‘They will want to unleash hell on us’

George Elokobi says Maidstone must be ready for Worthing to “unleash hell” on them in tonight’s National League South play-off eliminator. The Rebels were one of six sides in contention to win the title going into the final day of the season but missed out to Truro and had to settle for fourth place. They host the Stones in a repeat of last season’s semi-final, which Worthing won 2-1, and it’s up to Elokobi’s men to handle whatever comes their way.

“Can we capitalise on their disappointment?” said the Stones boss. “We have to be ready because, with that disappointment, they will want to unleash hell on us. “We have to be physically, psychologically, tactically, technically ready to ensure we go there with no fear and trust in our squad and trust in the players and let them go and play with freedom and enjoy themselves.



” Maidstone gave a good account of themselves in last season’s play-off meeting at Woodside Road. Matt Bentley cancelled out Ollie Pearce’s opener and United were the better side in the second half. But seconds after Matt Rush hit the bar, the Rebels broke and Pearce scored an 89th-minute winner.

Elokobi feels it’s difficult to say whether Maidstone are better equipped to get the result this time around. “We can’t compare the squads,” he said. “These boys have been tremendous throughout the season.

“Every member in the squad has played their part to help us get to this position. “It’s not about the squad of last season or the squad this season, it’s about our togetherness, making sure we go out on Wednesday against a good team in Worthing and leave everything on the pitch. “We have to believe in one another and make sure we do it as a team, and we’ll see what the outcome is going to be.

“It’s always been a good game against Worthing. “We know how they play, how they set up and we’re not going to change the way we do things at Maidstone. “I’m sure they’re aware of our strengths and our weaknesses because we all have them in football.

“It’s about focusing on what’s needed on the day and without giving too much away, we’ll ensure we prepare the squad right for what’s going to be a physical test, a psychological test, an emotional test, and then the tactics come into it as well.” Maidstone produced one of their best away performances of the season in winning 2-0 at Worthing in October. But the Rebels took the points in the return game, winning 2-1 at the Gallagher in January There’s little between the sides.

“I know we beat them at their place and then they came to the Gallagher and beat us, but we can’t look back,” said Elokobi. How to win National League South play-offs “This is a different context, this is the play-offs and we have to ensure we go out and compete and earn the right to impose our game plan on a good Worthing side. “We were looking forward to whoever we were going to come up against in the play-offs.

“I didn’t care who we got but now we are clear, we’ve got a job to do and we want to go out and give a good account of Maidstone United Football Club.” Skipper Sam Corne was among those to sit out the final league game of the season, a 2-2 draw at Farnborough, on Saturday. But the manager is keeping availability under wraps.

“I would love to give you an update on the injuries but I can’t give too much away at this stage of the season,” said Elokobi. “I’m sure everyone had got their own injuries to worry about. “We’ve just got to look at who is available and go from there.

” Ex-Maidstone striker Mo Faal, who scored in Worthing’s win at the Gallagher this season, is likely to line up for the hosts. But another Stones old boy, goalkeeper Lucas Covolan, might have to settle for a place on the bench. The winners of tonight’s tie go to Eastbourne in the semi-finals on Sunday.

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