Eastbourne Borough travel to The Gallagher Stadium looking to upset the form table and return to winning ways.
Maidstone United are unbeaten in their last 11 games across all competitions, including Saturday’s 2-0 win against Chesham United in the First Round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Borough meanwhile, had lost just two of their last six games before coming undone at Chippenham Town on Saturday.
The Opposition
After suffering relegation back to the National League South last term, George Elokobi’s side took a while to find their feet this season.
But a run of eight wins and three draws across all competitions in their last 11 outings means the Stones are one of the league’s form teams.
The latest of win came on Saturday when they saw off Southern League side Chesham United in the First Round of the Emirates FA Cup. Devonte Aransibia scored the opening goal before turning provider to Levi Amantchi who bagged his 14th goal of the season.
Their reward for the win on the road is a home tie against League Two Barrow in December.
However, the Stones will be looking for a return to winning ways in the league after a run of three draws in a row against Farnborough, Weston-super-Mare (both 1-1) and Welling United (0-0).
Last Time Out
Borough endured a difficult afternoon at Hardenhuish Park on Saturday, but it started so well. Shooting down the slope at Chippenham, the Sports controlled the game in the early stages and were well worth their lead when Fletcher Holman fired home.
But after going in front, the Sports failed to press home their advantage. Caine Bradbury’s free-kick just before half-time changed Mark Beard’s team talk, and the hosts went on to be the better team after the break.
Matt McClure fired home from the spot to give them the lead, before Bradbury’s second put Chippenham 3-1 to the good.
However, Leone Gravata’s second goal in as many games got the Sports back in it, but only for Craig Fasanmade to score on the break in stoppage time.
Head to Head
Games between the Stones and the Sports have been tight affairs over the years. Maidstone have never beaten Borough by more than one goal, whilst the overall head-to-head record is even ahead of tonight’s fixture.
Over the seven games they’ve met, it’s three wins apiece – with one draw. In the Stones’ last season in the National South in 2021/22, the away team won on both occasions.
James Hammond and Dom Hutchinson goals saw Danny Bloor’s men win 2-0 at Gallagher Stadium in October 2021, before a Jack Barham hat-trick gave Maidstone a narrow 3-2 win at Priory Lane in February 2022. Charley Kendall scored a brace for the Sports that afternoon.
Ticket Prices
Adults: £17, Concessions (65+/students): £13, Youth (11-16): £7 and Under 11s are free with a paying adult.
To secure a seat in the Manchett Stand, supporters will have to pay an additional £3 subject to availability.
Turnstiles open from 6.15pm tonight ahead of the 7.45pm kick off.
How to Follow
Supporters who can’t make the trip to Kent this evening can follow the Sports’ progress across our social media channels, with live match updates on our X channel (@EBFCTheSports).
