Ibby Akanbi knows he made the right decision holding out for a deal at Maidstone.

Akanbi had other options in pre-season but gambled on picking up something at the Gallagher.

It happened late, with the former Crystal Palace youngster joining days before the opening game against Weymouth.

But it was worth the risk as the striker scored his first goal in the win over Chelmsford on Monday.

Akanbi said: "I'm finally off the mark - better late than never.

"I came in late during pre-season but the boys made me feel welcome and I really like it here.

"I've learned so much from John (Still) and Hakan (Hayrettin) in a short space of time.

"I want to keep improving as a player and this is the right place for me.

"I had other options but this one seemed right.

"It's a great club with great fans and it's so well-run with great people behind the scenes. It's perfect."

Akanbi struck four minutes after his introduction as a second-half substitute, bundling home after Nana Kyei kept the ball alive from a corner.

It was a special moment in front of the Genco Stand as Maidstone took a 3-1 lead and a fourth would follow as United secured a first home win of the season.

Akanbi said: "I thought the ball had gone off but luckily Nana kept it in and I thought, 'yes, mate' and got a tap-in.

"Every goal counts and that's the best end to score at, where most of the fans are.

"It was a great feeling to score my first goal - I'm buzzing."

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The Stones have options in attack, boosted by the arrival of Matt McClure a fortnight ago, while Jake Embery is closing in on a return after breaking his collarbone during pre-season.

Akanbi welcomes the competition and feels the team will benefit.

He said: "Competition brings out the best in all of us.

"Even though we're all fighting to start in the team, we all get on well and it's improving us as players.

"The team comes before myself and anything that helps the team is a good thing.

"As long as the team does well, everything else comes after that."

Maidstone are coming good after a slow start, boosted by a big team spirit.

Akanbi said: "Even though we didn't have the best start, we knew our team was going to do well.

"It was a matter of time before everything started clicking and now everyone is seeing what we've been seeing in training and how hard everyone is working.

"It's a great bunch of lads, led by an amazing professional in George Elokobi, who is showing us every day how to be a professional and that's spreading round the whole team.

"There's great togetherness here. I don't think I've been at a club that's so tight-knit.

"There's no little groups anywhere, everyone's together and it's starting to show on the pitch."

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