The buzz of management has Jay Saunders hooked as he celebrates five years in charge of his hometown club.

Saunders marked the milestone by leading Maidstone to a 2-1 win at Weston on Tuesday night.

The teams meet again in a quick return at the Gallagher on Saturday (3pm) with more than 2,000 home fans set to show their appreciation for their manager’s achievements since succeeding Andy Ford.

Saunders said: “It’s flown by – I didn’t even realise it was five years until I was told. We’ve had a lot of success with the two promotions and the FA Cup runs.

“I’m not silly, I know it won’t always be like this but I’ve loved every minute of it and a lot of the success we’ve had is down to the backing I’ve had from the club.”

Saunders was sounded out by chief executive Bill Williams in the car park at landlords Ashford, after Ford stood down following a defeat by Croydon.

He went close to pulling off the most unlikely escape from relegation, finishing the Ryman League, Premier Division season with five wins from eight games.

He won the Ryman League, Division 1 South play-offs in United’s first year at the Gallagher, lifted the League Cup a year later, then celebrated Premier Division title glory and a run to the FA Cup second round in 2014-15.

Stones reached the FA Cup first round this year and are mounting a National League South title challenge, seven points behind leaders Ebbsfleet with two games in hand and looking good to meet their pre-season play-off target.

Saunders, 37, said: “I get a bigger buzz from winning as a manager than I did as a player.

“When you’re a player, win, lose or draw, you go home, have a beer and forget about it but it’s a little bit different in management. It’s your team, you’re responsible and you’re judged on what you do."

Saunders’ next challenge is to get his players’ heads right for the return against relegation battlers Weston. United have no new injury worries as they look to complete the double.

See our two-page special on Jay Saunders' five-year reign in Friday's Kent Messenger