say it’s going to go to the last game, which most league’s would like to see happen.”

But Lovell insists his side will not lay down and die, adding: “We’ll approach it right, the same as we have for the last 41 games.

“Hopefully we can go out and give a good performance, like we’ve done for 90% of the season.

“There’s not many games that we haven’t performed in this season, and with a little bit more luck, we could have found ourselves up there as well.”