Maynard made to wait for century
The Stones gaffer was set to take charge of his 100th game for the club but continual postponement of games, due to wet weather, has denied the manager his outstanding milestone for the time being.
The club were set to face Chesterfield and Oldham Athletic at Grosvenor Vale, as well as Halifax Town and Yeovil away from home, but the winter conditions in the UK have made countless pitches around the country unplayable.
Having just beaten play-off rivals Eastleigh 3-1 at home going into the postponed fixtures, Maynard will be hoping his side can carry on their run of good form when time comes for his 100th game in charge.
"You never think when you get into management you'll get to this many games, it's so many games! But the fans have been outstanding, they really understand our process and have really enjoyed and understand the way we want to play.
"The key thing we've had here is stability. It's mine and Matty's [Saunders] third season in charge and you wouldn't think we've had 100 appearances so far."
Maynard joined the club on the 21st May 2019, initially as an assistant manager to Dean Brennan in which the pair led the club to promotion from the National League South during the 19/20 season. When Brennan left his position in early 2021, Maynard took on the interim role as manager before being offered the permanent role on 11th March 2021.
He led the club to 16th place last season, the Stones highest League finish in 35 years, earning himself and assistant manager Matthew Saunders a two-year contract extension on the 12th May 2022.
His side currently sit 9th in the National League, just one-point off the play-off places and his current success in the League has seen him become an early contender for manager of the season, having won 10 and drawn 7 of the opening 25 League games.
The attacking brand of football utilised by Maynard has seen his side score 32 goals already this season, and with the recent addition of striker Corie Andrews, who has previously scored a brace at the Vale for Aldershot, the Stones will be hoping to keep the goals flowing as they prepare for a tough second half to the season.
"We've been having in house games." Said the soon-to-be Stones centurion. "It gets some minutes into the lads rather than just training but you cannot recreate the intensity of Saturday or Tuesday game in the National League.
"We'll try to come out on the front foot against Gateshead, who are a very good team and deserved more from their game against Wrexham. They create chances and open you up and if you dont stick to your game plan then they'll give you a very difficult game."
With the next scheduled fixture a home tie against Gateshead, the gaffer will be hoping for sunny skies as he looks to take his side back into the play-off places with another victory on Saturday. Get your tickets HERE.