Same again for Maidstone?

George Elokobi could name the same side for the fourth game running when in-form Maidstone visit play-off rivals Weston in a key game. The Stones head to Somerset this Saturday (3pm) four points clear of their hosts, who are fighting hard to snatch a place in the National League South top seven. Elokobi’s men are sixth after thumping Boreham Wood 4-0 last weekend and know victory would land a major blow to Weston’s hopes of catching them.

United have won their past three games - scoring 10 goals and conceding none - with the same starting XI. Everyone’s fighting hard for a place but, barring injuries, Elokobi must be tempted to stick with a winning team. “We love continuity,” said the Stones boss.



“All the boys that have been starting games have been exceptional, but not just in games, it’s how they train, they don’t want to lose their shirts. “They take every bit of information and they apply themselves practically, apply themselves right, they work hard throughout the week, just like their peers who are trying to force their way into the team. “It’s a good selection headache at the moment for the management team but when you have that continuity it helps everyone, it helps players understand key principles in and out of possession, what’s needed for the team and we’ve seen that throughout the squad.

“It doesn’t matter who starts or who’s on the bench or in the stands, everyone understands that because when we go to work these players adhere to high standards and they hold one another accountable for the smallest margins of error. “It’s important everyone keeps working hard and enjoying being part of the training sessions, knowing if they put the hard yards in, it’s going to be easier to compete and enforce a positive outcome against any opposition.” Defender George Fowler has been an unlikely source of goals, scoring three in his past six games.

He’s moved on to five for the season, one ahead of fellow centre-half Temi Eweka. The pair are in competition. “They’ve got a little bit of a battle for who is going to finish the highest goalscorer,” said Elokobi.

“Fowler is now leading that and he’s going to upset Temi Eweka a little bit, so it’s down to Temi to up his levels to make sure he can catch him. “You want goals from your centre-backs, that’s something I’ve always stressed. “I think we’ve got the presence, and the deliveries are always excellent, so it’s about the run, sensing where you want to run and losing your marker.

“It’s good to see but the defenders also take great pride in keeping clean sheets and you can see that. “Credit to the entire defensive line.”.