Maidstone United manager George Elokobi explains why top scorer Levi Amantchi was left out of the side

George Elokobi has defended his decision to rest leading scorer Levi Amantchi amid questions from Maidstone fans.

Amantchi had been on the bench for three games before returning to the starting XI against Dover on Tuesday night.

He scored the winner as United beat their struggling Kent rivals 1-0 at the Gallagher Stadium.

The goal took his tally for the season to 16.

Amantchi’s importance to the team is clear and that's why Stones boss Elokobi gave him a break - with the bigger picture in mind.

“It was me resting Levi,” said Elokobi.

“Levi was resting, to be refreshed because of the amount of games we’ve got this month, and with the volume of games he’s played as well.

“We look at all of the data and we ensure we look after the players.

“Let’s not forget, he’s come from a part-time environment into a full-time environment in pre-season and he’s been excellent.

“It was time for him to get one-and-a-half weeks or two weeks’ rest and play a part from the bench and he’s done that excellently.

“We had a plan, knowing that he was going to come back in for the game against Dover.”

Amantchi came off the bench to score against Chesham and Eastbourne during his spell out of the starting line-up.

Fully refreshed, the big man put Dover to the sword by scoring the only goal three minutes before half-time.

Elokobi said: “I am the manager of this football club and I know my players better than our supporters.

“We know our players better as a management team and we look at the data.

“We try to manage them right and we don’t want to lose a prolific goalscorer.

“It’s important we look at our players and make sure they’re fresh.

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