If Maidstone United make the play offs at the end of the season they may look back on the victory at Merstham as one of the key results of their campaign.

With just thirteen minutes remaining of this absorbing encounter, Merstham finally forced an equaliser that they had been threatening during the second half but instead of capitulating, The Stones scored three times in the remaining time to ensure that they have now only lost once in their last ten league games.

Maidstone looked strong in the first half and they forced a succession of corners during the opening minutes. From one of these, Tommy Osborne crossed for Alex Waugh who was in a good positions but he placed his header high and wide of the goal.

Meanwhile, Mersham’s first opportunity of the game came on seven minutes when Adam Moriarty found space down the left hand side and he sent a deep cross into the box where it was met by Roscoe Dsane whose wild shot never troubled John Whitehouse in the Maidstone goal.

Then with 12 minutes played, The Stones were awarded another corner which Ellis Green played to Tommy Osborne and his driven cross came out to Graeme Andrews who chested the ball down before volleying it past David Wilkinson.

Ten minutes later the home side went close to equalising through David Graves following Fabio Saravia’s corner before Baff Addae shot wide and Ellis Green’s free-kick from 25 yards just missed the left hand post.

With 35 minutes gone, Alex Flisher played a delightful ball over the top of the Merstham defence for Waugh to chase and with Wilkinson drawn from his goal, Waugh attempted to lob the keeper but the home defence comfortably cleared the shot. Then just seconds later, Saravia let fly from a central position close to the penalty area and his effort clipped the outside of the left hand post.

Shortly before half time, Michael Phillips found Waugh who knocked the ball past Wilkinson once again and this time Addae gave chase but his cross shot ran across the face of goal without a Maidstone player being close enough to get a vital touch.

The Stones had a couple of half chances at the beginning of the second period but it was then the home side’s turn to look for a goal and they nearly achieved it on 51 minutes when Dsane’s first effort was heading in until Andrews got the ball off the line and from the rebound, Osborne made an important interception as once again Dsane threatened to score.

Shortly afterwards, Graves went close with a header from a corner and then Maidstone had a spell of keeping the ball well which ended with Flisher shooting wide from just outside the box.

With an hour gone, The Stones were involved in some last ditch defending which unfortunately saw Michael Phillips sustain suspected knee ligament damage and he was replaced by Karl Murray who was making his debut for Maidstone.

Merstham kept up the pressure and on 66 minutes Dsane once again caused the visitors problems at the back and this time Whitehouse made a good save to parry his effort and The Stones then defended resolutely to deny Saravia with the follow up shot.

However, the home side finally equalised on 77 minutes when substitute Dean Gunner got down the right and whipped in a deep cross which was headed in at the back post by Saravia. But the scores were not level for long as Merstham switched off as Flisher hurled a long thrown into the box and Addae did well to power his way through a crowded area to bundle in his eleventh goal of the season.

And things were to get even better for The Stones as on 81 minutes, they worked hard to gain possession and Flisher slipped the ball into substitute Shaun Welford who showed great composure to advance into the area and beat Wilkinson to give Maidstone a more comfortable lead.

However, The Stones’ nerves were set on edge again with just four minutes remaining when Flisher conceded a free-kick in the middle of the pitch which was pumped forward by Saravia and Maidstone’s defence were guilty of watching as Wright found the back of the net with a header.

Whitehouse then kept The Stones in front with a decent save to deny Wright again after Merstham had attacked down the left and then with 90 minutes played, Addae put Welford in on goal with an excellent pass and this time Wilkinson did well to deny the Maidstone striker.

After the injury to Phillips, The Stones then had to endure nearly seven minutes of stoppage time but they closed the game out well and Addae had a chance to extend their lead before Flisher made sure of the three points when he was one on one with Wilkinson and although his first effort was saved he confidently converted the rebound.

