Flexible Taylor sums up team’s workrate
POSITIVE FORMATION BRINGS ITS REWARD FOR MAIDSTONE BOSS
Bobby-Joe Taylor typified Maidstone’s workrate in their win at North Ferriby – playing in three different positions. Taylor started on the wing, dropped to full-back after Jack Evans’ red card, then lined up for the second half in a three-man central midfield. Maidstone dominated in opening up a 2- 0 lead before keeping the Villagers at bay for their fourth National League win. Taylor said: “When you go down to 10 men, you know you’re going to be running and running but we all work for each other, which is one of the big factors here. “Everyone did that, not just myself. I’ve come off with a dead leg but we all dug deep and all credit to the whole team. I’ve never played three positions in one game but I’m just happy to play and happy that the gaffer sticks his faith in me, wherever he puts me. “I just try and give 100% every time – that’s how we all are. At 2- 0 it was going to be hard for them to come back with the group we’ve got and the clean sheet is one we’re delighted with as well. “It might have made things difficult for us when Jack was sent off but with the mentality we’ve got, we got together and got the win.” Ferriby’s Grange Lane home was a culture shock after trips to Tranmere’s Prenton Park and the Deva Stadium at Chester in the first month of the season – but it was important to be professional. Taylor said: “It’s lovely to play at places like Tranmere – it’s a Championship ground and we went there, took it all in and gave it our all – and we did the same here. “All teams are going to be difficult to play against. You get good pitches, bad pitches but the pitch here was nice enough for us to play and that’s how we got our first goal.” Maidstone set out with top-10 ambitions in their first year in the National League. Forest Green aside, they’ve been in every game and Taylor is happy with the start. Taylor said: “It’s a long season. It’s always going to be tight. “Over the years if you look at the table it’s always small margins with points. “It’s exciting for us to be competing at this level and hopefully we’ll keep picking up points.” Jay Saunders was always confident Maidstone’s 10 men would beat North Ferriby. Stones boss Saunders had no complaints at Jack Evans’ red card and felt his team handled the reshuffle well, going to a 4-3-2 formation in the second half. He said: “I think he’s got to go. As soon as the forward gets in that position and cuts across – Jack’s made no attempt to tackle him, he’s more trying to get out the way but he’s clipped his heels – that’s the way it goes. I’m disappointed for Jack because he’s been good recently. Nine times out of 10 you see them as sendings-off so it is what it is. “I wanted to keep two up front so it wasn’t just wave after wave of attack and I felt we did that. The three in midfield worked well. “I felt quite confident second half. We were dealing with anything long they put in our box and never felt they were going to open us up. “You always want that second goal and getting that in the second half was a massive boost.”