New signing Harry Kyprianou has fond memories of facing Maidstone’s next FA Cup opponents.

The Stones visit Southern League Winchester City in the Third Qualifying Round on Saturday (3pm).

For Kyprianou, it means a return to the ground where he scored the opening goal for Weymouth in a 3-1 FA Cup victory last season.

“Funnily enough, I played at Winchester last season and I scored and won a penalty and we won the game, so it was a good day,” said Kyprianou, who offers Maidstone options in defence and midfield.

“It’s a random one to be going there again in the FA Cup but I have happy memories from that ground.

“We had a good run last year at Weymouth. We got to the First Round and took AFC Wimbledon to a replay and I was on the bench in the FA Cup as a 16-year-old for Watford, so I have good memories of the competition.

“We have to do our best to stay in the FA Cup for as long as we can.

“Financially it can be good for the club and hopefully you end up with a big home or away tie.

“You have to maintain your discipline to stay in the hat and that will be important against Winchester where it’s a favourites v underdogs situation.

“The boys did that at Steyning in the last round and hopefully we’ll do the same again.”

Kyprianou, 26, made his Stones debut as a second-half substitute against Worthing on Saturday.

The former Watford and Southend man had been training with the club as a free agent and likes what he’s seen.

He’s convinced George Elokobi’s side have the tools to challenge for National League South promotion.

“It’s only natural when you enter a new environment that you look around and see what’s around you,” he said.

“To be honest, I’ve been really impressed since I’ve been here.

“I’d heard good things about the manager and his character.

“I’ve seen on the pitch how he conducted himself as a determined professional and you can see his approach to management is the same.

“He’s very hardworking. Even last week, when I came here, the report time was 9.30am and I got here at 9am and there were already eight players on the pitch with the gaffer and Craig Fagan (assistant manager).

“For this level, that really surprised me.

“I’ve been really impressed with the professionalism – it’s a positive environment to be in.

“With the players here, there’s definitely enough quality to be minimum pushing for the play-offs.

“Anything less than the play-offs would be a disappointment for this group of players.”

Kyprianou spent a decade with Watford between the ages of eight and 18 before joining Southend in 2015.

He had five years at Roots Hall where his coaches included current Stones No.2 Fagan.

Spells at Oxford City and Weymouth followed for the five-cap former Cyprus under-21 international.

He signed for Maidstone as a free agent at the end of last week.

“I’m quite a versatile player,” said Kyprianou.

“I’m naturally a left-sided defender but I can play midfield and wing-back as well.

“Considering we play 3-5-2, I can cover a lot of those positions.

“The gaffer was looking to make an addition and I was available, so he invited me in to training.

“I really enjoyed it and hopefully he liked what he saw.

“You can’t think too much about earning a deal.

“I was just focused on trying to make a good impression, trying to enjoy it and work hard and you hope the rest takes care of itself.

“Fortunately I did enough to earn a place here and I’m really happy about that.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some good coaches and good players in my career and if I can take my experience forward and help myself and help the other players, that’s what I’ll be looking to do.”