Weston Super-Mare v Ebbsfleet United

The Fleet will need to up their game if they're to get anything from the next match, as they travel to high flyers Weston Super-Mare. The hosts have enjoyed a good start to the season and find themselves in third place in the Skrill South.

Weston Super-Mare

Founded – 1887 (reformed in 1948)

Ground – Woodspring Stadium (3,500 capacity)

Nickname – The Seagulls

Manager – Craig Laird

Last season's finish - 7^th

Current position - 3^rd

• Founded in 1887, the Club's first match was against local rivals Clevedon Town.
• Joined the Western Football League structure in 1900
• The Club disbanded in 1938
• Reformed in 1948 and rejoined the Western Football League structure
• The Seagulls took part in the FA Cup for the first time the following season, losing to Gloucester City in the preliminary qualifying round.
• Weston Super-Mare were placed in the Premier Division of the Western League in 1976, due to the creation of a second tier. This meant that in the centenary season (1987), the Club had never been promoted or relegated.
• The Club finally won promotion to the Southern League structure in 1992, under the guidance of John Ellener.
• 2003 saw another promotion for the Seagulls. This time, they were promoted to the Premier Division of the Southern League. They clinched promotion with a victory away at rivals Clevedon Town. The two Clubs haven't met in the League since then.
• In their first season in the Premier Division they finished 10^th, which allowed them entry into the newly structured Conference South.
• In their time in the Conference South, the Seagulls have finished in the relegation zone three times, but have never actually been relegated.
• In 2010/11, the Seagulls won the Somerset Premier Cup for the first time in their history as they beat Yeovil Town in the final. They retained it the following year, beating Clevedon Town.

The Squad

Goalkeepers – Luke Purnell, Lloyd Irish, Victor Silvestre

Defenders – Martin Slocombe, Pete Monks, Jamie Laird, Callum Laird, Jordan Walker

Midfielders – Ashley Kington, Ollie Knowles, Naby Diallo, Brett Trowbridge, Kane Ingram, Dayle Grubb, Ben Kirk, Bradley Ash, Louis Feeley

Strikers – Jake Harris, Tristian Plummer, Chaz Hemmings, Kayne McLaggon, Leon Jeanne

Last five matches

The Seagulls are currently sitting third in the table after a good start and are unbeaten in their last six matches. They've kept three clean sheets in their last five matches.

Whitehawk 0-0 Weston Super-Mare – 21.09.13

Weston Super-Mare 0-0 Maidenhead United – 17.09.13

Dover Athletic 1-2 Weston Super-Mare – 14.09.13

Weston Super-Mare 3-0 Boreham Wood – 07.09.13

Chelmsford City 1-2 Weston Super-Mare – 31.08.13

DDWWW

Goals: 7

Conceded: 2

Since their last League match against Whitehawk, the Seagulls have been in action twice.

They travelled to the Camrose on Saturday 28 September to face Basingstoke Town in the FA Cup 2^nd qualifying round. The Seagulls ran out 3-1 winners to progress to the next round. They bagged a home tie with Brislington.

Weston were also in Somerset Premier Cup action on Tuesday 01 October. They faced Chard Town who are four league below them, and came out on top in a 5-0 rout.

Key player

Tristian Plummer. The striker was on the bench for Saturday's game against Basingstoke, but has scored 4 goals in 8 matches so far this season. The former Hereford man has been the star man for the Seagulls so far this season and will look to continue against an Ebbsfleet side who have won just one league game all season. Midfielder Naby Diallo could also cause the Fleet some problems.

Manager Craig Laird should have a near full squad to choose from.

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).

Last five matches

The Fleet have had a bad start to the season and find themselves in 15^th place with just one win from the opening nine matches.

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

Dorchester Town 1-3 Ebbsfleet United – 31.08.13

DLDDW

Goals: 6

Conceded: 6

The Fleet, like their opponents, have had two Cup matches since their last league outing.

