Tributes paid to fan Jason
Maidstone striker Johan ter Horst is finally making friends in the best way he knows how.
He had to wait for his Stones debut after signing from Hull while he completed his recovery from shoulder surgery.
But he scored his first goal for his new club in just his second substitute appearance, a classy run and finish in the 3-1 defeat at Hartlepool.
It came too late to change the game but it was a nice moment for the 22-year-old whose only previous goals in men’s football came in the Ryman League at Folkestone three years ago.
Ter Horst said: “It’s hard when you join a new team.
“The best way to make friends is on the pitch and I missed out on that to start with but the lads have been great, including me and stuff, and it’s great to be out there and scoring again.
“It is nice to get my first goal. It’s bittersweet because we lost the game. We didn’t play particularly well and didn’t get the three points but personally it’s good to be off the mark and great to be back scoring after a fairly difficult few months.”
Ter Horst was restricted to academy and under-23s football during his three seasons at Hull.
The National League is a different animal but he’s up for the challenge.
He said: “I’ve had a little taster. You can tell it’s more physical so you’ve got to have your wits about you and you can’t be pulling out of challenges.
“I think I’ve been lucky coming on at the end of games when defenders are knackered.
“If I were to start a game I’d have to be a bit more at it because I’d imagine the tempo is a bit more fierce but I’m looking forward to that, whenever it may be.”
Ter Horst is firmly in manager Jay Saunders’ thoughts for a start and offers good options. The striker said: There will be a minute’s applause at Saturday’s game in memory of Maidstone fan Jason Munn. Jason, who was wellknown to Stones players and supporters, died from cancer last week. Travelling fans paid tribute at Hartlepool last weekend and now the Gallagher crowd will remember one of their own when United meet Woking. Jason’s widow, Lesley, wrote on Facebook: “I just want to send out one big thank you to everyone for their kind words and support. But especially for the recognition of Jason Munn at Saturday’s game. “Jason’s mum, family and friends have been blown away by it. “My heart swelled with pride for my Jason and the love and support from you fans.” “I spent a lot of time at Hull playing on the right of a front three.
“I did well, scored goals, provided assists, and then going back to my Folkestone days, I was up front with Paul Booth in a big-man, little-man combo. They’re two systems I can slot into fairly well.
“I’m adaptable but I know I can’t play that middle role as well as some others because obviously it’s physical and you need a big lad up there to hold it up, for the ball to stick or to win flick-ons.”