MAIDSTONE UNITED joint-manager Alan Walker says his side must match Horsham YMCA physically when they meet at Bourne Park in Ryman League, Division One South this Saturday.

The Stones go into the game on the back of a 0-0 draw with Croydon Athletic on Wednesday night and remain top of the league with two games in hand on second-placed Hastings United.

Striker Mo Takaloo hit the bar twice but Maidstone were unable to break the deadlock.

Horsham YMCA are eighth in the league and Walker is expecting a tough battle against a team whose assistant manager is Tommy Sampson.

The former Dartford, Deal and Ashford manager watched Wednesday night’s game and Walker admires the influence he has had on the West Sussex side.

He said: "They have had a lot of changes in personnel. They have brought in players who are big and up for the physical challenge a lot more. Their results have taken a turn for the better since they have done that."

"Tommy is a wily old campaigner and is a knowledgeable man in the game. The main reports we have had are that they are a big, strong physical side but that doesn’t worry me much as we can match them if it comes to that.

"If we match them I think our quality is a bit better and good enough to pick up the three points."

Full story in this week's Kent Messenger