Jay Saunders says Tonbridge’s Boxing Day derby against Maidstone is one for the supporters.

There’ll be a huge crowd at Longmead as the local rivals do battle in a 1pm kick-off.

Both sides are going well in National League South, with Angels four points outside the play-offs in 10th and the Stones fifth after a 15-game unbeaten run.

It’s 10 years since Tonbridge last beat Maidstone in the league - a 90th-minute Alex Teniola goal in a 1-0 home win in August 2014.

Derby matches are often tight affairs but they’re great occasions for supporters and Saunders would love to send Angels fans home happy.

“I think it’s more for the supporters now, isn’t it?” said Saunders, whose side drew 1-1 at second-placed Boreham Wood on Saturday.

“Everyone knows there’ll be a big crowd.

“I think in general our players will turn up and just get on with it and play their game.

“We’ve got to make sure we do our jobs and go to our game plan and if we do that, we’ll have a chance.

“There’ll be a good atmosphere and hopefully we can come away with the three points because I think it’s been a little while since Tonbridge have beaten Maidstone.

“It is a derby and it’s one of them where the players know it’s important.

“If we get to the levels we did against Boreham Wood, we’ve got a chance; if we play like we did against Enfield the other week, we’ll come unstuck.

“It’s just about preparing right and going from there.”

The fact both teams are enjoying good seasons - Tonbridge will move a point behind Maidstone if they win - adds to the interest.

Saunders’ men have lost only once at home - that 3-1 defeat by Enfield a fortnight ago - while Maidstone are unbeaten away.

“They’re flying at the moment, aren’t they?” said Saunders.

“It’s never an easy game.

“In general, derbies aren’t normally the best games but there’ll be a big crowd, it’s a Boxing Day game, it’s one you look forward to and I’m sure the boys will be up for it.

“We’ll train this week and prepare for it, as we’ve prepared for every game.

“We have to show them respect because they’re obviously a good side.

“Their front line now is as good as anything in the league so it’ll be a case of trying to keep them quiet and if we can do that, we’ve got a chance.

“I expected them to be right up there, the same as Boreham Wood, and they both are.

“But we are where we are and we’re having a decent season, so full credit to the lads.”

Tonbridge followed back-to-home wins against Aveley and Chesham with an impressive display at Boreham Wood.

Defender Ronny Nelson put the visitors in front and while the hosts soon levelled through Lee Ndlovu, it was a good afternoon’s work.

“We played well,” said Saunders. “I was disappointed we didn’t come away with three points.

“We’ve gone there and limited them to not very much in the first half.

“The weather was horrendous, with the rain and the wind, but we were really solid.

“Second half, we improved on the ball and we had some chances and got the goal.

“I was disappointed to concede from a corner but other than it was a good away performance.

“We certainly deserved a point and on another day we might have won it.

“But, if you’d offered me a point there after back-to-back home wins, then 100% I’d have taken it.”

New signing Garrett Kelly appeared as a second-half substitute, having made his debut off the bench in the midweek win over Chesham.

Garrett, a defensive midfielder, has played against Tonbridge this season for Aveley and Welling and joins at an important time with Taylor Maloney out for up to a month.

Saunders said: “He did well against us both times this season and it was one of them where he became available and we thought it made sense to get him.

“We’ve got players in there who are a bit similar and he gives us something different.

“He’s a good lad, he’s a man, he’s a talker and he’s got that experience. We felt with the games we’ve got coming up, it was important to get him on board.”