Covid cancels Saturday’s pre-season friendly

Maidstone United’s pre-season match against Southend United, which was due to take place on Saturday, has been cancelled due to positive Covid-19 tests in the Stones’ squad.

In keeping with current Government guidelines, players are self-isolating until early next week.

Stones chief executive Bill Williams said: “If ever we needed a reminder that Covid is still wreaking havoc, then here it is.

“This is a bitter blow to our pre-season plans, at a time when all you want to do is get minutes under your belt before the season starts. I feel for Hak and Terry who’d put together a solid programme to get us in the best shape and for the players who’ve given their all. Look, there’s two and a bit weeks when we return and we’ve got to get the best from those, god-willing.

“I am equally disappointed for our supporters who were looking forward to seeing their team play at the Gallagher this weekend and hopefully they will be able to join us for the friendlies we’ve got coming up from next Tuesday onwards.

“I apologise to Southend for not being able to fulfil this fixture and hope Phil Brown and his management team are able to make alternative arrangements.”

Following the self-isolation period, the Stones will be away to Chatham Town on Tuesday 27 July and Hythe Town on Thursday 29 July, with a home match against Charlton Athletic U23s on Saturday 31 July.