‘I wasn’t the player I know I am’

Maidstone forward Sol Wanjau-Smith is coming into form at a crucial stage of the season. The winger scored four goals in six games in March as United went through the month unbeaten. His tally included two headers in a 4-0 victory over National League South promotion rivals Boreham Wood at the Gallagher Stadium last weekend.

Wanjau-Smith was released by Maidstone at the end of last season but rejoined on loan from Bath in November. He scored in a 4-0 win against Farnborough before Christmas but it took time to adjust to being back at the club. He’s in the zone now, though, as George Elokobi’s side look to secure a play-off place in the final five games.



“I started off all right but coming from part-time to full-time again and adapting to training the day before a game, different gym sessions, and living away from home, I struggled a little bit for form in January,” said Wanjau-Smith. “I wasn’t coasting but I wasn’t the player I know I am, so it’s nice to pick up a bit of form. “I’ve scored four goals in March, which is quite nice, and hopefully I can end the season with double figures in the league.

As a winger that’s what you aim for. “People say not much has changed, with the gaffer and Craig (Fagan, assistant manager), and I know exactly what they require from us, but there’s still different players. “When I played out wide last season I didn’t play with Ben Brookes, so I was getting used to him and getting used to playing with Aaron Blair, so I was just trying to complement everyone else.

“It was maybe difficult through January but everyone’s picking up now and hopefully we can keep this form going until the end of the season.” Wanjau-Smith isn’t known for scoring headers, so he surprised himself against Boreham Wood. He gave Maidstone the lead after meeting Temi Eweka’s flick and got on the end of a Charlie Seaman cross for his second.

“I don’t think I’ve scored a header at this level before,” said Wanjau-Smith. “I’ve got a video from an FA Vase game when I was 18, I went round the keeper and my first-ever header in men’s football was a header on the line, flicking it in, so to score two in one game is a bit crazy. “I think I tried my hardest to miss the first one, hitting the bar from about two yards out.

“I just closed my eyes, it hit my head and went in. “The second one, I said to Matt Rush (ex-Stones, now at Boreham Wood), it’s like a Matt Rush goal, back stick, it comes to you, little header and it went in. “Maybe I need to start saying I’m an aerial threat.

” Competition for places has increased with the deadline-day loan signing of Middlesbrough forward Pharell Willis. So Wanjau-Smith knows he has to maintain his form as Maidstone head to Weston this Saturday (3pm). “Every player wants to play every minute of every game,” he said.

“I got taken off when I was on a hat-trick but you have to stay fresh and there’s so much competition and so many good players. “We’ve got Pharrell coming in now, who looks very sharp and can be a real good asset, and it definitely keeps you on your toes. “It’s important you don’t get complacent and think ‘I’m in the side, I’m going to stay in the side’.

“It’s not that easy so you need to keep on adding goals and assists and wins.” Weston are a club Wanjau-Smith knows well, having played for their under-18s, and his family home is just a few miles from the ground. The Seagulls are only two points outside the play-offs, with Boreham Wood currently occupying the final spot, and four behind Maidstone.

“It’s a tough place to go and they’re right on our tails,” said Wanjau-Smith. “Hopefully we’ll get a result there and solidify ourselves in the play-offs. “Every game in this league is hard.

“From the very bottom to the top, every game is tough and I think if you look at the results we’ve had, we’ve probably struggled against teams who aren’t fighting for anything. “We’re probably better against teams when we have to be on our A-game and they really push us. “Weston are flying as well, so hopefully it’ll bring the best out of us.

”.