As reported in the local press, top scorer Shaun Welford has opted to stay on with The Stones despite a lucrative offer from Ryman South winners Whitehawk. Penenden Heath-based Shaun officially signed this weekend and is looking forward to playing a big part in the Stones’ homecoming season.

Also signing on the dotted line is central midfielder Michael Phillips, who is fit once again after a knee injury which saw him last turn out in late February.

Finally, we can also announce that despite offers from clubs higher up the pyramid, Sam Bewick has opted to stay with The Stones. Sam quickly became a fans’ favourite last season, coming runner up in the supporters’ vote for their player of the year, and he will no doubt be looking to add to the 49 appearances he made for the club last season.

All three players have signed on non-contract terms, and join Jay Saunders, Steve Ward and Tom Mills (who signed a contract until the end of the 2012-13 season back in September 2011) in the squad for the upcoming season.

Maidstone United have brought their time in exile to an end as they said goodbye to Bourne Park with a defeat which ensured that they missed out on the Ryman One South play offs.

This game summed up The Stones’ season as in the first half they were excellent but after the interval they fell apart as Bognor came from two nil down to comfortably claim the three points.

The game was played on a soaking wet pitch with standing water in places and with a strong swirling wind the conditions were certainly far from idea. But it was Maidstone who adapted the quickest to the situation and they dominated the opening stages.

With six minutes played, Alex Flisher exchanged passes with Shaun Welford before Flisher advanced into the area and as he went to shoot, he had the ball whipped off his toes by an excellent challenge from the sliding Dan Beck.

It didn’t take long for The Stones to opening the scoring though as with just ten minutes gone, Sam Bewick whipped a free-kick into the danger zone inside the box and the Bognor defence was caught cold as Shaun Welford arrived to place the ball in the net.

With Jay Saunders working hard in midfield and regularly winning possession, Maidstone continued to dominate and Saunders brought a diving save from Craig Stoner in the Bognor goal before the visitors had their first opportunity of the game when Ben Andrews slipped the ball into Steve Harper whose shot just went wide.

Shortly afterwards, The Stones pieced together a fine move which once again saw Flisher and Welford combine and then Flisher passed to Karl Murray who picked out Bewick on the far side of the box who volleyed the ball towards the goal only for Stoner to intervene.

Saunders then put a good chance from a central position well wide and then moments later, Bewick gained possession down the right and his early shot from distance deflected behind for a corner.

Bognor were still struggling with the conditions as the game moved towards the break and on 39 minutes Maidstone moved the ball around well before Welford passed to Saunders whose low shot looked to be on target until it took a wicked deflection and travelled wide.

Then just before the break, The Stones moved further ahead. Saunders won the ball in midfield and released Bewick whose cross went to Flisher on the far side of the box. Flisher sent the ball back over the area and Stoner’s attempted clearance only went as far as Bewick who chipped a pass up to Welford who headed in his 31^st goal of a prolific season.

Shortly after the interval Maidstone had an excellent chance to add a third goal when Welford’s header forward fell to Bewick who ran into the area but as he attempted to round Stoner he over hit the ball and it went wide.

Stoner was then called into action to push Flisher’s shot from distance round the post before Bognor pulled a goal back on 58 minutes when Maidstone could not deal with a cross from the right and Terry Dodd was on hand to bundle in the opportunity.  Then five minutes later, The Stones’ lead was wiped out as the visitors levelled thanks to a fine curling strike from substitute Ben Johnson which only just evaded the outstretched hands of John Whitehouse.

By now the dynamic of the game had swung the other way with Bognor in command of the match and it was no surprise when they edged in front with 72 minutes gone. Maidstone’s defence were caught out as a long ball forwards picked out Dodd on the right hand side and The Rocks’ striker confidently went past the sliding Graeme Andrews before entering the box and sliding in a neat finish from a tight angle.

Then with just ten minutes remaining Bognor made sure of the win as they added a fourth goal when Whitehouse initially made a good save to deny Ben Andrews but from the resultant corner, the ball dropped to Steve Harper who picked his spot through a crowd of players and sent past the stranded Maidstone keeper.

So there was to be no playoff excitement for The Stones this season but in a couple of weeks time the 2011 / 2012 season will be a distant memory as all eyes turn to the opening of the Gallagher Stadium on 14^th July and the long anticipated return home of Maidstone United to the county town of Kent.

