Ebbsfleet United v Gloucester City; Will the Tigers roar again?

Ebbsfleet United take a short break from League action this Saturday as they host Gloucester City in the FA Trophy. The Tigers are currently bottom of the Skrill North with ten points from sixteen games. The Fleet's 2-1 victory away at Hayes and Yeading midweek moved them up to third in the Skrill South.

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

Gloucester City

Founded – 1883 (as Gloucester FC)

Nickname – the Tigers

Stadium – Whaddon Road (groundshare with Cheltenham Town FC)

Manager – David Mehew

Captain – Matt Coupe

Last season's finish - 11^th

Current position - 22^nd

• Gloucester FC were founded on March 5, 1883 but did not play their first competitive match under 1889; a 10-0 victory over Clifton Association Reserves in the FA Junior Challenge Cup.
• Changed name to Gloucester City in 1925 and turned semi-professional in the 1934/35 season after a league (Gloucestershire Northern Senior League) and cup double. City joined the Birmingham Combination League and moved into a new stadium in Longlevens.
• Reg Weaver (former Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers) destroyed previous goalscoring records in the 1937/38 season when he hammered home 67 goals! He went on to score a very respectable 103 goals in 84 appearances for the Club.
• The Club joined the Southern League structure in 1939 where they would remain for the next 70 years.
• Reached the FA Cup first round in three consecutive seasons from 48-51, losing to Mansfield Town, Norwich City and Bristol City on each occasion.
• The following season, the record attendance at Longlevens was set. Tottenham Hotspur were the visitors and 10,500 spectators saw City beat their much higher opponents 2-1.
• The 1955/56 season saw City's first taste of success in the Southern League when they beat Yeovil Town in the Southern League Cup final. Astonishingly, it all looked over for City as they lost 4-1 in the first leg but fortunately for them they put on a show in the second leg to win 6-5 on aggregate.
• Moved to Horton Park in 1964 to be closer to the centre of Gloucester. At the time, Horton Park could hold over 30,000 spectators!
• The Club clinched promotion to the Premier Division of the Southern League in the 1981/82 season after a sixth placed finish and were runners up in the League Club. City lost 2-1 in the final to Wealdstone, a side that featured Stuart Pearce.
• The Club yet again moved grounds in 1986, this time to Meadow Park in the Hempstead area. Horton Road became a housing estate and some of the roads were named after City legends: (Stan) Myers Road, (Dicky) Etheridge Place and (Ron) Coltman Close.
• After spending three seasons in the Midland Division, City finally won promotion in the 1988/89 season when former Aston Villa player and Wales International Brian Godfrey was appointed manager. City won the League away at Kings Lynn in the penultimate game of the season.
• The following season, the Tigers enjoyed their best ever FA Cup run; they lost in a second round replay at home to Cardiff City.
• The winter of 1990 was harsh to Gloucester City as Gloucester's worst snow in a century which caused flooding in the local areas once it had thawed. The Meadow Park pitch was under four feet of water and the pitch was out of action for a month. When the Tigers returned to Meadow Park, they beat Gosport Borough 9-0.

• 

  Meadow Park under eight feet of water.

  There was more Meadow Park heartbreak for the Club in 2007 when floods were destroying parts of Britain. Unfortunately for the Tigers, their stadium was destroyed as the pitch lay under eight feet of water. The Club have been playing away from home since.
• Despite the devastation, the Tigers managed to secure promotion to the Conference North in 2009, beating Farnborough FC 1-0 in the Southern League Premier play-off final. This was to be the first time the Tigers have ever played at this level.
• The Club have played at Cheltenham Town's Whaddon Road since 2010 after having brief spells at The New Lawn (Forest Green Rovers) and The Corinium Stadium (Cirencester Town).
  
