Eastbourne Borough will be looking to carry on their good form when they travel to Maidstone United on Tuesday night in the National League South.
The Sports have won six of their last seven games over all competitions, and will be looking to go again at Gallagher Stadium.
However, the Stones have proved to be a tough one to crack historically – with Borough winning just three of the previous nine head-to-head meetings.
But Adam Murray’s side go into the game looking to rewrite that history on the back of a last-gasp win over Bath City.
With Storm Bert to contend with, it was difficult conditions for both teams at The ReachTV Stadium, and despite the Sports looking to get on the front foot without, Bath set out to be content with a point.
But in the fifth minute of stoppage time, George Alexander fired home from close range for his tenth league goal of the campaign and give Borough all three points.
The Opposition
Maidstone United come into the game on the back of a weekend off with their match at Salisbury postponed just over an hour before kick off.
George Elokobi’s side have had an inconsistent start to the National League South, going into the game in 14thspot – eleven points off the Sports in third having played two games fewer.
It’s been a case of drawing a few more games than they would have liked so far, with eight of their 16 games ending with the points shared so far.
The Stones, though, have only lost three games so far in the league this season – but they did bow out of the FA Trophy away at Isthmian Premier side Horsham in recent weeks.
Having not lost in the league since September 3rd, the Stones will be looking to keep their good league run going and turn one point into three.
Last time out, Sam Corne’s stoppage time strike saw them earn a point away at Bath City, drawing 3-3 at Twerton Park. Ben Brookes and Crawley Town loanee Antony Papadopoulos had earlier given Maidstone a 2-1 lead, before the Romans fought back to lead until the closing stages.
Head to Head
The last meeting between the two teams is a game few can forget. The Sports, fighting relegation, ended with nine men as Maidstone scored three times in the last five minutes to secure a 5-1 win.
Away from the bizarre refereeing calls which saw the sending offs of Sam Beard and Pierce Bird, it is a game also remembered for the latter’s spectacular strike which had put Borough on level terms in the first half.
Whilst Borough’s record at Gallagher Stadium isn’t great, they did win there back in 2021/22, with James Hammond and Dom Hutchinson on target in a 2-0 win back in October 2021.
Ticket Information
Kick off 19:45 (Gates open at 18:15)
Gallagher Stadium, James Whatman Way, Maidstone, ME14 1LQ
Adults £17.00 – Concessions (65+/students) £13.00 – Youth (11-16) £7.00 – Juniors (under 11) Free, with a paying adult.
