Ebbsfleet go into this Saturday's all important home game desperate for all three points. The visitors to Stonebridge Road are Southport, a side the Fleet have only beaten once in nine attempts.
Southport FC
Founded - 1881 (As Southport Central)
Nickname - The Sandgrounders
Ground - Merseyrail Community Stadium
Manager - Liam Watson
Captain - Simon Grand
Top scorer - Karl Ledsham/Shaun Whalley (8)
After an excellent season last year, finishing 7th, the Sandgrounders have continued to impress under Liam Watson as they sit comfortably in mid-table in Non-League's top division. Southport have only won one of their last five Blue Square Premier matches and, against the side with the worst defensive record in all of the top five divisions, they'll be looking to record a comfortable win here.
The Fleet's last match was certainly one to forget. After an impressive draw at home to Newport County, confidence was high for the trip to Alfreton. Unfortunately they were never really at the races, as the home side ran out 3-0 winners with goals from Dan Bradley, Ben Tomlinson and debutant Jordan Rose. After this devastating loss the Fleet remain in 23rd position but have now slipped to seven points adrift of safety after Hyde picked up a surprise victory at Luton Town.
Southport were on course for three points in their last match until two goals in the last five minutes gave play-off hopefuls Forest Green the points. Joint top scorer Shaun Whalley had put the hosts one up from the spot in the 30th minute of the game. Forest Green had the better of the game and created more opportunities but couldn't get through. The goal did eventually come when substitute Yemi Odubade finished from six yards out. Rovers weren't settling for the point and debutant Wes Burns finished from close range in the 90th minute after signing on loan from Bristol City earlier in the day. Forest Green have closed the gap on the last play-off spot to just three points now, but they have played more matches than all of the sides above them.
KEY PLAYERS:
The Fleet will look to Nathan Elder to grab a goal or two against Southport. The number nine has 14 goals for the season and will be looking for his goals to contribute to their push for survival. Preston Edwards is another player the Fleet will hope is on form. Despite having the worst defensive record, the shot stopper has been one of the Fleet's best players this season and without him guarding goal, it's quite possible the Reds will already be relegated.
Shaun Whalley is Southport's stand out player. The winger has been on good form this season and will look to continue his form for the remainder of the season. Karl Ledsham is a key player in the Sandgrounders squad. Not only is he joint top scorer but he's an influential player in the middle of the park for them.
TEAM NEWS:
Stefan Payne and Joe Howe have recently returned to the squad for the Fleet. There's still no news on whether Craig Stone is back fit, and midfielder Neil Barrett could be back in contention after missing the Alfreton game due to illness. Long-term absentee Moses Ashikodi is back in training and will be fighting for a place in the squad. The striker has been missing from the squad since the 8th December with a knee injury.
Southport are missing Steven Akrigg and Chris Lynch, both are out long-term. Andy Owens and Aaron Chalmers are doubts, both have had slight hamstring strains recently. Midfielder Godfrey Poku serves the last of his two-game suspension for picking up 10 yellow cards and defender Neil Byrne serves the second of a three game suspension after picking up a straight red card at Lincoln. Southport have this week signed Danny Hattersley on loan from Stockport County. The striker could be in contention to make his debut against the Fleet.
EBBSFLEET'S LAST SIX MATCHES (LDLLLW):
Alfreton Town 3-0 Ebbsfleet United
Ebbsfleet United 1-1 Newport County
Wrexham 4-1 Ebbsfleet United
Kidderminster Harriers 3-2 Ebbsfleet United
Grimsby Town 3-1 Ebbsfleet United
Ebbsfleet United 1-0 Hereford United
SOUTHPORT'S LAST SIX MATCHES (LLWDLW):
Southport 1-2 Forest Green Rovers
Lincoln City 1-0 Southport
Southport 2-1 Cambridge United
Southport 2-2 Dartford
Southport 1-2 Woking
Southport 5-2 Barrow
PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS:
The previous three matches between the two teams have seen seven penalties given, six of them being awarded to Southport.
15.09.12. Southport 1-0 Ebbsfleet United
21.04.12. Southport 3-3 Ebbsfleet United
25.02.12. Ebbsfleet United 1-2 Southport
14.04.07. Ebbsfleet United 0-4 Southport
02.09.06. Southport 2-2 Ebbsfleet United
The Fleet's last victory against Southport came on 03.09.05 - a 2-1 victory at Stonebridge Road.
LAST TIME OUT:
Southport 1-0 Ebbsfleet.
A dull affair was decided by a penalty in the last minute of the match. Liam Enver-Marum missed from the spot for the Fleet before Tony Gray saw his penalty saved by Edwards. Patrick Ada's foul on Chris Almond was un-necessary, and Southport made no mistake this time. Chris Lever guided his penalty into the top corner of the net to give the hosts all three points.
Attendance: 872.
HOW THE BOOKIES SEE IT:
William Hill have the Fleet to win at 8/5 and Southport at 6/4. A draw for this match sees odds of 23/10. If you fancy a 2-2 scoreline then the odds for that are 12/1. If you fancy the Fleet to keep only their fourth clean sheet of the season then you can get odds of 3/1. Southport to keep a clean sheet sees odds of 14/5.
Bet Victor cannot split the sides, with both coming in at 13/8. A draw sees odds of 12/5. If you think Enver-Marum can grab the first goal, you can get odds of 6/1.
Ladbrokes cannot split the sides either, with both of the odds at 7/5 and a draw at 12/5. If you fancy Southport to sneak a 1-2 win the odds are 8/1.
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