Merstham: Fabio Saravia 77, Liam Wright 86

Maidstone United: Graeme Andrews 12, Baff Addae 79, Shaun Welford 81, Alex Flisher 90

Merstham: David Wilkinson, Robert Carter (Dean Gunner 45), Peter Wedgeworth, David Graves, Justin Hemmings (Colin Hartburn 82), James Evans, Sam Tucknott (James Fray 67), Adam Moriarty, Fabio Saravia, Roscoe Dsane, Liam Wright. Subs not used: Elliot Jones, Tommy Youle.

Maidstone United: John Whitehouse, Sam Bewick, Tom Mills, Tommy Osborne, Graeme Andrews, Danny Lye, Ellis Green, Michael Phillips (Karl Murray 62), Alex Waugh (Shaun Welford 78), Baff Addae, Alex Flisher. Subs not used: Sam Groombridge, Sam Hasler, Marc Powell.

• Man of the Match Poll
• Interview with Jay Saunders

The clubs, who either use or plan to use such pitches are setting up a contact group, 3G4US, aimed at promoting the merits of 3G artificial surfaces, as well as providing practical information and experience to other clubs interested in installing these pitches in the future.

The group has been put together by Ryman (Isthmian) League club Maidstone United, who are currently building a new stadium with an artificial pitch – the first club in the country to do so from the outset.

Maidstone United Director Oliver Ash said: “Many clubs have already installed these modern pitches, which play just like good grass pitches and are benefiting in many ways from them. The gains to the clubs’ communities from extensive use of the playing facilities as well as the economic benefit to clubs are now well documented. We certainly want to encourage more clubs to consider installing them.”

Ash says there has been interest from clubs such as Wycombe Wanderers of the Football League and Alloa Athletic of the Scottish League, as well as Durham City and Folkestone Invicta among semi-professional clubs.

He added: “There are many different and excellent reasons why a club might wish to go down the 3G route. It may be a choice or it may be, in some cases, a question of economic survival. We want the 3G4US clubs to share their practical experiences of installation, construction, suppliers and maintenance and to promote the merits and advantages of these pitches. We are starting the ball rolling by inviting clubs to our new ground in March.”

One problem, however, is that current rules prevent matches above a certain league level being played on artificial turf. This is a disincentive for ambitious clubs to put in expensive pitches only to be blocked if they are in a position to be promoted to a higher level.

With the latest consultation from the Football League and much positive publicity recently concerning the quality of the artificial surfaces, it seems only a question of time before the door is once again open to artificial turf in the Football League and FA Cup.

29 year old Murray joins The Stones from Blue Square Bet South side Sutton United. He lists amongst his previous clubs Shrewsbury Town (for whom he made over 100 Football League appearances), Woking, Grays Athletic and Carshalton Athletic.

Saunders said “I’ve been looking to add to the squad for a while now and when Karl became available I knew that he was the kind of player that we needed here at Maidstone. I’ve played against him a few times in the Conference and he has always impressed me. I’m sure that he’ll be a significant asset to us.”

Murray will make his Stones debut in Tuesday night’s Ryman League fixture away to Merstham.

With the absence of Tom Cackett through injury, Sam Hasler and Marc Powell, who were with the first team after impressing Tuesday night against East Thurrock, Mark Swift and regular captain Matt Garner; Pete Gill was to captain a team made up of three emergency signings and two under-18 players.

The young Stones got into the swing of things very early on with Connor Heffernan, new signing Josh James and Steve Elliot controlling the game in midfield and young defenders Rhys Fox and Matt Mills especially keeping new skipper Pete Gill bored. The deadlock was broken when, another new signing, Miles Cornwall unleashed a fierce shot to which the Folkestone goalkeeper could only parry into his own net.

Man of the Match Rhys Fox could have opened the scoring minutes earlier as his free header at the far post managed to evade the Folkestone goal, however his blushes where saved when Nathan Faulkes kept up his fine scoring form with another goal and Miles Cornwall snatched another with a calm finish past the onrushing goalkeeper.

