Ben Brookes is determined to take the final step with Maidstone this season and win promotion from National League South. Brookes twice reached the play-offs at former club Chelmsford, with last season’s disappointment particularly hard to take. City scored twice at the death to force extra-time in their semi-final with Braintree, only to lose 3-2. The Iron would go on to beat Worthing – conquerors of Maidstone – 4-3 in the final. “I definitely want to go that one step further,” said Brookes. “I’ve been in the play-offs twice at Chelmsford and I don’t really want to do that again. “I want to w…
