It’s time for calm heads
Striker Jack Barham believes it is vital Maidstone keep their bottle in the National League South title race.
The second-placed Stones are now six points behind Dorking after they lost 1-0 at Meadowbank last weekend as the campaign heads towards the final quarter of games.
But Wanderers visit fourthplaced Dartford this Saturday, with plenty more points to be played for yet.
The Stones also have a game in hand on the league leaders and Barham hasn’t given up on top spot, saying: “If we win our game in hand, it (the gap) is back to three points.
“They slip up and lose a game and we win and suddenly it’s back on again. There’s still a long way to go.
“I think this time of the season, it’s about who shows their bottle. That’s how football works.
“Whoever can keep being consistent until the end of the season will lift the trophy.” Defeat ended Maidstone’s 14-match unbeaten league run, their best in 10 years, and they will aim to bounce back when they host play-off chasing Hungerford this Saturday.
“It’s going to be a tough game,” predicted Barham, who is back fit again after missing Maidstone’s win over Oxford City through illness.
“We know what they bring to the table - it’s fight and grit. They like to take their time on the ball and make things difficult for their opponent. “They turned over Dartford the other night (beating them 2-1), their place is tricky to go to, especially on a Tuesday night. “But for us, we like being on the 3G at home.
“We like moving the ball quickly, getting it out wide, getting balls in the box and hurting teams. They have got to come to a tricky place.
“It’s time for us to roll our sleeves up now and have a really good end to the season.”
The Stones are then back in action at the Gallagher on Tuesday, hosting Braintree. Barham commented: “We are fortunate we have got a Saturday-Tuesday coming up because we can tick them off. We are taking each game as it comes.
“Whoever you are playing, it’s not going be easy - even if you are playing bottom-ofthe-table or mid-table. A lot of those players are fighting for contracts. Every team we play, they step it up, especially when you come to the Gallagher and you are playing in front of 2,500 to 3,000 fans.”
It is not just at home Maidstone get strong backing, either, with 950 Stones fans travelling to Surrey last weekend.
Barham said: “If you look at any away support in this league, to bring 950 away fans, is incredible.
“They’ll be the people that get us over the line, especially in the last five or 10 minutes - or added time - whatever it may be. They keep the boys going every week. “For me on a personal note, they’re the best fans I’ve played in front of - home and away. “I think they will get us over the line at the end of the season but, for now, it’s just about getting our heads down ready for the next game.”
Eight-goal Barham found the net twice against Dorking as he faced his old club but both were ruled offside. There was little debate over his first-half effort, however his second disallowed goal appeared a closer call. “I think the two on the post stepped up last minute so it was offside,” he conceded. “That’s what the boys said.
“But for me, I have just got to put the ball in the back of the net.
“It’s just about being in the right place at the right time and trying to chip away with goals all the time. It will come.
“This was just one game. We have got 13 to go and it’s just about getting back on that winning train again.”