George Elokobi described Maidstone’s victory over Tonbridge as an excellent performance.

The Stones boss felt his side controlled the New Year’s Day game against their local rivals, running out 2-0 winners at the Gallagher Stadium.

Keeper Jonny Henly’s own goal was followed by a Sam Corne penalty as United regained fourth place in National South with a first win in four league matches.

The sides drew 1-1 at Longmead on Boxing Day but it was Maidstone’s day in the opening game of 2024.

Elokobi said: “I thought it was an excellent performance from us, all round.

“In possession, out of possession, being organised, but more so it was on the transition, how quick we tried to break the lines to try and capitalise on some of the weaknesses we saw from a good Tonbridge side last week.

“It was important we begin the year in front of our home crowd, first home game of the year, with three points and a well-deserved clean sheet.

“The confidence has always been there. It’s about controlled emotions, our actions, our preparation.

“We respected them in how we prepared.

“Our players have gone out and executed a game plan to an absolute best, to a man, including the substitutes.

“It’s about readiness, knowing their jobs within individual units and it’s important as a team we make sure we close up shop at the end.

“They threw everything at us, the balls in behind, the long balls, and I thought the back four was excellent.

“The midfield three that started the game was absolutely brilliant and the front three ran themselves into the ground and it was about making sure we did it as a team.

“We were that close last week but today we’ve completed the job.

“They’ve scored a lot of goals, they’ve got good players and you have to respect how they’ve gone about it. I think they were the in-form team in the league.

Report: Maidstone 2-0 Tonbridge

“It was about our preparation, making sure we try to impose ourselves and try to make sure we are positive in our play.

“I thought some of our passing was excellent in terms of how we broke the lines and switched the play but then on the flanks the crosses that went in, it’s about the deliveries.

“That’s Harry Kyprianou delivering two in two now but again it was about the composure shown in the final third and I thought we controlled the game really well.”