Fan Zone 23/01/2026
- TUST
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
FAN ZONE
By Nick Brodrick, TUST's Chair and TUFC board member.
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REDDY STEADY GO AS UNITED WAVE GOODBYE TO THE TOP TWO SCORERS
BUT UNITED HATCH A PLAN TO BRING IN A STRIKER THANKS TO TUST
GOALKEEPER INJURY TIMEOUTS RAISES YOUR TEMPERATURES
Last Saturday was Red Card Day normally associated with Valentine Day on February 14th but there was certainly no love lost between Torquay manager Paul Wotton, Maidstone boss George Elokobi and referee Will Briers who dished out four yellows and ended up sending off three.
Unfortunately, for the Plainmoor faithful they became the Painful For Goodness Sake as in a minute of madness United had their two top scorers dismissed in added time.
Louis Dennis, for a seasoned pro his actions were hard to understand while Jordan Young gave the referee no option but to issue a second yellow for dissent.
Of course, both managers were upset with the dismissals and maybe a more experienced ref would have interpreted the three incidents differently but by and large officials at this level are learning the ropes hoping to impress to move up the leagues.
Mr Briers has this season been in charge of eleven National South fixtures with a record of 28 yellows and five reds.
Maidstone have been involved in two of those sending-offs, one at Plainmoor while the previous incident was back in August in a 1-0 win at AFC Totton who had Ryan Jackson red carded.
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The club, after taking advice, appealed the Dennis incident but this was turned down and so his three- match ban stands.
However, United were quick to find a striker to take on a 28- day loan – 19- year- old Joe Hatch from Plymouth Argyle.
In order to get this over the line TUST are pleased to be able to sponsor Hatch helping to cover the club’s wage contribution.
We are pleased to support the club in this way but should say that we don’t expect this to be a regular occurrence, although we obviously would like to help when we can.
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Now that nearly a week has passed, was the 1-1 draw two points dropped or one gained?
For reasons hard to fathom Maidstone are a side that beating is almost impossible, with only one success in nineteen attempts.
Even when it was 10 versus 11, Maidstone were hard to break down and interestingly in his post- match interview George Elokobi said they practice playing with ten men.
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So, tomorrow sees United (4th) at Enfield Town (22nd), with Hornchurch (2nd) at Weston (3rd) while leaders Worthing play at Bath (19th). Mind you, with the current weather postponements are quite possible.
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Non-League Crowd Watch: Carlisle 7,238, York City 7,114, Southend 7,050, Hartlepool v Altrincham 5,314 (Saturday), Hartlepool v Gateshead 4,243 (Tuesday), Worthing 3,865, Torquay 3,262, Macclesfield 3,158, Bury FC 3,039.
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United’s Women’s fixture at Saltash last Sunday is now another match to find a new date. This Sunday fingers crossed for Saltash to make the trip to Coach Road (2pm).
At the moment United are in fifth on 19 points chasing league leaders Forest Green (22pts) with a game in hand. Could the title be a straight fight between the two?
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The Premier League are lobbying the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to approve trials of rugby-style concussion substitutes. Premier League clubs are allowed to make one permanent concussion change per match which does not count against their usual substitution limits.
What the league want is IFAB to allow a temporary concussion substitute who could be brought on for 10 or 15 minutes while the potentially injured player is assessed off the pitch.
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Last week I asked what was your best goal of the four scored against Hampton. Seems it’s between those scored by Dylan Morgan and Jordan Young – ‘sheer class’ says Tony McHale.
Also, the topic about the goalkeepers’ timeouts is clearly one which raises people’s blood pressure. Give them a straight yellow was one view while Bob Cole advocates a tactical break midway through each half.
Agree or disagree? You can still send your view to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com.
COYY
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