The game seemed to die throughout the second half as Folkestone became more and more direct which didn’t allow Maidstone to be as fluid as they were in the first half. However, the Stones’ patience paid off as Nathan Faulkes bagged another and the impressive Rhys Fox scored a towering header, at the second time of asking, to wrap up a great afternoon for the reserves. There was also a great performance for Matt Mills on his first Reserve team start.

Reserve team coach Nathan White said: “We’re over the moon with the result and performance. We had the likes of Charlie Smith, Matt Mills and Sam Small from the under-18s team, who didn’t look out of place in the team. Jim and I get more out of seeing those young players involved with the Reserves, as well as the likes of, to name just a few, Sam Hasler, Sean Johnson and Marc Powell to be involved with a great result at Dulwich with the first team. It shows the club has a system and a policy to produce young players which can only be good for everyone in the long run.”

In other news, ex-coach to the reserves, Matt Fry has signed a contract with League 2 ‘sleeping giants’ Bradford City until the end of the season. Matt was with the reserves during his recovery period after injury back at the end of last year. We all at Maidstone United would like to wish Matty all the best and thank him for his time to help develop the players.

Team: Gill (c) Mills, Fox, Nicholls, Adamson, Greenwood, Elliot (Smith 75), Haffernan(Small 75), Josh James, Faulkes, Cornwall (Simon 58),

After a three week break due to the freezing conditions, Maidstone United made a welcome return to league action as they took part in only their second nil nil draw of the season at fellow play off contenders Dulwich Hamlet.

With Sam Groombridge unavailable, Jay Saunders changed things around in defence with Tom Mills partnering Graeme Andrews in the centre and Tommy Osborne moving over to left back so Sam Bewick could play on the right. And with the back four looking solid in front of John Whitehouse who enjoyed an impressive debut in goal, The Stones did well to largely contain a Dulwich side who looked dangerous when venturing forwards.

The first half was a tight affair and on 14 minutes Maidstone had an opportunity when Baff Addae pushed forwards and released Alex Flisher who whipped in an early cross, which just flashed past Alex Waugh inside the area.

Then on 18 minutes, Ellis Green played a corner to Flisher who was close to the edge of the area and his shot was off target but it struck the chest of a Dulwich player and Phil Wilson in The Hamlet goal made a fine save to prevent the ball from entering the net.

The play quickly switched to the other end and Graeme Andrews made a vital interception to deny Ishmail Kamara and then the Maidstone defender played an excellent ball out of defence to Baff Addae who exchanged passes with Ellis Green before shooting into the side netting.

Shortly afterwards a long throw from Flisher was met by Waugh who saw his flicked header bounce just wide of the right hand post and then on 28 minutes the home side went close to opening the scoring when Peter Adeniyi’s shot deflected just over the bar.

It was then Maidstone’s turn to threaten after they battled well in midfield and Waugh moved towards the edge of the box but he shot at Wilson who gathered the ball at the second attempt.

Ethan Pinnock then saw his attempt on goal deflect over the bar before Dulwich had a good opportunity to score when Frankie Sawyer squared the ball to Kamara inside the area and his effort thumped just wide of the left hand post.

Then on the stroke of half time Maidstone kept possession well and Danny Lye cushioned a header out to Green on the right who lifted a cross into the box where Waugh was waiting at the back post and his header was saved by Wilson.

Dulwich emerged from the break the stronger of the two sides and on 46 minutes, Tom Mills could only head the ball to Nyren Clunis who drove his shot towards goal and Whitehouse got down well to push it wide.

Seven minutes later, The Hamlet went even closer when the ball came to Sawyer whose fierce effort from just outside the box looked to be heading in until Whitehouse got a touch to divert it onto the post and then the Maidstone defence reacted quickly to deny Junior Kadi who tried to get to the rebound.

