It's coming up to Tuesday evening which can only mean one thing: Ebbsfleet United are involved in a match away from home. After recent night trips to Grimsby Town and Wrexham, the 'Fleet now travel to Alfreton Town hoping to pick up three vital points in their push for safety.
Alfreton Town FC
Founded 1959
Nickname The Reds
Ground Impact Arena
Manager Nicky Law
Captain Darran Kempson
Top scorer Paul Clayton (14)
Alfreton have had a mixed season so far. Although they are quite a way from the drop zone, they are certainly not out of the relegation dog fight. Fortunately for them they have a kind run in that should see them pick up enough points to survive. On the Cup front the Reds were knocked out at the first hurdle in the FA Trophy but a respectable FA Cup campaign saw them defeat Gateshead and Wrexham before bowing out 2-4 at home to League One side Leyton Orient. Alfreton's home form this season has been fairly patchy, winning just 4 of their 16 home games, drawing 5 and losing 7.
Alfreton's last match saw them pick up a point away at Tamworth. Louie Soares scored his first goal for Alfreton since signing on loan from Grimsby. The winger hit home from just inside the box in the 29th minute. The second half saw a much better performance from the Lambs as they got back into the game and equalised through Darren Byfield in the 65th minute.
The 'Fleet played host to title contenders Newport County on Saturday and finished the game with a share of the points. The visitors took the lead on the stroke of half time when Lee Minshull got in ahead of the 'Fleet defenders to head home a Scott Donnelly cross. Newport may have felt a little hard done by just after half-time as Byron Anthony was down awaiting treatment and, much to their disgust, the referee allowed the game to play on. The 'Fleet took full advantage as a cross wasn't dealt with allowing Liam Enver-Marum to hit the back of the net from 8 yards out. County had a golden chance to win the game in the last minute of injury time as Phil Walsh brought down substitute Robbie Willmott in the area. Andy Sandell stepped up and powerfully drove the ball, fortunately Preston Edwards guessed the right way and kept out his spot kick - much to the delight of the 'Fleet players and fans. Neither side created enough to win the match, a draw was a fair reflection of how the game panned out.
KEY PLAYERS:
If he plays, Paul Clayton will be vital for the Reds. The striker has hit 14 goals this season and will look to add to his tally sooner rather than later. Louie Soares is another player that Alfreton may look to. The winger has been in good form since joining on loan, scoring and assisting in both of his last two matches.
The 'Fleet will be looking to Nathan Elder to add to his tally of goals in this match. 14 for the season, the striker will need to be in top form not only in this match, but for the remainder of the season. The 'Fleet have got enough games coming up against teams around them, they'll be hoping they have enough to secure the wins needed to survive. Matt Godden will want to return to the form he had in his previous loan spell at the 'Fleet. The youngster, on loan from Scunthorpe, hit 3 goals in 5 matches before being recalled and will want to find the net frequently again.
TEAM NEWS:
Captain Darran Kempson will be missing after picking up a groin strain on Saturday, he's the only 'fresh' worry for boss Nicky Law. Theo Streete (last game of four-game suspension) and Phil Barnes are still missing from the squad. One player on the Alfreton team sheet that will be known to 'Fleet fans is Louie Soares. The winger spent time on loan at the 'Fleet earlier in the season. He's recently signed on loan at Alfreton for the remainder of the season.
It is unknown whether Craig Stone and Stefan Payne are able to make their returns for the 'Fleet.
ALFRETON'S LAST SIX MATCHES (DDWLLL):
Tamworth 1-1 Alfreton Town
Wrexham 1-1 Alfreton Town
Alfreton Town 5-1 Hyde
Kidderminster Harriers 3-1 Hyde
Nuneaton Town 1-0 Alfreton Town
Alfreton Town 1-2 Macclesfield Town
EBBSFLEET'S LAST SIX MATCHES (DLLLWD):
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
Ebbsfleet United 0-0 Stockport County
PREVIOUS LEAGUE MEETINGS:
13.10.2012. Ebbsfleet United 0-0 Alfreton Town
27.03.2012. Ebbsfleet United 1-2 Alfreton Town
24.09.2011. Alfreton Town 2-2 Ebbsfleet United
LAST TIME OUT:
Ebbsfleet United 0-0 Alfreton Town.
Preston Edwards produced a Man of the Match performance to give relegation threatened Ebbsfleet a point at home to Alfreton. The young shot stopped came out with 2 or 3 blinding stops to keep the visitors at bay. They would have been heading home with three points in the bag had it not been for him.
Attendance: 804.
HOW THE BOOKIES SEE IT:
William Hill have Alfreton to win at Evens with the 'Fleet at 13/5 and a draw coming in at 5/2. Six of the 'Fleet's eleven draws have ended 1-1. If you fancy a 1-1 draw the odds are 7/1.
Bet Victor have Alfreton to win at 21/20 with the 'Fleet at 5/2. A draw sees odds of 13/5. If you fancy Nathan Elder to score with the 'Fleet winning 1-2 then you can get odds of 35/1.
Ladbrokes also have Alfreton at Evens. The 'Fleet are 2/1 to win with 12/5 the odds for a draw. If you fancy a 2-0 home win then the odds for that are 10/1.
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