Maidstone start the new National League season against two promoted clubs - including a trip to Kent rivals Ebbsfleet.

Stones open at home to Maidenhead on Saturday, August 5 and travel to Stonebridge Road to face Fleet three days later on August 8, scene of their dramatic play-off final victory a year ago.

One of the biggest games of the season follows on August 12 as Stones go to relegated Leyton Orient.

Stones boss Jay Saunders: “They’re three good games to start the season.

“It’s always nice to have the first game at home, although it won’t be easy because Alan Devonshire’s done a brilliant job at Maidenhead.

“Ebbsfleet is one I’m looking forward to.

“It’s a local derby, it’ll be good under lights and I’m sure there’ll be a big crowd in.

“Orient’s one you look out for. They’ve had a lot of turmoil but it’s a massive club and you don’t want to see a club like that in trouble.

“Who’d have thought a few years ago we’d be going to Leyton Orient for a league game?”

There’s a quick reunion with winger Bobby-Joe Taylor as Aldershot visit the Gallagher on August 15.

Saunders’ side welcome Wrexham on August 19, go to Sutton on August 26 and complete the opening month at home to Dagenham on August 28.

A long trip to Hartlepool - the other club relegated from League 2 - awaits on September 2.

Maidstone will again play Dover in a Christmas and New Year double header.

They go to Crabble on Boxing Day, with the return on New Year’s Day.

Other highlights include a trip to favourites Tranmere on November 25, with the return on February 24, while Orient visit the Gallagher on December 23.

Maidstone finish the campaign at home to FC Halifax on April 28.

Sat Aug 5 MAIDENHEAD H

Tue Aug 8 Ebbsfleet a

Sat Aug 12 Leyton Orient a

Tue Aug 15 ALDERSHOT H

Sat Aug 19 WREXHAM H

Sat Aug 26 Sutton a

Mon Aug 28 DAGENHAM H

Sat Sep 2 Hartlepool a

Sat Sep 9 WOKING H

Tue Sep 12 Eastleigh a

Sat Sep 16 Macclesfield a

Sat Sep 23 GATESHEAD H

Sat Sep 30 Barrow a

Tue Oct 3 BROMLEY H

Sat Oct 7 GUISELEY H

Sat Oct 21 AFC Fylde a

Tue Oct 24 FC Halifax a

Sat Oct 28 CHESTER H

Sat Nov 11 Torquay a

Sat Nov 18 SOLIHULL MOORS H

Tue Nov 21 BOREHAM WOOD H

Sat Nov 25 Tranmere a

Sat Dec 2 EBBSFLEET H

Sat Dec 9 Maidenhead a

Sat Dec 23 LEYTON ORIENT H

Tue Dec 26 Dover a

Sat Dec 30 Aldershot a

Mon Jan 1 DOVER H

Sat Jan 6 Woking a

Sat Jan 20 EASTLEIGH H

Sat Jan 27 Gateshead a

Sat Feb 3 MACCLESFIELD H

Sat Feb 10 Bromley a

Sat Feb 17 BARROW H

Tue Feb 20 Boreham Wood a

Sat Feb 24 TRANMERE H

Sat Mar 3 Solihull Moors a

Sat Mar 10 TORQUAY H

Sat Mar 17 SUTTON H

Sat Mar 24 Wrexham a

Fri Mar 30 HARTLEPOOL H

Mon Apr 2 Dagenham a

Sat Apr 7 Guiseley a

Sat Apr 14 AFC FYLDE H

Sat Apr 21 Chester a

Sat Apr 28 HALIFAX H