Maidstone United: Shaun Welford 10, 44

Bognor Regis Town: Terry Dodd 58, 72, Ben Johnson 63, Steve Harper 80

Maidstone United: John Whitehouse, Tommy Osborne, Tom Mills, Sam Groombridge, Graeme Andrews, Jay Saunders (Alex Waugh 75), Ellis Green (Ben Davisson 65), Sam Bewick, Shaun Welford, Karl Murray, Alex Flisher (Baff Addae 67). Subs not used: Josh James, Steve Northwood.

Bognor Regis Town: Craig Stoner, Callum Sherrif (Darryl Woller 57), James Crane, Antonio Gonnella (Ben Johnson 40), Sonny Cobbs, Ben Andrews, Dan Beck, Kane Wills, Steve Harper, Terry Dodd, Harvey Whyte (Ashley Robinson 45). Subs not used: Jon Marzetti, Tom Boyle.

• Man of the Match Poll
• Interview with Jay Saunders

Sam Bunn looks back at some of the most memorable Stones games played at the home of The Brickies…

Maidstone 2-4 Sidlesham, 19 October 2002, FA Vase 1st Round
This FA Vase tie against Sussex County League Sidlesham may have been among the first games the Stones played at Bourne Park, but it also remains one of the most controversial, and lives long in the memory for many Stones fans. Tipped as one of the favourites for the competition, Maidstone went into the game anticipating a routine home victory against the West Sussex club, playing in their first ever season in the FA Vase. However Sidlesham did not read the script; their overtly physical style was complemented by some puzzling refereeing decisions, and the West Sussex side found themselves one up before Richard Sinden somehow conspired to miss from two yards. The Sids then doubled their lead thanks to a moment of madness from Kevin Hudson in the Maidstone goal, however the away side did also have Dave Towers sent off. The Stones came out for the second half with renewed vigour, and by sixty minutes found themselves level thanks to a Richard Sinden penalty and a Paul Foley header. With the clock ticking down and extra time approaching the Stones had their strong penalty appeal of the game turned down. Sidlesham then raced up the other end to grab an unlikely winner, before adding insult to injury with another in stoppage time.

Maidstone 1-1 Bishop’s Stortford, 11 October 2003, FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round
Kent League Stones took on Bishop’s Stortford, then at Step 2 of the pyramid, and held them to a more than respectable draw in front of 601 spectators. Maidstone took the lead on the stoke of half time; the pressure from Aaron Lacy’s throws, which caused the away side problems all afternoon, finally paid off as the Stortford ‘keeper could only clear to Ross Edwards who headed home. Stortford equalised early in the second half through Bunn, and although they peppered the Stones goal for much of the second half they could find no way through, whether it was thanks to the imperious Hudson or the woodwork. The Stones headed up the M11 three days later for the replay, backed by a large and noisy contingent, and Jim Ward’s side reacted superbly to going 2-0 down by pulling level thanks to Sinden and Nick Davis, however current Dover player Glen Southam’s mazy run and calm finish gave his side a 90th minute winner.

Maidstone 1-1 Beckenham Town, 25 March 2006, Kent League Premier Division
Leroy Huggins’ 78th minute equaliser gave the Stones an ultimately title-winning point in this top of the table clash. With the Stones and Becks neck and neck at the top, and there being some acrimony between the two sides following the transfers of Nathan Paul and Mario Celaire from Beckenham to Maidstone, this match was an edgy affair with the plethora of skilful players on both sides struggling to make an impact on proceedings. The deadlock was finally broken after half time when a certain Ellis Green fired past Pat Mullin in the Stones goal. However, with an unthinkable defeat only ten minutes away, debutant Leroy Huggins raced beyond the Beckenham defence before stroking home, winning the Stones a point and denying Beckenham two which would go a huge way to deciding the destination of the Kent League title.

Maidstone 9-0 Sporting Bengal, 8 April 2006, Kent League Premier Division
The Stones handed out an almighty hammering to the Mile End club, with the goals coming from Ryan Royston, Leroy Huggins (3), Mo Takaloo (2), Nathan Paul, Lee Sperring and Simon Austin. In truth the home side should have won by more, however some poor decision-making (or greediness!) and a great performance from Abdul Hakim in the Bengal goal stopped the Stones from reaching double figures.

Maidstone 4-1 Dartford, 3 March 2007, Ryman League Division One South
In a season that confounded all expectations as the Stones went on to win the Ryman South title, few wins were sweeter than this 4-1 victory against rivals Dartford in front of a season-high attendance of 814. With the Bourne Park pitch perhaps at its worst ever at this time, the Stones managed to turn this to their advantage as Hume and Walker’s charges comfortably beat the Darts, captained by Tommy Osborne. Our goals that day came from Rowland (2), Takaloo and Austin, who along with Alex Tiesse made up the Ryman South’s most formidable forward-line who (along with central defensive goalscoring sensation Ryan Royston) fired us into the Ryman Premier at the first time of asking.

