Hakan: It isn’t over, not by a long way
Hakan Hayrettin described Maidstone’s seven-point advantage in the National South title race as massive but stressed nothing is won yet.
The Stones won 2-1 at Chippenham on Saturday to stretch their advantage over Dorking, who didn’t play. Wanderers will reduce the gap back to four points if they win their game in hand, against Chippenham tomorrow (Good Friday), but Hayrettin feels United have dealt a psychological blow. “People can say what they want, the most important thing is this team have opened up a seven-point gap which, psychologically, is a big thing,” said the Stones boss.
“It isn’t over, not by a long way, we know that.
“It’s significant, it’s massive, but what does it mean? Anyone can catch up. We’ve just got to match their results. My job is to keep pushing. “We’re in a process and that process isn’t over until the last kick of the last game. When that last whistle blows, that’s when the process is finished.
“My message is this - it isn’t over till it’s over. We’ve got five big cup finals, starting against Dartford on Easter Monday.
“If people have said we’re the best team in the league they must mean it but the proof of the pudding will be at the end of the season.”
Defeat surprisingly cost Chippenham manager
Mike Cook his job, with the Bluebirds only two points outside the play-offs.
Tom Mehew’s wonder goal drew them level after Jerome Binnom-Williams had given Maidstone the lead.
But United took the points with a cracker from Joan Luque - his 22nd goal of the season.
“It was a good day for us,” said Hayrettin. “It was a tough game, a horrible place to come.
“They’ve got a good manager (his departure was announced hours later), a good team and a lot of exciting youngsters who work hard for each other.
“They’ve beaten Dartford and Dorking here, we knew it wasn’t going to be easy.
“We had to defend at the end but I think we had the ascendancy.”