JAY: WE ARE SO CLOSE TO SAFETY
3pm kick-off at Gallagher Stadium
JAY SAUNDERS thinks a win against Boreham Wood will be enough for Maidstone United to book a second date with the National League.
Saunders’ Stones have been in remarkable form, with Friday’s win against Wrexham stretching their run to one defeat in 11 games.
Included in that sequence have been wins at Dagenham & Redbridge and Gateshead, as well as a crucial three points against relegation rivals Southport.
Staying up has been the only goal for the Kent club, who had to balance their playing budget with ground improvements to ensure they met the Grade A requirements following promotion through last season’s National League South play-offs.
That was their third success in four seasons – all under Saunders – as they swiftly rose from the Ryman Division One South to Non-League’s top tier.
In midweek they suffered a heavy away loss to Macclesfield, but bounced back in style with a 3-1 victory in Wales.
But with the majority of the teams below them in the table also winning, the three points haven’t completely eased their fears.
So Saunders wants his side to ease the pressure on Monday before they face the top three – Lincoln, Tranmere and Forest Green – in the last week of the campaign.
“We’ve had one defeat in 11 games yet we are still only five points above the relegation zone,” Saunders said.
“We are at home to Boreham Wood on Monday so that’s a big game for us and if we get the result we should be safe because we’ll have three games left while a lot of the others have only two.
“We’re nearly there and I’d like to think 53 points makes us pretty much safe.”
Boreham Wood manager Luke Garrard was unavailable for comment following their 3-1 defeat to Dagenham & Redbridge on Friday.