Shortly afterwards Kadi had another good chance when he gained possession inside the area but he put the ball wide of the post and then a neat move from Maidstone involving Flisher and Addae ended with Addae pulling the ball back to Waugh who could not hit the target from close to the edge of the area.

A torrential downpour then made the playing conditions even more difficult and ensured that chances on goal became rarer and it wasn’t until the 71^st minute that Dulwich threatened again when Michael Phillips conceded a free-kick just outside the box and substitute Kevin James drove the ball into the side netting.

Then with just five minutes remaining it looked as though James had won the game for Dulwich Hamlet when his shot from about 18 yards deflected off Sam Bewick and was heading into the net until Whitehouse intervened with an important save to tip the ball wide.

Dulwich Hamlet: -

Maidstone United: -

Dulwich Hamlet: Phil Wilson, Kalvin Morath-Gibbs (Charles Ofuso Hene 45), Dean Carpenter, Peter Adeniyi, Aarron Snelling, Lewis Goncalves, Nyren Clunis (Sol Pinnock 74), Junior Kadi (Kevin James 68), Ishmail Kamara, Frankie Sawyer, Ethan Pinnock. Subs not used: Andre Costa, Francis Duku.

Maidstone United: John Whitehouse, Sam Bewick, Tom Mills, Tommy Osborne, Graeme Andrews, Danny Lye, Ellis Green, Michael Phillips, Alex Waugh (Shaun Welford 59), Baff Addae, Alex Flisher (Sam Hasler 87). Subs not used: Rob Lyall, Sean Johnson, Marc Powell.

• Man of the Match Poll
• Interview with Jay Saunders

The steel work for the main stand is due to be delivered next Thursday, so the shell of the 400-seater grandstand will soon start to take shape.

• To celebrate the club’s homecoming, why not donate a seat for the main stand or buy a brick for the Wall of Fame. Both fundraisers will help the Bring The Stones Home Association towards its £50,000 target…Download a form

Photos from Brendan Donnelly.

The tickets for the club’s homecoming cover all 21 Ryman League matches for the 2012/13 season at The Gallagher Stadium. There are main stand or ground tickets available. An adult season ticket for the main stand costs £198 (equivalent to £9.42 per match) or ground costs £180 (equivalent to £8.57 per match).

Season tickets for concessions (60+ and students) and young people aged 11 to 16 are also available. Children aged under 11 will be admitted free when accompanied by a fee-paying adult.

Application forms can be downloaded from this website or tickets can be purchased direct from the online club shop.

Existing season ticket holders and people who have donated a seat or bought a brick at the new stadium were given first opportunity to buy theirs.

Club chief executive Bill Williams said: “Twenty-four years since Maidstone United last owned a ground in Kent’s county town, we are delighted to offer season tickets for our homecoming. This will be a momentous occasion for Maidstone and I hope supporters old and new, and those who have never seen the club play in the town will come and join us.

“Our season tickets for 2012/13 offer excellent value for money, giving adult admission for less than a tenner per match. The early sales to existing season tickets holders and those who donated a seat or bought a brick have been really encouraging.”

In addition to season tickets, Maidstone United have a limited number of Vice Presidents’ Club tickets still available. Please call the club office on 01622 753817 for more information.

The Gallagher Stadium, off James Whatman Way – opposite The White Rabbit Pub, is the first in the country to be built with a 3G pitch. The state-of-the-art synthetic surface will enable the facility to be used by the club’s Ryman League team, their 30+ community teams, as well as other local clubs, businesses, community groups and schools. The £2.5million facility will also be the home of the Maidstone United Academy – a post-16 education centre.

34-year-old Whitehouse has represented a host of teams during his career and these include Dover Athletic, Dartford, Ashford Town, Fisher Athletic and Chatham Town.

Whitehouse is expected to make his Stones debut in the promotion battle with Dulwich Hamlet at Champion Hill this weekend.