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News - April 2006

29th April 2006. 9.00am

After the euphoria of sealing the league title last Saturday, The Stones can finish off their season with a possible Kent League Championship and League Cup double this weekend. Martin Ford's VCD Athletic stand in the way of Lloyd Hume and his side and it is a game that Lloyd will be taking very seriously. "We'll be approaching the game seriously, as I think it is imperative that we win this game. I think that there will be a lot of fans at Folkestone for this game following last week's success and we don't want to let them down with a below par performance. The bottom line is, we want to win this cup, not just for ourselves but for the supporters."

However, the task will be made all the more difficult due to two significant injuries that were picked up at Greatness Park last Saturday. Sam Tydeman has not recovered from the hamstring strain that caused him to come off after 40 minutes and Nick Hegley is still troubled by the thigh strain that caused him to be substituted at half time. Neither player will be considered for selection. On top of this, striker Leroy Huggins is ineligible as he did not sign for the club until after the 1st Leg of the semi-final against Hythe Town.

To compensate for these absences, Andy Hart will be called up to the squad and Lloyd Hume will be named as a substitute. Jason Barton will start in midfield due to Tydeman's absence. Hume added "I'm pleased that Jason will get a chance in this game as he has been really unlucky to have missed out in recent weeks. He was playing pretty well for us but in our last few games we played an extra striker which meant that we had to lose a midfield player and unfortunately that was Barts."

We expect this game to be fairly physical, so we trained hard on Wednesday night and that is one of the reasons that I'm on the bench on Saturday rather than maybe one of our youngsters. If needs be, I know that I'll be able to do a decent job for half an hour or so."

20th April 2006. 4.00pm

It's the final day of the season on Saturday and it's going to be a nailbiter with Stones needing a victory and hoping that Beckenham drop points at Erith & Belvedere to claim the Kent League title.

Thankfully, with the FA confirming a five league structure for next season, Stones are assured of promotion, but the League title would be the icing on the cake and well deserved with just two defeats in the league all season.

But as ever, Alan Walker was concentrating on the forthcoming game with Sevenoaks and looking for another professional performance to ensure the three points on Saturday; "With the likelihood of a big crowd, Sevenoaks will certainly be up for this game and once again we will need to be professional and match that desire on the pitch to be assured of the three points. We have a job to do Saturday and that is to get the three points to put us in a position to take advantage of any slip ups by Beckenham.

We know that the nerves are beginning to show and I still believe that they will struggle at Erith & Belvedere so we can't afford to slip up this weekend. In the past few games the lads have been professional in their performances, which showed with Monday's comfortable win over VCD where we maintained our composure whilst VCD could not and that bodes well for the cup final in just over a weeks time. But sadly it is now out of our hands."

The Stones have one minor injury worry ahead of Saturday's game with Leroy Huggins looking to shake off a slight hamstring strain to be in contention for a starting place on Saturday. But apart from that, it's a full strength side for what is set to be a day of celebration whatever the outcome of the title chase. With estimates of a crowd of over 500, there will certainly a party atmosphere where our hosts Sevenoaks have made all the preparations necessary to ensure the day goes smoothly and hopefully the ongoing celebrations too, should the title return to Maidstone!

Finally, if you're not able to make the game, we'll be bringing you live updates on The Stones Official Website together with the all important goal updates from Erith & Belvedere.

16th April 2006. 11.30am

Stones go into Monday's game with VCD knowing nothing less than victory is required to keep the pressure on Beckenham in the chase for the league title.

It's also the Stones final home league game of the season, and it's hoped that a big crowd will be there to support the players as they seek to gain maximum points against a strong VCD side.

In the last encounter between the two sides, the Stones struggled to a 1-1 at VCDs temporary home at Harrow Meadow, but with a full strength squad available and the recent addition of Leroy Huggins, the Stones go into the game confident that they have a side capable of beating VCD. VCD themselves have had a hectic week having had to play 3 games last week, and that pressure has begun to show with 2 straight defeats, but Lloyd Hume knows that VCD may well have been saving themselves for this game as they aim to put a dent in our title chances.

The permutations for the last two games are endless, although making up the goal difference on Beckenham is probably now out of reach. However, as we know from previous seasons, anything can happen and to ensure Beckenham have to fight all the way to the end, Stones will be going all out for the 3 points on Monday.

11th April 2006. 11.30am

Wednesday night could be an historic night for the Stones should they beat Deal Town.

Three points would guarantee a top two finish, which will be enough to see the Stones promoted to Step 4 of the non-league pyramid. Victory would also take the Stones back to the top of the league as they attempt to push Beckenham all the way for the Kent League title.

But Alan Walker played down these facts as he concentrated on the task in hand of beating Deal on Wednesday night; "Saturday was very disappointing in terms of our opposition, but you can only beat what is put in front of you. I said in my post-match interview that it was disappointing we didn't score more and put an even bigger dent in Beckenham's goal difference, but at the end of the day, I don't think it will come down to goal difference as I think Beckenham will slip up in one of their last 3 games."

As for Deal Town, they are a side of contrast, they can put in some good performances but then can get beaten heavily. We saw how good they can be when they beat us last season, and when we played them earlier in the season, they started off very well but then faded. So we have to be aware that they can pull off a shock, and we will have to give to 100% to ensure we win and get the 3 points."

The team news for Wednesday is encouraging with Jimmy Strouts back in the squad after missing Saturday's game through injury. After being rested Saturday, Lynden Rowland will be assessed prior to the game before a decision is made on the starting eleven. But apart from that the Stones will once again be at full strength.

The players will have certainly been encouraged by the rapidly growing crowds with another bumper crowd of 401 being treated to 9 goals on Saturday. This pushed our average up to 327 for the season taking us further into the top 200 supported clubs in the country and leaving us equal with our old friends Bishops Stortford of the Conference South. So lets keep that climb going with another big attendance Wednesday night where your support will be as important as ever as we aim to finally get the much sought after promotion...nearly there!

7th April 2006. 10.30pm

With Ryan Royston having fully recovered from a dead-leg, Stones will onece again be at full strength for the visit of Sporting Bengal.

However coach Alan Walker was wary of Saturday's opponents; "People think it will be an easy game but they were 2-0 up against Erith last weekend, and we know the problems we had against them. So we will show them respect and not be expecting an easy ride."

The only injury worry for Saturday is the groin strain of Lynden Rowland which he is still to shake off.

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