  

The Squad

Goalkeepers – Mike Green, Steve Sparrow, Nathan Phillips

Defenders – Michael Green, Matt Coupe, Jack Harris, Sam Rawlings, Ryan Batten, Danny Haile, Kirtys McKenzie (on loan from Torquay United)

Midfielders - Tom Webb, Sam Turl, Matt Groves, Lewis Hogg, Darren Mullings, Matt Liddiard, Jordan Goddard (on loan from Bristol Rovers), Zack Kotwica (on loan from Cheltenham Town)

Attackers - Will Morford, Darren Edwards, Scott Wilson, Joe Parker (on loan from Newport County), Connnor Waldon (on loan from Swindon Town)

• Tom Webb has made over 500 appearances for the Gloucestershire outfit. Webb, 29, joined the Club in 2001 and, remarkably, played every single minute of every match during the 2004/05 campaign. At just 29 years of age, if he stays with the Tigers, he could end up making over 700 appearances for them!

One to watch

Darren Mullings. The box to box midfielder has been influential in the three years he's spent with the Tigers and certainly has an eye for goal, scoring over 20 goals in his time at Whaddon Road. Joe Parker is the 'future star' in this side. The 18 year old has already scored an FA Cup hat-trick (v Yate Town) and has been snapped up by a Football-League Club. Newport County of League Two pounced to secure his signature last week but have allowed him to spend the rest of the season on loan at the Tigers. One City fan had this to say: “Joe Parker is a great prospect, but , although scoring an FA Cup hat trick and signing for Newport, has yet to truly become a first team regular.''

Team News

Lewis Hogg could be the only casualty for Saturday's clash.

The Form Guide

Other than a run in the FA Cup, it's been a season to forget for the Tigers so far. Rooted to the bottom of the table with just two victories in sixteen games isn't what fans were forecasting in pre-season. When asked about expectations and the season so far, Gloucester fan DaveAngel had this to say: “Awful, apart from the Cups. Bottom, and I expected mid table. I'm confident we will start climbing the table soon... Ish. “

The Tigers have lost ten games in the League so far this season, conceding 36 goals in the process.

Of course, the cup's have been fairly kind to them as they made it to the first round proper of the FA Cup, losing 2-0 to League Two outfit Fleetwood Town. The Tigers beat Skrill South side Boreham Wood to set up this tie with the Fleet.

Last five matches

Vauxhall Motors 3-2 Gloucester City – Skrill North

Boreham Wood 0-1 Gloucester City – FA Trophy

Gloucester City 2-3 Colwyn Bay – Skrill North

Gloucester City 0-2 Fleetwood Town – FA Cup

Bradford Park Avenue 3-1 Gloucester City – Skrill North

LWLLL

Goals – 6

Conceded – 11

GD: - 5

Last time out

Vauxhall Motors 3-2 Gloucester City

Despite a dominating second half performance, the Tigers were handed yet another defeat in the Skrill North as Karl Clair's 87^th minute free kick gave Vauxhall Motors all three points.

Stephen Tames put the hosts a goal up with 14 minutes gone but Darren Edwards equalised with 27 minutes on the clock. Just two minutes later Louis Barnes put Vauxhall back in front. The lead, once again, didn't last too long as Darren Mullings equalised five minutes later.

Mullings himself had a great chance in the second half, along with loan signings Connor Waldon and Kyrtys MacKenzie and Jack Harris but City hearts were broken with three left.

When you're stuck near the bottom of the table, nothing seems to go your way and Clair stepped up and produced a stunning free kick to send City to the bottom of the table.

Attendance: 147

The View from the Meadow Park dugout now.

Previous FA Trophy campaigns

The FA Trophy hasn't really been kind to Gloucester over the years. The Club has only reached the Quarter final twice and they've only reached the semi-final once.

1996/97 was Gloucester City's memory campaign.

The Tigers were just 90 minutes from a Wembley final, but Dagenham and Redbridge beat them 2-1 at Slough Town to progress. The Daggers went onto lose 1-0 in the final to Woking, the last of the Cards' three FA Trophy victories.

It started way back in the third qualifying round with a 3-1 victory at home to Kingstonian. The Tigers then went on to beat Yeading, Halifax Town, Runcorn and Bishop Auckland before falling at the last hurdle.

Gloucester's last FA Trophy campaign (2012/13) was ended at the first hurdle thanks to a 1-0 defeat at home to Maidenhead United.

