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Maidstone United manager George Elokobi sees his side go second in National League South with Chelmsford victory | Levi Amantchi substitution purely precautionary

06:38, 21 November 2023

George Elokobi is reading nothing into the National League South table at this stage of the season.

Maidstone are up to second place after winning 1-0 at Chelmsford on Monday night, eight points behind relentless leaders Yeovil.

Maidstone United manager George Elokobi. Picture: Steve Terrell
Maidstone United manager George Elokobi. Picture: Steve Terrell

Things could change again tonight, with Aveley and Bath both in action, but United are firmly in the picture.

“It’s nice to see where we are but the table doesn’t mean anything to us at this stage of the season,” said manager Elokobi.

“We're just taking one game at a time, taking care of whoever we're coming up against.

“We always try to pick up maximum points wherever we play, whoever we come up against.

“That’s our strategy and we’ve got to keep going and see where that takes us.

“As long as we are competitive in every game we are happy and I’m happy as a manager as long as my players keep giving me their all and keep showing quality from time to time in game situations.

“It’s nice to see where we are but we can’t look too far ahead.

“We’ve taken care of our business against a good side in Chelmsford and we’ll see where we are by Saturday.”

Levi Amantchi’s 18th goal of the season gave Maidstone victory at Chelmsford.

He’d been down in the box shortly before being substituted during the second half.

Report: Chelmsford 0-1 Maidstone

The big striker returned to the dressing room with physio Paul Smith - but the move was precautionary.

“Levi’s fine,” said Elokobi.

“As far as I know, he was just knackered.

“He’s put in a shift and a half twice in the last three days.

“It’s important we try and manage him right.

“Yes, we knew we were taking off one of our threats in Levi but we trust the substitutions we’re making, so that gives Levi a chance to rest up.

“It’s a fine margin in football. You don’t want to be foolish to leave him on and then out of fatigue he ends up being injured.”

Maidstone’s front three combined for the first-half winner with Matt Rush involved before Sol Wanjau-Smith’s pass found Amantchi on the edge of the box.

He beat his man before finishing emphatically.

“The pass made the goal, to be honest,” said Elokobi.

“It’s the combination play and then Levi has taken it on the backfoot, away from the defender. He’s given the defender no chance to recover and he’s finished it with accuracy.

“It’s important when he gets in those positions he stays nice and calm and composed and picks his spot.

“It was a good, powerful placement and it was excellent to see that go in.”

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