Saunders hails his ex-enforcer

Maidstone United manager Jay Saunders has thanked Danny Lye for his work at the Ryman Premier's Kent outfit after he left in search of first team football and made an immediate impact for Hythe Town on Tuesday.

The defensive midfielder, pictured, asked to leave the Gallagher Stadium last weekend and was quickly snapped up by the Ryman South club before playing a key role in their 1-0 win over Leatherhead, their first home success of their league season.

Hythe weren't the only club interested in the 32-year-old who spent three years at the Stones after joining them in November 2010 and made 99 appearances. Lye, who's played for Welling United, Ashford Town, Tonbridge Angels and Gravesend & Northfleet, also played a key role in their promotion to the Ryman's top flight in May via the play-offs to earn his former manager's gratitude.

Saunders said: "He’s been great for us over the past three years and has never let us down. He’s a great character and will be sorely missed in the dressing room.”