In what is proving to be another tense battle for supremacy in National League South, ‘Fortress Plainmoor’ could make the difference against Maidstone tomorrow.
The 2024/25 National League South finale may have been the closest in living memory – with three points covering 1st to 6th going into the final round of matches – but the current campaign isn’t proving to be any easier to predict, with the value of one win currently separating the NLS top-four.
Tomorrow’s clash between 3rd-placed United and 8th-placed Maidstone is just one of a number of intriguing match-ups between two sides who harbour realistic aspirations of Tier 5 football next term, with Paul Wotton’s side hoping that home advantage will once again help The Gulls come out on top.
Boasting the best home record in the division, and having clocked up eye-catching wins over the likes of Worthing and Weston-super-Mare along the way, the Yellow Army will need to be in full voice on Saturday, as United take on a team that they have only beaten once in twelve outings during the past decade – in fact, ten of those games have ended in Stones victories.
Having secured a 1-1 draw at the Gallagher Stadium back in August thanks to a late Jordan Young penalty, Wotton’s side will be looking to begin to rewrite the record books tomorrow, and secure a third-successive victory in the process.
Elsewhere, although Worthing currently leading the way with 49 points from their 25 games, once again there is a whole host of handily-placed teams within touching distance, ready to capitalise on any potential slip-ups from Adam Hinshelwood’s pace-setters. The Rebels may be favourites to come out on top in their West Sussex derby with 7th-placed Horsham tomorrow, but they will have to be on their guard against the team currently occupying the final Play-Off berth, with The Hornets arguably the division’s surprise package so far.
2nd-placed Weston-super-Mare, meanwhile, will be tasked with setting their sights back on league action, after seeing their record-breaking FA Cup run finally come to an end following a brave 3-2 reverse at League Two Grimsby Town last weekend. Tomorrow the Seagulls will be making the trip to Chelmsford, and although the Essex side may have lost as many games as they have won (ten), they will surely back themselves to chase down the Play-Off pack, with valuable games-in-hand still to be played.
A dip in form has seen Hornchurch (4th) surrender top spot in recent weeks, but anyone who witnessed their victory at Plainmoor earlier this season will have seen enough evidence that Daryl McMahon’s side are in the thick of the promotion battle on merit. With the Urchins hosting struggling Eastbourne tomorrow, many will view this as the perfect opportunity for the home side to get back to winning ways.
To book your tickets for tomorrow’s big match at Plainmoor, click HERE
United v Maidstone | Saturday 17/01/26 3pm KO | Plainmoor TQ1 3PS