Maidstone 2-1 , 22 September 2007, Ryman League Premier Division
A late winner from debutant Luis Cumbers gave the Stones only their second league victory of the season, and who better to do it against than one of your fiercest rivals who you haven’t faced in the league for over 20 years? Nick Hegley gave the Stones an early lead, pouncing onto a delightful cross-field pass from Nathan Paul and curling the ball into the top corner, and it looked like it would finish 1-0 until Jon Main equalised for the Angels in the 82nd minute. However just two minutes later Cumbers popped up with a scrappy winner, and the Gillingham loanee went on to register eleven vital goals in thirteen matches before being recalled by the Gills.

Maidstone 0-1 AFC Wimbledon, 25 October 2008, FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round
Although the Stones were comfortably beaten by Blue Square South leaders AFC Wimbledon, this game will go down in the history books after hosting the Stones’ highest attendance since reformation (1719) and being the culmination of the club’s best FA Cup run since reformation. A solitary goal from Sam Hatton gave the Dons a deserved win, however for Maidstone to host a game played in front of a huge crowd with an electric atmosphere gave a tantalising glimpse into what the future would be like when Maidstone finally returned to their home town.

Maidstone 2-0 Dulwich Hamlet, 29 October 2011, Ryman League Division One South
This comprehensive victory earlier this season took the Stones top of the table, taking the place of our opponents, and left the Stones fans wondering what just might be possible for the rest of the season. Shaun Welford gave us a fourth minute lead, bundling home a lofted ball from Michael Phillips, and Ellis Green soon made it 2-0 after an exquisite one-two with Danny Lye. The Stones continued to dominate, and although they didn’t add to the scoreline the game will go down as the Stones’ best performance of the season against a side who go into today with every chance of winning the league.

I go into every game both as a player and a manager wanting to win and tomorrow will be no different, I don’t want a similar situation to last season when we found out that Hastings had lost, meaning that if we’d beaten AFC Hornchurch we would have stayed up. It is also important we perform for the fans, who have brilliant all season, in the last game before we come home.

Saturday’s game will obviously be a very big test for us, for me Bognor have been the best side we have faced this season and I am surprised they haven’t already won the league.

It will be interesting to see how our newer players such as Ben Davisson and Karl Murray fare against a side who have set the standard this year, and it will also be good to look at how we are as a whole, and how we can improve to reach their level next season.

After missing last weeks game we will welcome Ben Davisson and Graeme Andrews back into the squad tomorrow. However Danny Lye will unfortunately not recover in time from his back injury.

In addition, Michael Phillips trained on Thursday but Saturday will most likely be too soon to welcome him back into the fold.

Maidstone United’s play-off ambitions look to be all but over as they fell by three goals to two at Walton Casuals.

With Godalming beating Sittingbourne 3-1 at Bourne Park, the Stones now go into the last game of the season needing a win against Bognor and for Godalming to lose at home to Eastbourne. Maidstone will also need a three goal swing in their favour to overcome the G’s superior goal difference.

Jay Saunders was forced into three changes ahead of the game with Graeme Andrews (dead leg), Danny Lye (back) and Ben Davisson (illness) all missing out; in their place came Ellis Green, Jay Saunders and Alex Flisher.

And in truth, it was probably these disruptive changes, and the loss of Andrews in particular, that cost Maidstone the game. With Andrews missing, Jay Saunders opted for a defensive overhaul with Sam Bewick coming into right back, Tom Mills shuffling across to centre back alongside Sam Groombridge with Tommy Osborne moving to left back. It was an understandable move by the manager, a similar configuration shut out Dulwich Hamlet with aplomb back in February, however this time out the Stones lacked leadership and composure at the heart of the defence as they conceded three avoidable goals.

At the ground which saw Maidstone secure the Ryman South title back in 2007, the first real chance of the game fell to Nathan Abery who got in behind the away defence, however he could only slice the ball wide of John Whitehouse’s post.

The Stones soon felt their way into the game however, and they probably should have taken the lead on twenty minutes when a quickly-taken Welford long throw took the Stags defence by surprise, but Alex Flisher mistimed his free header which went comfortably into the hands of Gareth Williams.

Indeed it was Flisher who had the potential to be Maidstone’s most fruitful outlet in the first half, Walton’s 3-5-2 formation affording the left winger acres of space and a free run and their central defenders, however in the absence of Ben Davisson Maidstone rarely found an incisive pass to set the Barming-based player away.

