Maidstone United striker Matt Rush on facing former club Aveley in the National League South play-offs | Six of his 20 goals this season scored for the Millers

Maidstone striker Matt Rush faces his old club in the play-offs on Wednesday night having started the season at Aveley.

Rush played a big part in the Millers’ terrific early-season form after back-to-back promotions to National League South.

He scored six goals and contributed 10 assists as the Essex club hit the ground running before joining United in November.

The former Southend man has been one of the signings of the season for George Elokobi, with 14 goals in amber and black taking his tally for the two clubs to 20.

Maidstone host Aveley in a play-off eliminator after finishing fourth and seventh respectively.

“I wouldn’t have expected this at the start of the year,” said Rush, 23. “My aim then was to do well with Aveley.

“Danny Scopes (manager) gave me a chance there and it’s come down to playing them in the play-offs.

“Obviously I earned the move here and I came here to get promoted. That doesn’t change.

“It’ll be weird to play against Aveley but it doesn’t really matter who we play.

“I want to win and I want to score. It is what it is.”

Rush was in the Aveley side who won 1-0 at the Gallagher Stadium in September.

He made an unhappy return to his old club in February as the Millers won 2-0 to complete the double over Elokobi’s men.

“We did really well at the start of the season and they just about kept it together to get in the play-offs,” said Rush.

“Fair play to them. For Aveley to be in the play-offs is a really good achievement but it’s the same for us.

“I remember when I was at Aveley and we won 1-0 here.

“At the time we were playing well going forward, we were quite free in how we were playing and we didn’t change.

“Maidstone were a good side but Aveley just play the way they play, they don’t really change.