Ebbsfleet United v Gosport Borough

Ebbsfleet United will have to put aside any thoughts of next Saturday's North Kent Derby as they're in League action against Gosport Borough this Saturday.

The Fleet will look to continue their impressive form of late when the 'Boro visit Stonebridge Road. The Hampshire outfit have struggled all season and find themselves second from bottom in the Skrill South.

Gosport Borough

Founded – 1944

Nickname – The 'Boro

Ground – Privett Park

Manager – Alex Pike

Last season's finish - 5^th (Southern League – play-off winners)

Current position – 21^st

• Founded in 1944 as Gosport Borough Athletic Club. The initial aims were to bring back football, athletics, swimming and cycling to the town of Gosport.
• Managed by former Southampton player Stan Cribb, the 'Boro won the Portsmouth and District League Division One in their first season.
• Gosport won the Hampshire League Division One the following season.
• They were elected into the Southern League structure for the 1978/79 season after winning back-to-back Hampshire League titles.
• The next four seasons they finished in the top four in each of them, and were placed in the Southern League Premier Division for the 1982/83 season after the league was restructured. This was the season the Fleet and Gosport first met in League action.
• The 'Boro did get relegated two seasons later, but bounced back straight away after winning 16 of the last 19 matches. A 5-0 victory over Salisbury on the final day ensured they were promoted.
• Two relegations in three seasons saw the 'Boro relegated to the Wessex League in 1992.
• In December 2005, Gosport appointed Alex Pike as manager. Pike had a history of success in the Wessex League, winning it three times, and he was successful once again as Gosport won the Wessex League in 2006/07. The were elected back into the Southern League two weeks later.
• Pike didn't settle for just one success with the 'Boro as he guided them to back-to-back promotions into the Conference South for the first time in their history. In 2011/12 they beat Poole Town to gain promotion to the Premier Division of the Southern League before beating Hemel Hempstead in the play-off final of the Premier Division the following season.

Facts:

• Much travelled professional footballer Steve Claridge played for Gosport Borough in the 2011/12 season.
• The highest attendance at Privett Park was set in 1953 during an FA Amateur Cup match v Pegasus - 4,770 spectators turned out.
• Gosport Borough have never gone past the FA Cup 4^th qualifying round in their history.

The Squad

Goalkeepers – Nathan Ashmore, Gareth Barfoot

Defenders – Jonny Brogden, Robbie Flooks, Paul Hinshelwood, Luke King, Ellis Martin, Lee Molyneaux, Sam Pearce, Brett Poate

Midfielders – Nick Awford, Jack Barton, Jamie Brown ©, Tom Dunford, Michael Gosney, Sammy Igoe, Bradey Norton, Danny Smith, Adam Wilde, Dan Woodward

Attackers – Justin Bennett, Tim Sills, Andy Forbes, Rory Williams, Dan Wooden

The Form Guide

In my Skrill South preview at the start of the season, I predicted Gosport to be a surprise package and shock a few teams in this division. Unfortunately for the 'Boro they've picked up just one win in their opening nine matches and find themselves down in 21^st place. Their only victory came at home to fellow strugglers Tonbridge Angels.

The 'Boro are the lowest scorers in the Skrill South so far, scoring just six goals in nine matches, conceding fifteen in the process. They have failed to find the net in four League matches so far this season and will be clear underdogs going into the game at Stonebridge Road.

Four of the six goals scored have come in the second half of matches, their goals against have been spread with eight coming in the first half of matches and nine in the second half.

Last five matches

Bishop's Stortford 4-0 Gosport Borough – 05.10.13

Bath City 2-0 Gosport Borough – FA Cup – 28.09.13

Gosport Borough 2-0 Tonbridge Angels – 21.09.13

Boreham Wood 2-0 Gosport Borough – 14.09.13

Gosport Borough 0-2 Maidenhead United – 07.09.13

The 'Boro have also been in County Cup action as they beat Fareham Town 2-0 in the Hampshire Senior Cup on Tuesday 8 October.

LLWLL

Scored -2

Conceded – 10

-8

Last time out

Bishop's Stortford 4-0 Gosport Borough.

It was a disappointing day out for the 'Boro last time as they took a hammering at Bishop's Stortford.

Goals from George Allen, Kyle Vassell (penalty), Cliff Akurang and Matt Johnson made sure Gosport continued their poor start to the season.

