Maidstone manager Jay Saunders expects Kent rivals Ebbsfleet to make a big impact in the National League.

Fleet have joined United in non-league’s top flight, a year after Saunders’ side won the National South play-off final between the sides.

They meet again at Stonebridge Road tonight with Fleet boss Daryl McMahon having signed the likes of Jack Payne from Blackpool, Barnet’s Luke Coulson and Wycombe man and former Gills winger Myles Weston.

Saunders said: “It’ll be strange going back there for the first time since the play-off final.

“That was a day I don’t think anyone will forget but it seems a long time ago now.

“We had a big season last year, our first year up, and we’ve good memories of it but Daryl will have a good side.

“He’s signed some very good players and I think they’ll be there or thereabouts.

“It’s well-publicised that they’ve got good money and I’m sure they want to go up and get out of this league as quickly as possible.

“You can see by some of the signings that they want to have a real go at it.
“It is a tough league but I think they’ll do well and this league will possibly suit them more but you just don’t know, it’s such an unpredictable league.”

As well as winning the play-off final, Maidstone beat Ebbsfleet 1-0 in the league at Stonebridge Road.

United have a year on Fleet at this level but there’s been no attempt by McMahon’s men to paint themselves as underdogs.

Saunders said: “I don’t think they can if you look at the squad they’ve got.

“They’re pretty much all ex-league players and they’ve got a lot of players who’ve played this level, Andy Drury and people like that.

“I think they’ll fancy their chances but it’s whoever turns up on the day.

“We went there before and won in the league and we won in the play-offs so they’ll be aware we’re capable of getting a result.”