Near-strangers Josh Hare and Alex Finney formed an instant understanding at the heart of Maidstone's defence.

The pair only met on Thursday morning when Finney travelled down to complete a loan move from QPR.

One training session later and they were lining up together against Maidenhead in United's National League opener.

Hare played all of last season for Eastbourne at right-back while Finney hardly knew anyone.

But if they were supposed to be nervous, nobody told Hare as the young defenders hit it off.

Hare said: "I met Alex for the first time on Thursday but you just know sometimes.

"Even from one training session, you could see he was a good player and he proved that.

"He talks well, he's a good player and it could be a good partnership.

"Obviously Alex Wynter has come in as well - I know him well and it's a good signing for the club - plus there's Magnus Okuonghae to come back, so there's good competition.

"I was just happy to be playing and to be able to prove myself on the pitch in a National League game.

"I've played centre-half all my youth team football so it's probably more second-nature to me than playing right-back, which is obviously where I played last year.

"I got moved to right-back due to the fact I can get up and down and get involved attacking-wise but centre-half is still a position that I can see myself playing at this level.

"There's no worry from my point of view, it was just a case of going out and doing it on the pitch."

Wynter and Okuonghae could be in contention when United go to Ebbsfleet tomorrow but Hare hopes to get another chance.

He said: "Hopefully I'll keep my place. I think the back four did great.

"If it changes then fair enough but we're ready to go again and I definitely think we can get something over there.

"It'll be a great crowd and a Kent derby, which I've never been a part of really.

"I played against them last year, they were a good side then and I expect them to be even better than that."