Matt Rush sets the record straight after helping Boreham Wood beat former club Maidstone United in the National League South play-off final

Matt Rush believes there was a misconception surrounding his departure from Maidstone United.

Rush left the Stones at Christmas, just weeks after rejoining on loan from Sutton, to sign for National League South promotion rivals Boreham Wood.

He’d been due to spend the rest of the season at Maidstone but the situation changed when the Wood made an offer to Sutton to buy the striker.

Stones fans had already seen Jon Benton’s loan cut short in similar circumstances, with Boreham Wood buying the midfielder from Solihull Moors.

There was further frustration when Rush left and he was booed by travelling fans during last weekend’s play-off final between the clubs, which Boreham Wood won 1-0.

Rush set the record straight after the match.

“I didn’t say I wanted to leave Maidstone,” he said.

“I think there’s maybe a misconception where people thought I just chose to leave. That wasn’t the case.

“I was contracted at Sutton and Boreham Wood came in to buy me from Sutton.

“Obviously, with Maidstone’s finances, whatever they are, nothing was going to be agreed there.

“I didn’t want to stay at Sutton, I wasn’t playing football, so I came here, where I was going to play football.”

Rush scored 17 goals in half a season at Boreham Wood, including nine in seven games leading into the play-off final.

He missed a big chance to grab another one against the Stones but Charles Clayden’s second-half strike was enough to send the hosts back to the National League at the first attempt.

“I came to Boreham Wood and have enjoyed it from the moment I got here,” said Rush.

“I’ve scored a lot of goals and to get promotion is a great feeling.

“I’d have liked to get one in the final but all that matters is the result.

“Maidstone, as I know better than