Jay Saunders is thinking only about Tonbridge as he prepares for the double-header with former club Maidstone.

Saunders faces the Stones for the first time as a manager when the sides meet at Longmead on Boxing Day (1pm).

He brought great success to the Gallagher Stadium, leading his hometown club from Isthmian South East to the National League with three promotions in four seasons.

The former midfielder also kept Maidstone in non-league’s top flight for two years before being dismissed a month into the 2018/19 campaign.

Saunders transformed Tonbridge from National League South relegation battlers into play-off contenders in his first season.

And they’re challenging again, sitting three points outside the top seven after thrashing Dartford 4-0 last weekend.

Saunders takes Angels to Taunton on Saturday, then it’s all eyes on the derby double-header, with the return at Maidstone on New Year’s Day (3pm).

“I didn’t realise it would be my first time managing against Maidstone until the other day - I hadn’t really thought about it,” said Saunders. “I’m looking forward to it.

“You want to be involved in big games in the league, against the better sides in the league, and obviously they’re right up there so it’s a good test for us.

“We’re having a good season. It’s quite nice. No one’s really talking about us.

“We’re just going about our business and I feel we’ve got a good side when we’ve got everyone on it and everyone fit.

“I don't think Tonbridge’s record against Maidstone has been great in the last few years but hopefully we can change that.

“On a personal level, it’s a long time since I left there and I’m Tonbridge gaffer now and hopefully looking forward to getting three points.

“My sole concentration, and that of the management team and the players, will be on getting three points.

“I had some good times there and I was there for a long time but it was a long time ago.

“I’m thinking about Tonbridge and getting those three points and if we can do that it’ll be a great day for the players and the supporters.

“We’ve shown we’re a decent side.

“Especially at our place at the moment, the boys feel comfortable there, we’re getting good crowds, the support’s been brilliant.

“I think they’re appreciating what we’re serving up and hopefully we can show what we’re about in front of what I’d imagine will be a big crowd.

“It’s a local derby and we’re two teams who are quite close in the league.

“If we win at Taunton all of a sudden that game against Maidstone becomes big because we could creep into the play-offs.

“You look at budgets, we’re probably over-achieving with where we are in the league.

“We’ve got a good group and we’re looking forward to it but we’re thinking about Taunton first and foremost.”

Jordan Greenidge scored twice, with Lewis Gard and Mo Dabre also on target in Tonbridge’s big win over Dartford.

The visitors started well but Angels quickly took charge.

Saunders said: “It was a good performance.

“We scored four in our last home game against Havant, so it was nice to score another four.

“I’ve got to be honest, I don’t think I’ve been involved in a derby with a scoreline like that.

“Normally they are 2-1, 1-0, something like that.

“I knew what sort of game it would be.

“They’re a big, physical side.

“But we honestly thought if we could deal with that, we could hurt them going the other way.

“We said to the boys at training it’s important we take our chances and are clinical and, to be fair, they did that.

“We’re on a good run and when we’re at our best we feel we can give anyone a game.”