The reds overcame a resilient Folkestone Invicta side at Stonebridge Road last Saturday. Daryl McMahon's free kick in the sixth minute was enough to give the Fleet a victory and progression to the next round of the FA Cup where they will face Eastbourne Borough at home. The Sports beat Farnborough 2-0 in a replay on Tuesday.

The Fleet played Sittingbourne in Round Two of the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday. Despite a spirited second half, the hosts were no match for a Fleet side who finally found their shooting boots. Goals from Ben May (2), Alex Osborn (2), Billy Bricknell and Anthony Cook were enough to give the Fleet a 6-1 win. The draw for the next round takes place after the Dartford v Charlton Athletic match on October 16.

Key player 

Ben May. The striker is recently back from injury and looking sharp. The former Dover man has cause the opposition defenders all sorts of problems, and could be vital if the Fleet are to get anything out of this game. 

Team news 

Andy Pugh and Grant Basey both went off injured on Tuesday night. Although it's unknown whether either will feature, both looked in some discomfort and I wouldn't be surprised if they're missing from the squad on Saturday. Stacy Long missed the Folkestone game through injury and will be hoping to be back in contention soon. 

Previous matches

The two Clubs have met twice in League action over the years and twice in Cup competition. Weston lead the head-to-head.

Weston wins: 2

Fleet wins: 1

Draws: 1

Weston Super-Mare 3-2 Ebbsfleet United – Blue Square Bet South – 19.03.11

Ebbsfleet United 3-1 Weston Super-Mare – Blue Square Bet South – 18.09.10

Weston Super-Mare 1-0 Gravesend and Northfleet – FA Trophy – 20.01.04

Gravesend and Northfleet 2-2 Weston Super-Mare – FA Trophy – 10.01.04

How the bookies see it

Ladbrokes have the hosts favourites at 11/10 with the Fleet at 23/10. A draw for this match sees odds of 21/10. If you fancy the Fleet to grab a 1-0 win, you can get odds of 8/1.

Bet Victor also have the home side down as favourites at 11/10. The odds for a Fleet win are 12/5 with a draw also 12/5. A 2-0 home win sees odds of 19/2.

If you're able to make the match at the Woodspring Stadium, then admission prices are as follows:

Adults - £12

Concessions - £8

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

Elsewhere in the Skrill South

League leaders Eastleigh host new boys Concord Rangers looking to stay in first position while Bromley, just one point behind, travel to strugglers Boreham Wood. It's fourth verses sixth at Gander Green Lane as Sutton United host the Fleet's cup opponents Eastbourne Borough. Dover Athletic look to record their first home win since defeating the Fleet second game into the season. The visitors at Crabble on Saturday are Dorchester Town, who sit bottom of the table. Interestingly, due to money problems and lack of players, Town boss Phil Simkin (aged 60) has said he's contemplating registering himself as a player to fill the bench. Bishop's Stortford entertain struggling Gosport Borough who picked up their first victory last time out. That victory came against Tonbridge Angels who will have their work cut out against fifth placed Staines Town. Chelmsford City have had a nightmare start to the season. They find themselves occupying the last relegation place and are out of the FA Cup after an embarrassing defeat to Biggleswade. The Clarets are at home on Saturday and they'll be looking to beat Bath City who sit in 14^th. Hayes and Yeading suffered FA Cup disappointment on Tuesday as they lost to Tonbridge in a replay. They travel to Basingstoke Town on Saturday, looking to keep up their solid start to the season. The hosts have been just as solid and sit one place ahead of their opponents. Farnborough will play just their sixth game of the season when they entertain Whitehawk. The visitors are four unbeaten at the moment and will look to continue that run at Paddy Power Park. The last match to talk about is Maidenhead v Havant and Waterlooville. Neither side have pulled up any trees so far and sit in 11^th and 16^th respectively. With the League as close as it is though, a win or two can push any side right up the table.