Ebbsfleet United v Boreham Wood

The Fleet will look to get over their disappointing loss to Chelmsford as they entertain Boreham Wood on Saturday. The visitors, like the Fleet, have had a poor start to the season having won two of their opening eight matches.

Let's take a look at the visitors...

Boreham Wood FC

Founded - 1948

Nickname – The Wood

Ground – Meadow Park

Manager – Ian Allinson

Last season's finish - 9^th

Current position - 20^th

• Boreham Wood were founded in 1948 after Boreham Rovers and Royal Retournez combined.
• Joined the Athenian League structure in 1966.
• Two promotions followed, and they then joined the Isthmian League in 1974/75 after winning the top division of the Athenian League structure.
• Won promotion to the Isthmian Premier in 1977 and then became a yo-yo Club, bouncing between the top two divisions for the next several years.
• After a short spell in the Southern League structure, the Wood were back in the Isthmian League Premier and won promotion to the Conference South in 2010 for the first time in their History.
• The Club have reached the FA Cup second round proper twice in their history (1996/97 and 1997/98), but have never reached the third round.

Did you know? Boreham Wood's Meadow Park hosts Arsenal Ladies and Arsenal Academy matches. Also used to host Watford reserve games.

The Squad

Goalkeepers – James Russell, James Courtnage, Daniel Macateer.

Defenders – Charlie O'Loughlin, Mark Jones, Sam Doolan, Jerome Jibodu, Ben Nunn, Kyle Thompson, Callum Reynolds.

Midfielders – Luke Garrard, Robert Hastings, Karl Brown, Mario Noto, Sam Cox, Jake Hall, Mark Bentley, Greg Morgan, Graeme Montgomery, Matty Whichelow, Ricky Shakes.

Attackers – Calum Willock, Donovan Simmonds, Jake Wooley, Raheem Stirling Parker.

Last five matches

The Wood have struggled so far this season, and have picked up just one win on their travels – a 2-0 victory at Tonbridge Angels on the opening day. There has not been less than two goals in a match involving Boreham Wood this season.

Farnborough 2-0 Boreham Wood – 17.09.13

Boreham Wood 2-0 Gosport Borough – 14.09.13

Weston Super-Mare 3-0 Boreham Wood – 07.09.13

Boreham Wood 0-3 Eastleigh – 31.08.13

Staines Town 3-1 Boreham Wood – 26.08.13

LWLLL

Scored: 3

Conceded: 11

Last time out

Farnborough 2-0 Boreham Wood

A goal in each half from Scott Donnelly was enough for the hosts.

The dead ball specialist had a perfect opportunity on 25 minutes and took full advantage after Mark Bentley conceded a free kick 30 yards out. The striker found the top corner perfectly.

In an open game, both sides created chances but it wasn't until injury time that the game was killed off when Donnelly struck home a penalty.

Attendance: 338

Key man

Donovan Simmonds. The service to the striker will need to be good, and he'll need to be putting chances away as the Fleet look to bounce back from defeat.

Team news

Former Fleet players Ricky Shakes and Calum Willock have been missing from the line up in recent matches, and it is unknown whether they will be in the squad against the Fleet. Manager Ian Allinson should have a near full squad to choose from.

Now let's take a look at the Fleet...

The Squad

Goalkeepers – Preston Edwards, Brandon Hall.

Defenders – Aiden Palmer, Joe Howe, Osei Sankofa, Shane Huke, Paul Lorraine ©.

Midfielders – Michael Corcoran, Tom Phipp, Stacy Long, Dean Rance, Daryl McMahon, Cesc Fakinos, Anthony Cook, Dominic Green, Chris Sessegnon (on loan at Cray Wanderers).

Attackers – Ben May (injured), Billy Bricknell, Michael Thalassitis (on loan from Stevenage), Alex Osborn (on loan from Dagenham), Andy Pugh (on loan from Cambridge United).

Last five matches

The Fleet have picked up just eight points in their opening eight matches, with their only victory coming against bottom club Dorchester Town.

Ebbsfleet United 0-2 Chelmsford City – 17.09.13

Basingstoke Town 2-2 Ebbsfleet United – 14.09.13

Ebbsfleet United 1-1 Bath City – 07.09.13

Dorchester Town 1-3 Ebbsfleet United – 31.08.13

Ebbsfleet United 1-1 Maidenhead United – 26.08.13

Last time out

Ebbsfleet United 0-2 Chelmsford City.

The Fleet slumped to a disappointing defeat in front of new owner Dr. Abdulla Al-Humaidi.

Chelmsford, on a run of four straight defeats, limited the Fleet to long range efforts as they produced a brilliant away performance that lifted them outside of the relegation zone.

Rob Edmans proved a handful all night and finally got his reward in the 73^rd minute when he got on the end of a Charlie Henry cross to head firmly into the bottom corner, leaving Preston Edwards no chance. His strike partner grabbed the second goal eight minutes from time.

Tom Derry, on loan from Gillingham, was the catalyst in a brilliant breakaway from the visitors as he drove forward and played a ball out wide for Bagasan Graham. The young winger produced a great ball along the floor and Derry got on the end of it to send the travelling fans wild.

The defeat left the Fleet in 16^th place in the League.

Attendance: 696.

Key man

Dean Rance. The young midfielder has been in brilliant form for the Fleet lately. His drive and determination in the middle of the park is key for the Fleet. The attacking side of midfield hasn't produced much for the Fleet. A playmaker in alongside him will compliment him very well and could work wonders for the side.

Team news

Ben May (back) is still missing. Michael Corcoran (groin) could return, while Andy Pugh goes straight into the squad after signing on loan from Cambridge United for a month.

Previous meetings

The two Clubs didn't meet competitively until February, 1998 when the Fleet lost 4-1 away from home. The Fleet lead the head-to-head between the two sides. In six matches at Stonebridge Road against Boreham Wood, the Fleet have won four of those, drawn one, and lost one.

Fleet wins: 7

Boreham Wood wins: 4

Draws: 1

Last five meetings

Ebbsfleet United 2-2 Boreham Wood – Blue Square Bet South – 05.03.11

Ebbsfleet United 3-0 Boreham Wood – FA Cup – 23.10.10

Boreham Wood 0-1 Ebbsfleet United – Blue Square Bet South – 16.10.10

Gravesend and Northfleet 1-3 Boreham Wood – FA Trophy – 14.01.06

Gravesend and Northfleet 0-1 Boreham Wood – Ryman Premier – 20.04.02

How the bookies see it

The Fleet are EVENS to win this match with Ladbrokes. The visitors are 12/5 and a draw is 9/4. If you fancy the Fleet to grab a 2-1 victory, then odds for that are 15/2.

Bet Victor have the Fleet slight favourites at 21/20 with the visitors at 5/2. A draw is also 5/2. If you think Boreham Wood can repeat what Chelmsford did on Tuesday (2-0 win) then the odds for that are 18/1.

If you're able to attend the game, then admission prices are as follows:

Adults - £10

Concessions (students, OAPs) - £8

Under 16s - £5

Under 12s – FREE with a paying adult.

If you're unable to attend the game for whatever reason, then follow @EUFCofficial, @Boreham_WoodFC or @FleetAdventures for pre-match talk, match updates and post match reaction.

Enjoy the game.

Up the Fleet!