Maidstone United goalkeeper Alexis Andre Jr on reaching his target of 20 National League South clean sheets this season

Maidstone goalkeeper Alexis Andre Jr has nailed his pre-season target after reaching 20 clean sheets in National League South.

Andre Jr brought up the milestone in the Stones’ 3-0 win at Hampton & Richmond last Saturday.

It was a figure he and manager George Elokobi discussed when the Frenchman joined last summer as a replacement for Lucas Covolan, who departed after rejecting a new deal.

Elokobi described Andre Jr as the best goalkeeper in the division this week and the numbers back up his claim, with Maidstone conceding just 32 goals in 40 games.

“Before the start of the season, my goal with the gaffer was to hit 20 clean sheets,” said Andre Jr.

“We’ve hit it now and we’ll try to get as many as we can.

“I’m very happy to have 20 because before now I wasn’t even playing 20 games a season and now, in my first season playing every game, I’m doing 20 clean sheets.”

Andre Jr, who made his debut in English football with Bristol Rovers, saw his move to Maidstone as a chance to challenge for honours.

In his non-league days, including spells with the likes of Dover, Maidenhead and Woking, he’s been at the wrong end of the league.

He’s got his wish at the Gallagher, with United fighting for promotion to the National League.

“It’s a great feeling trying to win the league or hitting the play-offs,” said Andre Jr.

“It’s good to be in a team like that because now I can show myself and be winning games and keeping clean sheets.

“Before it was conceding goals and making saves, so it’s hard to find another club. When your team is doing well, everybody is thinking you’re great, so it’s a different feeling now.

“I look at my saves, the crosses, the kicking, after every single game. It’s maybe not the best I’ve ever played but it’s the