Ebbsfleet United

Squad

Goalkeepers – Preston Edwards, Brendan Hall

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

Midfielders – Tom Phipp (on loan at Maidstone), Giannoulis Fakinos (on dual-reg at Margate), Dominic Green, Anthony Cook, Stacy Long, Dean Rance, Daryl McMahon, Michael Corcoran

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

• Preston Edwards and Paul Lorraine recently made their 150^th appearance in Ebbsfleet colours as the Fleet beat Hayes and Yeading 2-1.

One to watch

Michael Thalassitis. The striker has started the last three games and has shone in each one. His presence up top proves vital as he makes a nuisance of himself running at defenders and winning balls in the air. The Cypriot U21 international chases down everything. He doesn't score many, but he's vital to the team all the same.

Team news

Ben May (shoulder) looks set to miss out, but Steve Brown should have a near full squad to choose from.

The Form Guide

The Fleet continued their rise up the Skrill South table thanks to a 2-1 victory over Hayes and Yeading. The Fleet are now five unbeaten in all competitions. Manager Steve Brown has said that he and the squad are taking every competition seriously, and this tie has given them a perfect opportunity to progress. The Fleet beat Skrill South table toppers Bromley to set up this tie.

Last five matches

Hayes and Yeading 1-2 Ebbsfleet United – Skrill South

Ebbsfleet United 1-0 Basingstoke Town – Skrill South

Tunbridge Wells 1-3 Ebbsfleet United – Kent Senior Cup

Ebbsfleet United 4-1 Bromley – FA Trophy

Ebbsfleet United 4-0 Concord Rangers – Skrill South

Last time out

Hayes and Yeading 1-2 Ebbsfleet United

A two minute turnaround in the second half gave the Fleet three vital points at Kingfield Stadium with Stacy Long being the master behind it.

Jake Reid put the hosts up midway through the first half and the Fleet were lucky to go in at the break only one behind. Geoff Mitchell, Anthony Furlonge and Luke Williams were all close to scoring.

The Fleet upped the ante in the second half, with Michael Thalassitis, Alex Osborn and substitute Billy Bricknell all going close before the goals came.

Stacy Long was introduced from the bench in place of Daryl McMahon and within six minutes the Fleet were ahead. The Fleet hero firstly blocked a goalbound Anthony Cook effort, turned and struck into the bottom corner before sending a free-kick over that Mitchell turned into his own net. The travelling contingent were delighted but, more importantly, relieved!

Attendance: 139

Previous FA Trophy campaigns

Up until the 2004/05 season, the Fleet had never even made it to the quarter final stage of the tournament, losing out early on most of the time.

The boys in red beat Eastbourne Borough, Histon and Slough Town before falling to Bishop's Stortford. Just two seasons later the Fleet made the QF again.

The Fleet lost at home to AFC Wimbledon in round two but the Wombles were removed for fielding an ineligible player. Gravesend and Northfleet, as they were at the time, went on to beat Rushden and Diamonds in the next round before losing to Northwich Victoria.

After changing their name to Ebbsfleet United before the 2007/08 season, the Fleet had a little success in the FA Trophy.

That very season was the FA Trophy winning season. The Fleet eliminated Carshalton Athletic, Dorchester Town, Weymouth and Burton Albion to set up a two-legged semi-final with runaway Conference Premier leaders Aldershot Town. With the first leg at Stonebridge Road the Fleet knew they needed to achieve a lead to take to the Recreation Ground the following Saturday, and they did just that! Two penalties from Chris McPhee and a second half header from captain Paul McCarthy gave the Fleet a 3-1 lead.

With large travelling support backing them at the away game, a last gasp Michael Bostwick goal tied the game at 1-1 (4-2 on aggregate) and sent the Fleet to Wembley for the first time in their history.

It was a special occasion and with 26,000+ Fleet fans in attendance, McPhee scored the only goal of the game, against his former Club, to make sure the Fleet were victorious.

The following season the Fleet yet again had an FA Trophy run, but fell at the semi-final stage after a 4-2 aggregate loss to Stevenage.

The Fleet's last FA Trophy campaign (2012/13) saw them lose in the first round, 1-0, at home to Hereford.

We've met before

The Fleet and Gloucester were regular opponents back in the Southern League days, before the Fleet's switch to the Isthmian League. This meeting on Saturday is to be the first Cup meeting between the sides.

The two clubs have met 54 times over the years, with Gloucester leading the head-to-head by quite some distance!

