Ashford v Maidstone

MAIDSTONE United, the Ryman League, Division 1 South champions in waiting, have mobilised their biggest away support of the season to descend on Ashford's Homelands tonight where they could clinch promotion.

Joint-manager Alan Walker believes victory this evening will assure the club of Premier Division football next season following the club's meteoric rise from the Kent League.

"We are hoping to take all of our fans to Ashford and hopefully there will be hundreds," he said. "I believe a win tonight will make us 99 per cent certain of promotion and the championship.

"Only goal difference could upset things, so nobody is counting their chickens. It's a big night for the club."

Standing in their way are a much-improved Ashford who recently climbed out of the relegation zone with a series of good performances.

"We have done our homework and had them watched twice," said Walker. "We are fully aware of the improvement they've made."

Walker has recalled Peter Overton from Kent League Lordswood and Lee Sperrin from Kent County League club Bly Spartans to bolster the squad who will be without the injured striker Simon Austin and central midfielder Jason Barton who is unavailable owing to work commitments.