Attendance: 504

Key players

Captain Jamie Brown has scored three of the six goals that 'Boro have scored this season, and has been influential from midfield. Despite him being towards the end of his career, veteran midfielder Sammy Igoe is still a capable player at this level and the Fleet will need to make sure he has no effect on the game.

Team news

Recent signing Tim Sills is in contention to make his debut for the 'Boro.

Now let's 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 – Dean Rance, Stacy Long, Daryl McMahon, Tom Phipp, Michael Corcoran, Chris Sessegnon, Anthony Cook, Dominic Green.

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

The Form Guide

After a relatively poor start to the season, it finally looks as if the Fleet have picked up and are on the way up. The reds are now six unbeaten in all competitions, with five of them being victories including two league victories over top five sides.

The Fleet have turned their goal difference around in the League now, after hitting six past Weston Super-Mare and three past table toppers Eastleigh. 18 goals have now been scored so far this campaign, with 11 conceded.

The slightly worrying thing perhaps, is of course the amount of draws that have occurred for the Fleet with six of the eleven matches ending all squad.

Last five matches

Ebbsfleet United 2-0 Eastbourne Borough – FA Cup – 12.10.13

Ebbsfleet United 3-1 Eastleigh – 08.10.13

Weston Super-Mare 0-6 Ebbsfleet United – 05.10.13

Ebbsfleet United 1-0 Folkestone Invicta – FA Cup – 28.09.13

Ebbsfleet United 0-0 Boreham Wood – 21.09.13

The Fleet were also in Kent Senior Cup action as they beat Sittingbourne 6-1 away from home on Tuesday 3 October.

WWWWD

Scored – 12

Conceded – 1

+11

Last time out

Ebbsfleet United 2-0 Eastbourne Borough.

Two Ben May headers in the first half were enough to send the Fleet into the next round of the FA Cup and set up a derby day tie with local rivals Dartford.

Both of the goals came courtesy of Anthony Cook's set pieces. May could, and should, have made it three straight after half time as he hit against the bar from seven yards out when it was definitely easier to score.

Attendance: 901.

Key players

Since returning from his back injury, Ben May has been absolutely vital for the Fleet. A proper target man and somebody who can link up the play and create chances for himself as well as others, a real nuisance for defenders, the Fleet will be hoping he can stay fit for as long as possible. As always, Anthony Cook will pose a big threat to the Gosport defence.

Team news

Dean Rance definitely misses out after picking up his fifth booking of the season last time out, and Grant Basey still remains on the sidelines. Andy Pugh could return from the ankle injury he suffered at Sittingbourne, although this could well be his last game as his loan deal expires after the game. Manager Steve Brown has stated he would like to extend it, but the ball is in Cambridge's court. Daryl McMahon limped off against Eastbourne, but should be back fit and ready to play.

Previous meetings

You would have to go back to October of 1979 to see the first competitive meeting between the two sides; a 1-1 draw away from home in the FA Trophy 1^st qualifying round. The Fleet won the replay 2-1.

The sides have met ten times in competitive action over the years and the Fleet lead the head-to-head. The last meeting between the sides was in April, 1990. The Fleet ran out 1-0 winners.

Fleet wins: 5

'Boro wins: 2

Draws: 3

Last five meetings

Gravesend and Northfleet 1-0 Gosport Borough – Southern League Premier – 07.04.1990

Gosport Borough 0-1 Gravesend and Northfleet – Southern League Premier – 30.12.1989

Gravesend and Northfleet 4-0 Gosport Borough – Southern League Premier – 29.03.1986

Gosport Borough 1-0 Gravesend and Northfleet – Southern League Premier – 02.11.1985

Gravesend and Northfleet 0-0 Gosport Borough – Southern League Premier – 25.02.1984

Who's your money with?

Ladbrokes have the Fleet clear favourites at 2/5 with Gosport a very generous 6/1. A draw for this match sees odds of 13/4. If you fancy a 3-0 home win then odds for that are 8/1, compared to 80/1 for a 3-0 away win.

As you'd expect, the Fleet are also clear favourites with Bet Victor with a price of 4/9. Gosport are 13/2 and a draw is 33/10. A sneaky 1-0 away win sees odds of 19/1.

If you're able to make the 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, @GosportBoroFC or @FleetAdventures for pre-match talk, match talk and post match reaction.

Enjoy the game.

Come on you Reds!