Maidstone United forward Sol Wanjau-Smith up and running after injury setbacks

Sol Wanjau-Smith’s return to fitness boosts Maidstone in more ways than one.

Wanjau-Smith not only brings talent in abundance, he’s also streetwise when it comes to winning matches.

Stones boss Hakan Hayrettin described the forward’s old club Hungerford as “masters of the dark arts” last season.

And if Maidstone, on a run of four straight National League defeats, can gain any advantage, so much the better.

There’s certainly an argument they’ve been too nice to play against at times.

“Look at the Argentinians at the World Cup - it’s part of the game, unfortunately,” said Wanjau-Smith, who scored six goals and provided 17 assists for Hungerford last season.

“At the end of the day, I’m a winner and I want to get three points. I kind of do almost anything to do that.”

Wanjau-Smith joined Maidstone last summer, relocating from his home in Bristol, but issues with both knees delayed his debut.

He made a welcome first appearance midway through the second half of the Stones’ 1-0 defeat at Dagenham on Boxing Day, operating from the left wing.

It was a big moment for the 23-year-old as he finally got his first taste of National League football.

“It’s good to be back but it’s a bitter-sweet because of the result and that’s ultimately what we’re here for,” he said.

“The result’s disappointing but personally it’s nice to be out there after such a long time out.

“I wasn’t nervous, I was really excited, to be honest.

“I was quite lucky that, with the Christmas period, all my family were here as well.

“I’m not 100% fit yet. That’s why it’s going to be substitute appearances for the near future but hopefully I can keep building my match fitness and helping the team off the bench and eventually break into the starting line-up.

“It has