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Will Maidstone United goalkeeper Dion-Curtis Henry keep his place against Ebbsfleet?

Maidstone keeper Dion-Curtis Henry hopes he's done enough to keep the shirt after his penalty save against Gillingham.

Henry was back in goal in the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday night after playing second fiddle to Chris Lewington in recent weeks.

The on-loan Crystal Palace man saved Elliott List's spot-kick as United won the semi-final shoot-out 4-2.

Maidstone goalkeeper Dion-Curtis Henry Picture: Steve Terrell
Maidstone goalkeeper Dion-Curtis Henry Picture: Steve Terrell

He said: "I can’t expect to come in and play every game.

"The management have their reasons and I respect whatever decision they make.

"I went and spoke to them and they said I’d play tonight, this is your chance to keep the shirt and maybe play Saturday if you do well.

"At the end of the day it’s all experience. I’m enjoying my experience. It’s good.

"I just need to work hard Thursday, work hard Friday and hopefully keep the shirt for Ebbsfleet on Saturday.

"I’ve got nothing against Chris, it’s the manager’s decision.

"We’re both here to get games when we can and Chris has been nothing but helpful.

"Obviously he’s goalie coach as well so in training he’s sound. He’s been brilliant.

"This is the highest level I've played so far.

Dion-Curtis Henry hopes to get the nod against Ebbsfleet Picture: Sean Aidan
Dion-Curtis Henry hopes to get the nod against Ebbsfleet Picture: Sean Aidan

"I've done Conference North with Boston a couple of years ago and it takes a few games to settle in but the boys here have been great.

"When you've got that support in the changing room and the manager giving me confidence when I do play, it just makes me feel better and play better."

Henry did his chances no harm against Gillingham, enjoying the atmosphere and revelling in the chance to be a shoot-out hero.

He said: "The atmosphere was brilliant. The fans made it. They’re the games you want to be playing in.

"I know the Maidstone v Gillingham rivalry is quite big and when we came out and heard the fans singing and going at each other it made the atmosphere a lot better.

"I always back myself in a penalty shoot-out.

"I’ve had quite a few when I used to play Saturday and Sunday league football and I was always quite good.

"I read all of them, I knew where they were all going, it was just the pace on them that beat me.

"We should probably have won the game in the 90 minutes but we showed great character, the fans enjoyed it and it was probably better that we won on penalties just for the fans’ sake so they could rub it in a little bit."

Read more: Dion-Curtis Henry on dealing with stick from the terraces

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