Fleet wins: 12

Gloucester wins: 29

Draws: 13

Fleet goals: 67

Gloucester goals: 108

First meeting – Gloucester City 1-6 Gravesend and Northfleet – 12.10.1946

Last meeting – Gloucester City 3-1 Gravesend and Northfleet – 19.04.1997

Biggest victory margin – Gloucester City 7-0 Gravesend and Northfleet – 14.10.1950

Last five meetings

Gloucester City 3-1 Gravesend and Northfleet – Southern League Premier – 19.04.1997

Gravesend and Northfleet 2-3 Gloucester City – Southern League Premier – 22.02.1997

Gravesend and Northfleet 0-0 Gloucester City – Southern League Premier – 26.03.1996

Gloucester City 3-1 Gravesend and Northfleet – Southern League Premier – 02.09.1995

Gravesend and Northfleet 1-0 Gloucester City – Southern League Premier – 15.11.1994

Who's your money with?

Ladbrokes have the Fleet favourites at 1 / 2 with Gloucester at 9/2. A draw for this match sees odds of 3/1.

Bet Victor have pretty much the same odds. The Fleet are 1 / 2 and Gloucester are 9/2. A draw is 33/10.

Predictions:

Tigers fan Dave Angel gave a brief prediction ahead of Saturday's game...

“Hard one. We really need to work on staying up. But I can't want to lose, so I want to win convincingly and give us confidence for our next league game.

I'd say Gravesend and Northfleet will win 3-0 though. They're called what now?''

I'm not normally one for predicting, but I will this time. 3-1 home win with a crowd of 831. 50 or so from Cheltenham Gloucester.

If you're able to attend the match then admission prices are the same as normal league games...

Adults - £10

Concessions - £8

Under 16s - £5

Under 12s – FREE with an adult.

If you're unable to attend the game then follow @EUFCofficial, @FleetAdventures or @GCAFCOfficial for live match updates and post match reaction.

Enjoy the game.

COME ON YOU REDS! 

Hayes and Yeading 1-2 Ebbsfleet United

Hayes and Yeading United 1-2 Ebbsfleet United - Tuesday 26 November - Skrill South

Ebbsfleet United continued to rise up the Skrill South table with a victory at Hayes and Yeading thanks to a superb two-minute spell of devastating play.

The hosts took the lead in the first half through Jake Reid but second half substitute Stacy Long levelled before turning provider just a minute later.

The Fleet named the same side for the third match in a row while the hosts made four changes to the side that lost at home to Weston Super-Mare. Luke Williams, Geoff Mitchell, Tom Bird and Anthony Furlonge all returned to the starting line up and it was the hosts who begun the brighter as Williams sent a fizzing shot just over Preston Edwards' goal with a couple of minutes gone.

Dean Rance fired an effort wide for the Fleet before Hayes went close again. Edwards couldn't gather Williams' cross but luckily for the Fleet number one the ball bounced off Jake Reid and trickled wide for a goal kick.

Good work from Frankie Merrifield allowed Furlonge a sight of goal, albeit from a tight angle, and he drilled his effort wide of the goal. The hosts took the lead soon after though.

Furlonge managed to find some space down the right hand side. The full back broke into the Fleet area and crossed for Mitchell who hit against the woodwork. Fortunately for him, Reid was there to smash home from eight yards out to give Hayes a well deserved one goal lead.

Mitchell was making a nuisance of himself and nearly got his reward just before half-time. The big striker pressured Paul Lorraine into making a dodgy back pass, but the captain was spared when his left footed effort went wide of the goal.

The Fleet could probably count themselves a little lucky to only be one down at half-time, but they took full advantage of it in the second half.

The visitors upped their game in the second half and had a good chance just five minutes in. Michael Thalassitis picked up the ball 25 yards out, took a touch and unleashed a venomous swerving effort which Jamie Young could only chest away to Alex Osborn. The young striker's tame effort was easily picked up by Young.

Daryl McMahon, who wasn't having the best of games, hit a nice ball through for sub Billy Bricknell to run on to, however the striker lost his balance and could only fire wide under pressure from Man of the Match Adam Everitt. Thalassitis forced the save of the match soon after when a quickly taken throw in put him through on goal, Young got down well to save though.