Nevertheless the Stones did manage to take the lead with twenty minutes on the clock. Chris Davidson misjudged Sam Bewick’s lofted ball forward, and Shaun Welford was on hand to grab his 30th goal of the season after rounding Williams.

It was a deserved goal for Welford who only minutes earlier had an almighty collision with the post after chasing down a sliced clearance by Williams. In addition, it was Bewick’s fourth assist in as many games as the 19-year-old continued his excellent end to the season.

Maidstone quickly looked to extend their lead and Walton had Williams to thank as he made two great saves in quick succession, the first an agile stop from a deflected Flisher free kick, the second tipping over Baff Addae’s long range drive after he cut in from the left.

These scares seemed to jolt Walton into life as they begun to exert some pressure on the Stones’ make-shift back four. First, some indecision in central defence saw Sol Patterson-Bonher shoot wide, and moments later more sloppy defending from a corner saw the ball eventually reach Josh Gallagher, who equalised with an unstoppable 20 yard volley.

The Stones reacted decently to the equaliser, with Welford flicking on for Addae and Green to get shots away respectively, but it would be Walton who would go on to grab the games third goal. An Osborne miscontrol gave the home side a throw in deep inside the Stones half, and from that the ball reached Abery, who despite having a plethora of amber shirts in his vicinity was able to turn with ease and shoot beyond the scrambling Whitehouse.

Then with the Stones on the ropes as half time approached, the Stags will indeed have been disappointed not to be going into the break leading 3-1 after Michael Corbett’s delightful free kick clipped the outside of the post.

The second half began in controversial circumstances; Green pounced on an under hit back pass, and just as Williams smothered the ball Green was felled by Boswell. A penalty was rightly given, however referee Mr Hardie inexplicably saw fit to send Boswell off, despite the fact he was in no way denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Addae stepped up, and his defiantly composed penalty made it 2-2, game and play offs back on.

Or so you would have thought. But the Stones instead regressed, and five minutes later found themselves behind once again when a static defence allowed Abery a free header from Joe Hill’s cross.

Against 10 men and with nothing to lose, manager Saunders bought himself off for Alex Waugh, and the former Margate striker was soon amongst the action, first heading a Flisher cross straight at Williams and then heading wide from a Green centre.

Whitehouse was then on hand to save Groombridge’s blushes after his scuffed clearance landed straight at the feet of Gallagher, and Glenn Stanley then blazed over.

Good work from Addae then saw him square for Welford but he blazed over when well placed, and  Groombridge, Addae and Bewick also spurned half chances. Flisher then put in an inviting cross to Welford whose back-post header was superbly blocked by Ben King.

Just as it looked like Maidstone were going to run out of time Groombridge had the ball in the net, heading home Addae’s pullback, but the goal was disallowed with the assistant referee deeming Addae had run the ball out of play, much to the dismay of Groombridge who was booked for his troubles.

Maidstone desperately pushed and prodded as 90 minutes came and went, Flisher once again found Welford at the back post, but the moment had gone, leaving Maidstone United needing a miracle if they are to be in the play-offs at 5PM next Saturday.

Walton Casuals: Josh Gallagher 34, Nathan Abery 44, 57

Maidstone United: Shaun Welford 20, Addae 52 (pen)

Walton Casuals: Gareth Williams, Joe Hill, Chris Davison, Craig Lewington, Jon Boswell, Michael Corbett, Sean Bradley, Josh Gallagher, Nathan Abery, Sol Patterson-Bonher, Ben King. Subs: Glenn Stanley, Kwabena Agyei, Danny Fernandez, Martin Beard, Audie Matheson-Light.

Maidstone United: John Whitehouse; Sam Bewick, Sam Groombridge, Tom Mills, Tommy Osborne; Karl Murray, Jay Saunders (Alex Waugh 58); Baff Addae, Ellis Green, Alex Flisher; Shaun Welford. Subs not used: Sam Hasler, Brett Fairman, Josh James, Steve Northwood.

• Matchday photos from Steve Terrell
• Man of the Match Poll
• Interview with Jay Saunders

The climax of the Ryman One South season promises to be exciting after The Stones moved back into a play off position with just two games remaining.

With Worthing suffering a defeat away at Ramsgate, Maidstone made sure they took full advantage with a comfortable home win against a Chipstead side who offered little resistance. And Alex Waugh’s strike one minute into stoppage time at the end of the game gave The Stones a three goal lead which ensured that they retained their one goal advantage over Godalming Town and so moved up into fifth place.

The Stones had two opportunities within the opening six minutes with the first arising when Sam Bewick surged forwards into space but his weak shot never troubled Martin Grant and then shortly afterwards Danny Lye lifted a high ball into the box which Shaun Welford headed at the Chipstead keeper.

