No farewell appearances
There’s no room for sentiment when Maidstone host National League runners-up Tranmere in their final game of the season. Stones boss Jay Saunders has a good idea who will be leaving the Gallagher this summer but won’t be handing out farewell appearances for the sake of it on Saturday (12.15pm). Maidstone could finish 10th with a win and that’s all Saunders is thinking about. He said: “I want to win a game of football, so there’s no sentiment. “Don’t get me wrong, if someone gets injured and we need to make a change, so be it. “It’s never nice losing players. You’ve got to tell them and that’s the horrible side of the job but it’s things that have to be be done. “I’ve got an idea who’s on the way. “Me and Nicky Southall (assistant boss) have had a good chat and I think I know where we want to go in certain areas.” Jamar Loza is rated 50-50 after missing the last three games with a groin problem but Stones should have everyone else available. How Tranmere will line up is anyone’s guess, with Saunders expecting them to the rest players with the play-offs in mind. He said: “It’s difficult because when teams rest Look out for news of a big preseason friendly at the Gallagher. It will be five years in July since Brighton came down to open the stadium and Stones have big-name opponents lined up again. Boss Jay Saunders said: “We’ve got a big pre-season game to announce in the next few days.” players, they’ve got players coming in that maybe haven’t played as much and they want to prove a point. “We don’t know what side Tranmere will put out but I’m expecting them to rest a few going into the play-offs. “That’s what I would do in that situation but it’s our last game, we want to go out on a positive note and there’ll be no better way to do it than trying to beat Tranmere.” Stones lost 2-1 to a late goal at Prenton Park in August but gave a good account of themselves. Saunders said: “When you go to places like that, it makes you realise how much you want to stay in the league. “We enjoyed it up there and gave a decent performance.” The Tranmere game is an allticket match. Tickets will be on sale at the Gallagher today (Thursday) and tomorrow, from 10am to 5pm. There will be an end-ofseason party in the Spitfire Lounge after the game, when player-of-the-year awards will be presented. You can vote online for your player-of-the-year on the Maidstone
United website. Stones youth trials in all age groups are taking place this summer. For dates and to apply, visit maidstoneunited.co.uk. Ladies, girls and disability trials are still to be announced.