It’s third versus first in National League South as Tonbridge Angels host local rivals Maidstone United at Longmead

Tonbridge host Maidstone in a top-of-the-table National League South Kent derby tonight.

It’s an eagerly anticipated match between two sides in great form, with Angels third and the Stones first after weekend victories.

They’re the two leading scorers in the division, with Tonbridge’s 4-0 success at Farnborough moving them on to 17 goals from seven games, while United, who went top with a 1-0 win over Weston, have 15.

As well as the local rivalry, there are players on both sides facing their old club following summer moves.

Former Maidstone skipper Sam Corne and Jephte Tanga joined Tonbridge after rejecting new deals, while Nathan Harness and Lexus Beeden joined after being released.

Tom Leahy, who’s expected to recover from illness, moved in the opposite direction after turning down a new contract at Longmead.

Tonbridge also have Lamar Reynolds, who opened the scoring in Maidstone’s 2-1 FA Cup victory at Ipswich in 2024, and Alfie Pavey, while Stones midfielder Ryan Hanson played for the Angels under Jay Saunders.

“It’s a derby game everyone looks forward to,” Tonbridge boss Alan Dunne told his club’s media team after their big win at Farnborough.

“I think it’s an exciting game. Everyone wants to be part of it. It’s bragging rights for both clubs.

“I look forward to Tuesday because it will be a good atmosphere there.

“There’s some ex-players that are here, a player that went there but we’re in a real good position.”

Maidstone manager Craig Fagan is taking charge of his first A26 derby, although he knows the fixture well from his time as assistant boss under George Elokobi.

Fagan, whose side are three points clear of Tonbridge, said: “For me it’s just a normal game. Players move, they come and go. Some players we let go;