However, with just eight minutes played The Stones did take the lead when a fine move ended with the ball being swept out to Bewick on the right and his excellent cross was headed into the net by Welford.

Maidstone continued to dominate and with 11 minutes played, Baff Addae got a touch on a long ball forward and Ben Davisson arrived to drive a shot wide of the left hand post. Three minutes later Davisson was involved again when his driven corner went across the box to Welford who saw his side footed effort saved by Grant.

Then on 19 minutes, The Stones doubled their lead when Addae chased a pass forward down the left and cut in towards the area before pulling it back to Bewick who expertly side stepped the Chipstead defenders and drilled the ball past Grant.

Four minutes later the visitors had their first attempt on goal when Jason Goodchild evaded both Tommy Osborne and Graeme Andrews and unleashed a fierce drive which John Whitehouse did well to parry but this was to be the closest Chipstead came to scoring during the first half as Maidstone continued to look the stronger of the two sides.

With 27 minutes gone, Tom Mills found Bewick out on the right with a nice pass and once again Bewick delivered a good cross into the box which this time was met by the leaping Karl Murray but he placed his header straight at Grant.

At times The Stones were playing some neat football during the first half and they put together another decent move on 38 minutes when this time Davisson spread the ball to Osborne who exchanged passes with Bewick before shooting from the edge of the area but unfortunately for Osborne he placed the ball straight at Grant.

Chipstead emerged from the break determined to make things more difficult for The Stones and chances were at a premium in the second period. However, Maidstone had a good chance to score again just after the interval when Addae crossed for Bewick who got a shot away and Welford attempted to divert it into the net only for it to go wide of the left hand post.

Some sloppy play from Maidstone on 59 minutes nearly proved costly as the visitors went close to pulling a goal back. The chance came about when Osborne played the ball to Whitehouse who sliced his clearance up in the air before it fell to Kane Rice who headed the ball into the path of substitute Andrew Dalhouse whose fierce shot flew just over the bar.

With sixteen minutes remaining The Stones could have added a third when Addae did well to move into a central position and he drew a good block from Grant with his resultant shot and then Whitehouse was called into action to punch Alex Wilkes’ cross away but it fell to Rice whose curling effort just cleared the bar.

Then with the game in stoppage time, Maidstone added a third goal which moved them into a play off position when Tom Mills rolled the ball into substitute Alex Waugh who calmly ran into the area and despatched his sixteenth goal of the season past Grant.

Maidstone United: Shaun Welford, Sam Bewick, Alex Waugh

Chipstead: -

Maidstone United: John Whitehouse, Tommy Osborne (Alex Flisher 71), Tom Mills, Sam Groombridge, Graeme Andrews, Danny Lye, Ben Davisson (Ellis Green 78), Sam Bewick, Shaun Welford, (Alex Waugh 89) Baff Addae, Karl Murray. Subs not used: Sam Hasler, Josh James.

Chipstead: Martin Grant, Steve Newman (Fabian Batchelor 60), Kane Rice, Matt York, Rob Watkins, Ellis Conroy (Alex Wilkes 45), Bruce Hogg, Russell Bedford, Jason Goodchild, Luke Coleman, Callum O’Shea (Andrew Dalhouse 45). Subs not used: Alec Brown.

• Matchday Pictures from Steve Terrell
• Man of the Match Poll
• Interview with Jay Saunders

At this stage of the season if players aren’t fit they are never going to be and so the training session was all short and sharp stuff to keep the boys ticking over. We got them playing plenty of games with lots of shooting practise which will hopefully pay off during our final three matches of the season.

Everyone is up for the game tomorrow. If the players weren’t then I would think something was wrong with them because every game between now and the end of the season is big for us as we try and secure a play off position.

We do have quite a few knocks and niggles in the squad at the moment but that is normal for this stage of the season. Alex Flisher should be available after he made a substitute appearance on Monday. Unfortunately Alex broke his thumb and damaged his nail at work this week but hopefully it will be strapped up so he can play tomorrow.

Steve Northwood will be unavailable as he has a commitment which he made before he joined us. I won’t be able to play either as I am serving a two game suspension after I was sent off against Merstham. The FA weren’t able to confirm whether I was able to feature or not last weekend as the offence occurred when I wasn’t playing (or on the bench) but was managing. We thought it was best if I didn’t risk playing and that turned out to be the right decision as they got in touch this week and said I wouldn’t be able to play.

It’s very frustrating as after getting through sixty minutes against Walton and Hersham I felt ready to start a game again but the situation sums up my season playing wise.