Bricknell came so close to levelling things up on 75 minutes from Chris Sessegnon's cut back, although the striker could only scoop the ball over from ten yards out. The equalising goal came just four minutes later.

Stacy Long, who had only been on the pitch for four minutes, blocked a goal bound Anthony Cook effort. The influential midfielder took one touch, turned and fired low into the net, leaving the keeper little chance.

Fleet fans had been crying out for Long to come on for the majority of the second half and he came up trumps when it mattered. Just two minutes later, the Fleet were awarded a free-kick when Cook was bundled over. Long sent over the free-kick and Lorraine, on his 150^th game in Fleet colours, sent the ball into the net. Unfortunately for the centre back the ball struck Mitchell on it's way through and went down as an own goal.

It should have been three a couple of minutes later when Young sliced his clearance. Bricknell raced onto it but his weak left footed effort gave Young time to get into position and save low down to his right.

Hayes pressed with four minutes of added time, but to avail. The Fleet had won again and moved up to third in the Skrill South table. Hayes dropped down a place to seventh.

Both sides are at home in the FA Trophy on Saturday. Hayes host Skrill Premier outfit Barnet looking to cause a shock while Gloucester City travel to Stonebridge Road looking to cause a shock of their own.

Hayes: Young, Furlonge, Everitt, Harriott, Wassmer, Inman, Mitchell, Merrifield, Reid (Mills), Williams (Dennis), Bird (Soares). Subs not used: Jaimez-Ruiz, English.

Fleet: Edwards, Sessegnon, Sankofa, Lorraine, Palmer, Osborn (Corcoran), McMahon (Long), Rance, Cook, May (Bricknell), Thalassitis. Subs not used: Hall, Howe.

Attendance: 139. 

Hayes and Yeading v Ebbsfleet United

Hayes and Yeading United v Ebbsfleet United - Tuesday 26 November, 2013 - Skrill South 

Ebbsfleet United entered the play-offs for the first time this season as they beat high flying Basingstoke Town at Stonebridge Road. The Fleet will look to continue their impressive run on Tuesday evening as they travel to the Kingfield Stadium to face Hayes and Yeading United, a side who are below the Fleet in the Skrill South only on goal difference.

Hayes and Yeading United

Founded – 2007

Ground – Kingfield Stadium (ground share with Woking FC)

Manager – Phil Babb

Captain – Dean Inman

Last season's finish - 17^th

Current position - 6^th

• Hayes and Yeading United were founded in 2007 after a merger between Hayes FC and Yeading FC. The Club played at Hayes' home Church Road.
• Won promotion to the Conference Premier in the 2008/09 season after beating Hampton and Richmond 3-2 in the final. The semi-final featured one of the most remarkable comebacks at this level of Football. United were 4-0 down just after half-time in the first leg against Eastleigh but managed to pull back two vital goals. A 4-0 win in the second leg meant they went through 6-4 on aggregate.
• Reached the FA Cup first round proper for the first time in the 2010/11 season, losing to a last minute goal against Wycombe Wanderers.
• The Club were relegated in their third season in the Conference Premer. A 21^st placed finish meant they would head back to the Conference South where they have been since. United finished a lowly 17^th last season but are looking to finish in the play-offs this time around.
• Have ground shared at the Kingfield Stadium since 2011. A new ground is in the process of being built on the site of the old Yeading ground, but it's not moving very swiftly at the moment!

The Form Guide

Despite their healthy League position, United have lost three of their last five League matches. During this period, the Club have progressed in the FA Trophy by beating Bognor Regis Town. Next up for them is Skrill Premier outfit Barnet.

United's home form isn't the greatest with just two wins coming in their six matches at Kingfield. While the Fleet have drawn six games so far, Hayes and Yeading are the only team in the Skrill South yet to draw a game.

Last five matches

Hayes and Yeading United 1-2 Weston Super-Mare

Hayes and Yeading United 2-1 Bognor Regis Town – FA Trophy

Hayes and Yeading United 3-2 Whitehawk

Staines Town 2-1 Hayes and Yeading United

Weston Super-Mare 0-3 Hayes and Yeading

LWWLW

Goals – 10

Conceded – 7

+3

Last time out

Hayes and Yeading 1-2 Weston Super-Mare

Just a few weeks after beating the Seagulls 3-0 in Somerset, United had a chance to gain their first 'double' of the season, but it wasn't to be as they lost 2-1 at home.

