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Arsenal goalkeeper Hubert Graczyk beaten from the penalty spot while on loan at Slough Town by Gunners fan and Maidstone United forward Sol Wanjau-Smith

05:00, 08 August 2023

Arsenal fan Sol Wanjau-Smith put his knowledge to good use to fire Maidstone to their first win of the season.

The Stones striker scored their first goal of the new season, equalising from the penalty spot against Slough at the Gallagher before they went on to claim all three points.

Maidstone’s Sol Wanjau-Smith scores from the penalty spot against Slough on Saturday. Picture: Steve Terrell
Maidstone’s Sol Wanjau-Smith scores from the penalty spot against Slough on Saturday. Picture: Steve Terrell

It was a case of Wanjau-Smith’s homework paying off as he slotted his penalty past goalkeeper Hubert Graczyk, who is on a season-long loan at Slough from Premier League runners-up Arsenal.

“I’m an Arsenal fan and the keeper plays for Arsenal,” explained Wanjau-Smith. “I looked on Instagram and saw the penalties he saved from right-footers, he always dived to my left.

“I saw that and thought if I get a penalty then I’m just going to roll it in the other corner and luckily it paid off.

“I’ve obviously got too much time on my hands!”

There was undoubtedly clarity as Wanjau-Smith calmly slotted in from the penalty spot.

He had extra incentive to get it right after missing during the FA Trophy shoot-out defeat to Barnet last season.

“I’ve been practising penalties and not many others have so as soon as we got one, I knew I was going to take it,” added Wanjau-Smith.

“I did miss one at home to Barnet in the penalty shoot-out so it was nice to get that monkey off my back now and hit the back of the net.

“You don’t even know it’s happening, you’re confident in what you’re doing and then you’re celebrating. You’ve got to back your ability that you’re going to stick it far enough in the corner and unless he moves ridiculously early then he’s not going to save it.”

Sol Wanjau-Smith celebrates scoring for Maidstone on Saturday with Sam Corne. Picture: Steve Terrell
Sol Wanjau-Smith celebrates scoring for Maidstone on Saturday with Sam Corne. Picture: Steve Terrell

Getting off the mark for the season capped an excellent day for Wanjau-Smith, who missed most of last season due to injury.

Despite being at the club for a year, it was his first league win in a Stones shirt.

“I absolutely loved it,” he beamed. “It was actually my first win in the league for Maidstone.

“The season last year was not ideal, personally and for the team, but it’s just nice to get a win and to get a win at home here for the first time since November was the main thing really.

“It’s a good sign that we’ve faced some adversity because we didn’t concede at home during pre-season.

“So, it’s the first time we’ve gone behind here and we’ve shown great character to come back and get the win.

“The red card gave us the edge but I feel like we had the better chances and were dominating possession but it relaxed everyone so as soon as we scored, we were fine.”

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