Stones march back to Premier

Faversham never looked likely to repeat their 2-1 league victory on the same ground three weeks earlier as Stones dominated proceedings from start to finish in front of 2,226 fans, the fourth successive 2,000-plus attendance at the Gallagher Stadium.

Olorunda climbed high to power home his first goal from Michael Phillips’ right-wing cross in the 11th minute and he got his second from almost the same spot. That was in the 35th minute, when Alex Flisher launched a long throw from the left and Olorunda met it at the near post.

Stones missed a hatful of further chances in the first half while the visitors had only one clear opening. It fell to Danny Hockton but he took too long to pull the trigger.

The pattern continued after the break and substitute Alex Brown made sure midway through the half. He had been on the pitch for only four minutes when he pounced on Olorunda’s knockdown to clip home the third goal.

So Maidstone’s first season back in their home town after a long, long exile ended in triumph as they returned to the top division after a two-year absence.

The average gate is more than five times as high as it was in their relegation season, when they were based 25 miles away at Ashford, and they should be well equipped for the challenge. But they can progress no further until the Conference remove their ban on artificial pitches.

Shaun Welford is pictured jumping for joy after receiving the play-off winners’ trophy from League Chairman Alan Turvey.