Arsenal fan Sol Wanjau-Smith put his knowledge to good use to fire Maidstone to their first win of the season. The Stones striker scored their first goal of the new season, equalising from the penalty spot against Slough at the Gallagher before they went on to claim all three points.
It was a case of Wanjau-Smith’s homework paying off as he slotted his penalty past goalkeeper Hubert Graczyk, who is on a season-long loan at Slough from Premier League runners-up Arsenal. “I’m an Arsenal fan and the keeper plays for Arsenal,” explained Wanjau-Smith. “I looked on Instagram and saw the penalties he saved from right-footers, he always dived to my left. “I saw that and thought if I get a penalty then I’m just going to roll it in the other corner and luckily it paid off. “I’ve obviously got too much time on my hands!” There was undoubtedly clarity as Wanjau-Smith calmly slotted in from the penalty spot.
He had extra incentive to get it right after missing during the FA Trophy shoot-out defeat to Barnet last season. “I’ve been practising penalties and not many others have so as soon as we got one, I knew I was going to take it,” added Wanjau-Smith. “I did miss one at home to Barnet in the penalty shoot-out so it was nice to get that monkey off my back now and hit the back of the net. “You don’t even know it’s happening, you’re confident in what you’re doing and then you’re celebrating.
You’ve got to back your ability that you’re going to stick it far enough in the corner and unless he moves ridiculously early then he’s not going to save it.” Getting off the mark for the season capped an excellent day for Wanjau-Smith, who missed most of last season due to injury.