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Manager George Elokobi gave top marks to Maidstone’s players after their vital victory over Torquay on Saturday.
The Stones moved up to second in National League South, behind frontrunners Dorking on goal difference, thanks to a 1-0 win at the Gallagher Stadium against their fellow play-off occupants.
Maidstone looked the much more dangerous team for much of the match and finally made their dominance count when Charlie Seaman fired home in the 76th minute as they bounced back from Monday’s goalless draw at Chelmsford and last weekend’s 2-1 home loss to Worthing.
Elokobi reflected: “It was an absolutely tremendous effort from our group of players, who I thought were magnificent.
“They were superb in terms of executing the game strategy but, more importantly, it was about our in and out of possession principles. They executed that brilliantly.
“Everyone was a 10 out of 10 for me today in terms of their job and responsibilities. Defending our box and attacking the other box, they were relentless.
“When we had to be resilient, we were resilient. It was a tremendous team effort.
“We were disciplined out of possession but, also, we created a lot of chances in the final third. There were a lot of final-third entries and crosses and, against a good side in Torquay, if we converted one or two, it could have been more.
“But most importantly, it was about three points today, coming against a good side. Torquay will be there at the end of the season, pushing.
“It was important we reacted positively from a dismal performance on Monday - that’s gone - and also, on the back of defeat against Worthing last weekend.”
It was right-sided player Seaman who finally found a way past Gulls goalkeeper James Hamon for Maidstone in front of a big crowd of 3,028, drilling in from 20 yards.
On the 25-year-old former Doncaster player, Elokobi noted: “He knows the standards - that’s the reason why I brought him to the club.
“He had a brilliant chance against Worthing at home in the first half that he didn’t take.
“It’s important, when he’s in those areas, he’s positive. If there’s one player at this football club that can strike a ball effortlessly and hit the target, it’s Charlie Seaman.
“It wasn’t just his goal-scoring, I thought his all-round performance today was spot-on and 10 out of 10 - but he needs to maintain these standards.
“I’m glad he scored the winning goal. That’s going to give him the world of confidence, going into the final run of games.
“We will take it one game at a time but it’s important we enjoy this moment, as well.”
Seaman’s strike came after the Stones had squandered several golden chances.
But asked if he was ever concerned the seemingly elusive goal wasn’t going to come for Maidstone, Elokobi replied: “No.
“The players kept believing and kept creating. What pleased us the most is us controlling possession at the right time but, also, making sure we controlled territory.
“It was important that our three units stayed nice and compact, and that was there today.
“When we landed on the ball, we won the first contacts but, also, we showed a lot of composure to pick team-mates out. That got us going in terms of the areas that we wanted to get into, based on how we had analysed Torquay.
“We analysed their strengths and weaknesses, and we knew their weaknesses were down on the side of the centre-halves.
“I thought Aaron Blair again gave their defenders a lot to think about today and Sol Wanjau-Smith worked exceptionally well with Baylin Johnson, playing in the pocket.
“Once they had done that, the substitutes came on and I thought they were very effective today in Riley Court, Raphe Brown when he came on for Ben Brookes and Ricardo German.
“When he came on, he gave them something to think about - a different dimension - and I thought the players were excellent today in executing the game strategy.”
The Stones’ latest victory was a needed one after a minor blip in their last two games.
“It’s difficult,” said Elokobi, who had turned 39 on Friday. “It was a difficult game on Monday.
“The conditions were not good at all, the conditions were horrible, and we saw that on Tuesday where a lot of National League South fixtures were called off, based on the weather. We don’t make excuses but they were difficult conditions.
“Yes, we had to break down 10 men and it was difficult. The boys couldn’t find the spaces to break down 10 men. You had to get the ball down and try to penetrate through and around.
“We tried - but we just couldn’t get that rhythm going. But we moved on.
“It was a good point and the boys wanted to show that, with the work we had done in terms of our preparation and the respect we had shown to Torquay, it was important we executed the game-plan. I loved the energy and I loved the commitment.
“It had a lot of quality in all areas in terms of us controlling and dominating possession, players making right decisions on the ball, using their team-mates and it was really good to see.
“We’re going to stay humble. We’re going to enjoy the victory because it was a fantastic reaction from the last two games so it’s important we enjoy the three points.
“But also, we’ll look to get back to work again next week.”
Maidstone travel to Slough next Saturday.