Post by Hatboy on Sept 5, 2014 22:34:19 GMT
Ebbsfleet United Away Preview
DetailsPublished on Friday, 05 September 2014 14:08 Written by Jake Ellacott
Following two successive defeats on the trot, the Saints are looking to get back to winning ways when they visit Ebbsfleet United on Saturday afternoon, who are one of the early season favourites to be EUFClogopromoted.
The Saints suffered defeat last weekend at Clarence Park to the hands of last season’s runners up Sutton United. The visitors took the lead within the first five minutes when they countered at speed, and laid the ball off to Taylor, who slid it home with ease. Loan signing Sean Shields levelled things up on the stroke of half time, before Sutton took the lead against just after the interval. Three late goals then followed, starting with substitute Reindorf looking to have sealed the points for the U’s, before a John Frendo strike in the 90th game the Saints hope. However, as the home side went looking for an equaliser, Sutton broke again, and Haysman was on hand to dink the ball over Welch and into the back of the net in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Saturday’s defeat means City have now won three and lost three of their opening six league matches, and although it is a mixed start, it leaves the club in 8th place, and above the two other promoted sides. Although it ended up being a poor result against Sutton, the Saints will be hoping to get back to winning ways with a win at The PHB Stadium.
Ebbsfleet finished last season in fourth place, meaning a two legged play-off semi-final with third placed finishers Bromley. An empathic 4-0 victory in the home leg virtually guaranteed their progress to the final, and while Bromley did win the reversal 1-0, Steve Brown’s men marched into the final full of confidence. The final saw a tasty Kent derby, as the Fleet hosted Dover Athletic, who despite finishing 5th, powered past 2nd placed side Sutton United. It proved to be a tight match, which was decided by a Nathan Elder strike in the second half, sending Dover back to the Conference for the first time since 2002.
The Fleet, who have invested in the playing squad over the summer following that play-off heartbreak, have been backed by many as one of the favourites to be promotion this term. The season started brightly with victories against Concord Rangers and Havant & Waterlooville, but that pre-season promise has since taken a couple of knocks, with two poor defeats at the hands of Whitehawk and Basingstoke separated by a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to newly promoted Wealdstone. Ebbsfleet have failed to find the net in their last three league outings, and will hope that their luck changes when the Saints come to town.
James Gray and Graham Golds will be looking for a response to last weekend’s defeat, and will be hoping for a much improved performance in Kent on Saturday afternoon. The management will be without Sam Corcoran, who picked up a foot injury against Bishops Stortford, while James Kaloczi will be missing as he plays his final game out on loan before he returns to the club. It was also revealed this morning that Elliot Buchanan has left the club to join Staines Town. But, key players such as John Frendo, Sean Shields and James Comley should all be available to Gray and Golds.
Kick-off at The PHB stadium is 3pm.
Saturday’s fixture coincides with Non-League Day, an event set up in 2010 which is now an annual part of the Football Calendar. Our hosts on Saturday, Ebbsfleet United, will be celebrating by allowing all U16’s (With proof) in free of charge.
