Ebbsfleet United v Eastleigh

Ebbsfleet United host league leaders Eastleigh on Tuesday looking to pick up where they left off in the last match. The Fleet travelled to Weston Super-Mare on Saturday and put six past the high flyers in a 6-0 demolition job.

Eastleigh FC

Founded - 1946

Ground – Silverlake Stadium

Nickname – The Spitfires

Manager – Richard Hill

Last season's finish - 4^th

Current position - 1^st

• Founded in 1946, the Spitfires were then known as Swaythling Athletic. They dropped the 'Athletic' soon after.
• Swaythling joined the Hampshire League in 1950.
• Moved to the Silverlake Stadium in 1957. Previously played at Southampton Common and Westfield. Neither of these two host football now.
• Renamed Eastleigh in 1980.
• Became one of the founder members of the Wessex League in 1986 and won promotion to the Southern League structure in the 2002/03 season.
• Due to the formation of the Conference North and South, the Spitfires were promoted to the Isthmian League Premier in 2003/04.
• They won promotion to the Conference South in their first season in the Isthmian League Premier. They beat Braintree Town in the play-off semi finals, and beat Leyton in the final.
• Missed out on promotion to the Conference Premier in 2008/09 after losing to Hayes and Yeading United in the play-off semi finals. Remarkably, the Spitfires lead the tie 4-0 at one point!
• Ownership of the Club changed in 2011 when Bridle Insurance Limited had an offer for majority shareholding of the Club accepted.
• Missed out on promotion again last season as they lost in the semi finals again to Dover Athletic. Despite winning 2-0 away in the second leg, the Spitfires eventually lost on penalties.

Record attendance:

The record attendance was set during a friendly match with Southampton in 2007. 3,191 packed into the Silverlake Stadium. The record League attendance was set in a match with AFC Wimbledon in 2009. The attendance that day was 2,283.

In the last ten seasons, Eastleigh have only made it to the FA Cup 1^st round proper on one occasion.

The squad

Goalkeepers – Ross Flitney, Jack Dovey, Tom Coffey

Defenders – Daniel Spence, Michael Green, Dean Beckwith, Chris Todd, Chris Dillon, Ryan Fuller, Damian Batt

Midfielders – Jamie Collins, Jai Reason, Will Evans, Romone Rose, Jamie Bulpitt, Glen Southam ©

Attackers – Yemi Odubade, Stuart Fleetwood, Craig McAllister, Ben Stevens, Sam Wilson

The form guide

The Spitfires have lost just one game this season and are unbeaten in seven Skrill South matches. Their only loss came away at Basingstoke Town. The last three League matches Eastleigh have played have all been at home and they picked up seven points from nine in that short period as well as progressing in the FA Cup.

Last five matches

Eastleigh 1-1 Concord Rangers – 05.10.13

Eastleigh 1-0 Hayes and Yeading United – 21.09.13

Eastleigh 2-0 Eastbourne Borough – 17.09.13

Maidenhead United 1-3 Eastleigh – 14.09.13

Eastleigh 2-1 Bromley – 07.09.13

DWWWW

Goals – 9

Conceded – 3

+6

The Spitfires have also been in Cup action in recent weeks too. They crushed Magnotsfield United at the Silverlake Stadium in the FA Cup 2^nd qualifying round, but lost 1-0 at home to Whitchurch United in the Hampshire Senior Cup.

Last time out

Eastleigh 1-1 Concord Rangers.

Jai Reason's sweetly struck effort cancelled out Leon Gordon's early goal for the away side.

Gordon pounced with twelve minutes gone after Sam Collins' effort was parried by Ross Flitney in the Spitfires goal.

The hosts created numerous openings but it wasn't until the 33^rd minute the goal came. Reason combined with Stuart Fleetwood before striking home low into the bottom corner.

Attendance: 551

Key players

Jai Reason is one of the Spitfires most important players. The influential midfielder has proven over the last few seasons just what he can do, and he certainly has an eye for goal. Reason hit double figures last season and has scored three so far this season. Michael Green has been on form for Eastleigh so far this season. The full back has a very attacking mind and will want to attack the Fleet defence as much as possible.

