Match Preview

Match preview: Maidstone United (H)

17 May 2025

Tomorrow, Luke Garrard’s men host fellow promotion hopefuls Maidstone United in the Vanarama National League South Promotion Final, kicking off at 12:30.

Last Season for the Stones

The Stones suffered play-off heartbreak last season, conceding an 89th-minute Ollie Pearce winner to exit at the semi-final stage away at Worthing. The Kent-based side finished the regular season fourth with 83 points, while also enjoying an incredible FA Cup campaign, recording wins against Barrow, Stevenage, and Ipswich Town before their run ended in the fifth round at Coventry City.

Form Guide

The Stones have enjoyed an extremely strong end to the 2024/25 season, suffering just one defeat in their previous 13 games, with seven wins during that run. This excellent form has brought immense confidence, helping them navigate two tough away fixtures in their play-off campaign so far – at Worthing and Eastbourne Borough. A win tomorrow afternoon would see the Stones join Braintree Town as the only two sides to earn promotion from the Vanarama National League South after finishing seventh.

In their previous outing, 10-man Maidstone United defeated Eastbourne Borough in East Sussex to earn their spot in the Vanarama National League Promotion Final. Although the Sports controlled the majority of possession throughout the game, goals from Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong and Aaron Blair, either side of half-time, were enough to seal the win.

Last Time We Met

Wood suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat on the road to play-off rivals Maidstone United in Kent, a result that puts their promotion hopes in serious jeopardy. Sol Wanjau-Smith struck twice, with Ben Brookes converting a penalty and George Fowler adding a fourth to complete a dominant display.

Despite a promising start, Wood lost momentum after an early injury delay, allowing the Stones to seize control. Wanjau-Smith’s two first-half headers and Brookes’ spot-kick gave the hosts a commanding lead before the break. Although Wood had more possession after the restart, they created little, as Maidstone’s defence comfortably dealt with their efforts, and Fowler’s 65th-minute finish sealed a convincing win.

One to Watch

Maidstone United talisman Aaron Blair will be full of confidence tomorrow afternoon after scoring the winner at Eastbourne Borough in the visitors’ previous outing. The Stones’ number nine joined from Braintree Town last summer after contributing 20 goals to their promotion campaign. This term, he has shown similar form, with 15 goals and five assists in the Vanarama National League South so far, and will be looking to add to that tally against the Wood.

The Wood

Luke Garrard’s men will be aiming to bounce back to the fifth tier at the first time of asking, following relegation last season. The Wood ended the regular season top of the form guide, and that momentum has continued into the play-offs, thanks to an incredible comeback against Dorking Wanderers and a professional performance against second-placed Torquay United, earning them a place in tomorrow’s final.

In our last match, we returned from Devon with a place in the Vanarama Promotion Final after a narrow 1-0 win against Torquay United. A 59th-minute Matt Rush finish was enough to defeat the Gulls in the semi-final. An impressive all-round performance at Plainmoor will put the Wood in good stead for tomorrow’s clash against Maidstone United.

Pre-match interview

Can’t join us tomorrow afternoon?

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