Home   Maidstone   Sport   Article

Maidstone United manager Jay Saunders tastes victory for the first time in 18 games

Jay Saunders gave his players the credit after Maidstone won for the first time in four months.

The Stones’ 17-match winless run is over after Josh Hare’s 88th-minute goal against Torquay - a result that moves them eight points clear of the National League relegation zone.

Their last win had come in the away game at Torquay - by the same 1-0 scoreline - on November 11.

Scroll down for audio

Maidstone boss Jay Saunders Picture: Andy Jones
Maidstone boss Jay Saunders Picture: Andy Jones

Boss Saunders privately felt Saturday’s match was one United had to win and the side delivered with Hare’s late goal.

Saunders said: “I’ve got to give the players full credit.

“It would have been easy for them to throw in the towel with the run we’ve been on but they’ve kept going, they’ve kept doing what I’ve asked them to do, they’ve listened, they’ve worked hard for each other.

“The spirit, although it’s been down after games, they come in training and their attitude’s been first-class.

“You could see, even the subs on the pitch celebrating with the boys, how much it means to all of them.

“They’re a close group and they’ve stuck with it.

“It has been a testing time, not just for the management, for all the staff, because it’s been a run as a club we’ve not been used to being on.

“So I’m just delighted we’ve got this three points but I don’t want to get too excited.

“We’ve now got to move on and start planning for Sutton next week.”

Josh Hare scored the winner Picture: Andy Jones
Josh Hare scored the winner Picture: Andy Jones

Maidstone have played better in recent weeks and lost.

But they kept going and deserved their moment when Hare pounced after Ross Lafayette’s header hit the post.

Saunders said: “Was it the prettiest of games? No. Did we play our best? No.

“But, do you know what, I’d have taken a scrappy 1-0 win at the start of the day.

“Probably in the last 17 games I’d have given anything for a scrappy 1-0 win.

“I said all along we were losing games and drawing games that we’d play a lot better in than we did today and get nothing, like Tranmere.

“The boys showed a lot of character, there was a lot of pressure on them today.

“I sort of played it down before the game and said all the pressure’s on Torquay because of their position but there was a lot of pressure on us.

“Obviously the run we’ve been on, they’re a team in the relegation zone, so it was up to us to take the game to them.

“I thought we looked nervy, a bit rusty after the two weeks off and it wasn’t a great spectacle but I’m pleased we got the win.”

Read the match report from Maidstone's 1-0 win over Torquay

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More