Ross Flitney and Ben Strevens have been key for the Spitfires too and, of course, Stuart Fleetwood. Fleet fans will know the Welshmen very well, as he's scored against them for both Forest Green Rovers and Luton Town. Most people were surprised to see him drop down to the Skrill South in the summer and it is only a matter of time before he begins banging the goals in for fun.

Team news

Dan Spence could be the only casualty for the visitors, although former Oxford full back Damian Batt has come in to replace him. Other than that, Richard Hill should have a pretty much full squad to choose from.

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

The Squad

Goalkeepers – Preston Edwards, Brandon Hall

Defenders – Osei Sankofa, Joe Howe, Aiden Palmer, Grant Basey, Paul Lorraine, Shane Huke

Midfielders – Chris Sessegnon, Dominic Green, Anthony Cook, Dean Rance, Daryl McMahon, Michael Corcoran, Stacy Long, Tom Phipp, Cesc Fakinos

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

The form guide

The Fleet had been struggling for goals for most of their matches, but finally found their shooting boots on Saturday as they demolished third placed (at the time) Weston Super-Mare. The Fleet are still waiting for that first victory in front of their home fans.

Stonebridge Road Fact

The Fleet have not scored a single goal in the second half of matches at Stonebridge Road this season.

Last five matches

Weston Super-Mare 0-6 Ebbsfleet United – 05.10.13

Ebbsfleet United 0-0 Boreham Wood – 21.09.13

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

WDLDD

Goals – 9

Conceded – 5

+4

Like their opponents, the Fleet have played twice in cup competitions recently. They beat Folkestone 1-0 in the FA Cup at Stonebridge Road, and beat Sittingbourne 6-1 the following Tuesday in the Kent Senior Cup.

Last time out

Weston Super-Mare 0-6 Ebbsfleet United.

The Fleet finally found their shooting boots in the Skrill South as they beat Weston Super-Mare 6-0 away from home. Alex Osborn and Anthony Cook both bagged a brace and Billy Bricknell got on the scoresheet. A Martin Slocombe own goal early on put the Fleet ahead. Preston Edwards made sure the Fleet kept their third clean sheet of the season as he saved a Tristian Plummer penalty in the first half.

Attendance: 356.

Key players

Since returning from his back injury, Ben May has been in good form for the Fleet. The target man appears to be the difference so far and Fleet fans will be hoping he stays injury free as they look to climb the table. Anthony Cook is another player who's vital for the Fleet. The winger has been in great form this season.

Team news

Grant Basey and Andy Pugh both look set to miss out again. The latter will be unhappy with how things have turned out for him. This loan spell was a real chance to prove himself to Cambridge United, but an ankle injury suffered at Sittingbourne has put an end to that for now. Ben May continues to thrive after coming back from injury and Chris Sessegnon came on for his first competitive appearance on Saturday. The winger set up both of Anthony Cook's goals and will be knocking on the door soon enough if he continues in that fashion.

Previous matches

Due to not being at the same level, the Fleet and the Spitfires have only met twice competitively. The Fleet won one, with the other one being a draw.

Fleet wins: 1

Eastleigh wins: 0

Draws: 1

Eastleigh 0-3 Ebbsfleet United – Blue Square Bet South – 16.04.2011

Ebbsfleet United 2-2 Eastleigh – Blue Square Bet South – 08.02.2011

The two Clubs are the bookies favourites to gain promotion, but how do they see this match going?

Well, Ladbrokes have the visitors favourites at 23/20 with the Fleet a generous 2/1. A draw for this sees odds of 23/10. If you fancy a 2-1 home win, then you can get odds of 9/1.

Bet Victor also have the visitors favourites at 5/4, with the Fleet 21/10. If you fancy a draw, then odds for that are 12/5. A 1-0 away victory sees odds of 7/1.

If you're able to attend Tuesday's match then admission prices are as follows:

Adults – £10

Concessions - £8

Under 16s - £5

Under 12s – FREE with an adult.

If you're unable to make the match, then follow @EUFCofficial, @FleetAdventures or @eastleighfc for match chat, updates and post-match reaction.

Enjoy the game.

Come on you Reds!