Salisbury travel to Kent this Saturday as the Vanarama National League South enters its final two months of the season.
Brian Dutton’s side are looking over their shoulder just four points above the relegation zone with twelve games left to play before the end of the season.
Earlier in the season, when these two sides met at the Ray Mac, Maidstone continued their then-unbeaten away run at the start of the season, winning 2-0 in mid-December. Two goals from Aaron Blair, with one in each half, enough to see the visitors to three points.
The game at Maidstone is the first of two in three days. Salisbury will also travel to Essex on Monday evening to face Aveley.
Salisbury are on a tricky run of results, with no wins in the last four matches since winning away at Weston-super-Mare on Tuesday, 11th February.
On Tuesday evening, a lacklustre first half left Salisbury with too much to do in the second half, and they lost 2-1 at home to Bath City. This followed a good performance away at Worthing, where one of the favourites to win the league took 77 minutes to break down the Whites’ resolve and overturn Salisbury’s early goal.
Brian Dutton was scathing in his post-match interview, saying the performance wasn’t good enough and demanded more from his players.
Maidstone have also won one of their last five fixtures and currently sit in the final playoff place in the league table. They beat Bath City last Saturday at home but then lost to a single goal away at Eastbourne Borough on Tuesday evening.
A goal midway through the second half from George Alexander was enough to give Eastbourne the win as they look to keep pressure on Dorking Wanderers at the top of the table.
In their recent run of results, Maidstone have lost away to Slough Town and at home to Avelely, as well as a goalless draw away at Hemel Hempstead Town. The only goals in the last five games came in the win against Bath City.
Maidstone manager George Elokobi thought his side played well but could not test Eastbourne’s ‘keeper enough.
Both Maidstone and Salisbury will both be keen to pick up points from the match for very different reasons. Maidstone to continue their pursuit of promotion and Salisbury to stay away from the relegation places.
For supporters not able to make the game, there will be full match commentary with Ian Pearson and Andy Munns on Salisbury Radio Sport from around 2:50 pm. You can listen on the website https://www.salisburyfc.co.uk/live/, by asking an Amazon smart speaker to ‘Play Salisbury Radio Sport’ or on the Salisbury Radio App.
Travelling Supporter Information (from the Maidstone United Website):
Ticket prices:
- Adults – £17
- Concessions – £13
- Youth (11-16 year olds) – £7
- Junior (Under 11) Free
There is a stand seat for £3 in addition to the above prices.
Travelling by car:
M20 (junction 6) and M2 (junction 3). Follow signs to Maidstone on the A229. At the White Rabbit roundabout, take the third exit on to James Whatman Way.
Please note: on first team matchdays, parking within the stadium is reserved. Passes have been provided to all those who are parking there. These will be checked on the road leading down to the gates. Please do not go to James Whatman Way unless you have a pre-reserved parking pass.
Other car parks (pay and display) are located at Invicta House (weekends only, five minute walk), Maidstone East Train Station (seven minute walk) and Fremlin Walk (ten minute walk).
Fancy a walk along the River Medway on match days? Park at Lockmeadow Centre on Barker Road (ME16 8LW). Cross Lockmeadow Millennium Bridge and pass All Saints Church and the Archbishops’ Palace, along the towpath to the Gallagher Stadium.
Travelling by train:
There are two mainline train station within walking distance of the Gallagher Stadium. Maidstone East is on the London/Ashford International line and Maidstone Barracks is on the Medway Valley Line.
Other information:
What time do the gates open?
On Saturday afternoons, gates open at 12:30 and on Tuesday evenings it’s 18:15.
The Spitfire Lounge is open as soon as the gates are. Come down early on Saturday to watch the live match from Sky Sports/TNT Sports. If there isn’t a game on, chances are we’ll find a sport on another channel.
Are there specific areas for home and away supporters?
It depends on the fixture. Please see match day preview page for more information.
Are there facilities for disabled supporters?
We are committed to making sure that disabled supporters and visitors have as much access as reasonably possible to club facilities and services at the Gallagher Stadium. As a modern venue, it was designed and built to met the access requirements of the time.
The home supporters’ wheelchair areas are in two areas of the ground: Genco Stand and Manchett Main Stand. There are two visiting supporters’ wheelchair user positions, with seats for personal assistants in the Genco Stand. Please contact the club office on 01622 753817 in advance of the match.
Assistance dogs are admitted to the ground, please call in advance, so adequate provision can be made.
On-site car parking is extremely limited. A drop-off facility is available. There are council-run car parks situated near the ground and on-street bays on James Whatman Way. These are chargeable.
What’s within the ground?
As you come through the turnstile at the home end, you’ve got the club shop to your left and the Spitfire Lounge to your right.
Further to the left is an outside bar, pie shop, burger grill, sweet shop and toilets.
At the opposite end, there is The Under Stand Inn, as well as ladies and gents toilets. The TEA Van sells a range of hot dogs and crepes.
The Spitfire Lounge is our match day clubhouse. It opens at the same time as the turnstiles and before most matches there will be a televised game on the big HD screen.
As well as Spitfire Lager, you’ll find draught Spitfire Blonde, Guinness, Strongbow Dark Fruits, Orchard View Apple Cider and Whitstable Pale Ale. There’s also a great selection of bottled beer and cider, spirits, soft drinks, crisps and sweets. The lounge has ladies, gents and disabled toilets.
I’ve heard it’s a non-smoking ground?
That’s correct. E-cigarettes are not allowed either. As well as no smoking, we also ask people to refrain from chewing gum – it’s just to make sure the stadium stays looking its best and is not blighted by bits of chewing gum on the paths.