Chas Hemmings snuck in and headed into an empty net half way through the first half to give the visitors the lead.

Neither side really created anything to write home about until the leveller. Kamaron English and Geoff Mitchell combined well, with the latter powering a low header past Lloyd Irish in the visitors' net.

The hosts could have snatched a vital three points but Mitchell failed to connect with the ball and less than a minute later, the visitors had taken the lead. Naby Diallo received a punt forward and fed in Hemmings who made no mistake as he struck past Jamie Young with six minutes remaining.

The win moved the visitors up to 11^th while the hosts dropped out of the play-offs.

Attendance: 120.

One to watch

Jake Reid. The striker has hit six goals so far for United and will be looking to add to that as soon as possible.

Team news

Luke Williams missed Saturdays loss through illness but could be back in contention tomorrow night. Manager Phil Babb should have a near full squad to choose from.

Ebbsfleet United

The Form Guide

After a relatively poor start to the season the Fleet have climbed the table and are now in the play-offs for the first time this season. The boys in red have lost three times this season, with two of them coming on the road at Dover Athletic and Bishop's Stortford.

The Fleet have lost just one of the last seven league matches with one being a draw. The Fleet are going fairly strong in the cup's too as they beat table toppers Bromley 4-1 at Stonebridge Road to progress to the first round of the FA Trophy where they will entertain Gloucester City of the Skrill North. The Fleet lost in an FA Cup replay against rivals Dartford but have progressed to the semi-finals of the Kent Senior Cup after beating Tunbridge Wells 3-1.

Last five matches

Ebbsfleet United 1-0 Basingstoke Town

Tunbridge Wells 1-3 Ebbsfleet United – Kent Senior Cup

Ebbsfleet United 4-1 Bromley – FA Trophy

Ebbsfleet United 4-0 Concord Rangers

Dartford 1-0 Ebbsfleet United – FA Cup

WWWWL

Goals – 12

Conceded – 4

+8

Last time out

Ebbsfleet United 1-0 Basingstoke Town

Michael Thalassitis' second half header gave the Fleet a well deserved three points.

The striker was a handful all game and a bigger margin of victory would not have flattered the Fleet.

Attendance: 953

One to watch

Anthony Cook's pace and trickery as well as his ability to turn a game in a flash has caused problems for plenty of defences at this level and I can't see tomorrow night being any different.

Team news

Shane Huke is the only long-term absentee for the Fleet. The central defender has a broken metatarsal and could be out of action going into the new year. Joe Howe has overcome a recent groin injury and has been on the bench for the last two matches and Grant Basey is back fit.

Preston Edwards and Paul Lorraine should both make their 150^th appearance for the Fleet at Kingfield Stadium tomorrow.

Previous meetings

The two Clubs have met just five times since Hayes FC and Yeading FC merged in 2007. The Fleet lead the head-to-head with three wins. H & Y have beat the Fleet on two occasions.

Hayes and Yeading United 1-2 Ebbsfleet United – Blue Square Bet Premier – 17.01.12

Ebbsfleet United 3-1 Hayes and Yeading United – Blue Square Bet Premier – 26.12.11

Ebbsfleet United 3-1 Hayes and Yeading United – FA Trophy – 11.12.10

Hayes and Yeading United 4-2 Ebbsfleet United – Blue Square Bet Premier – 28.12.09

Ebbsfleet United 1-2 Hayes and Yeading United – Blue Square Bet Premier – 29.08.09

Who's your money with?

Hayes and Yeading are slight favourites with Ladbrokes at 29/20. The Fleet are 3/2. A repeat score from the last time the two sides met (2-1 AWAY win) is 17/2. Both teams to score is 7/10.

Bet Victor also have the hosts favourites at 31/20 with the Fleet at 8/5. A draw for this game sees odds of 5/2. A 1-0 home win sees odds of 10/1.

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

Adults - £12

Concessions - £8

Under 16s - £2

If you're unable to attend the match then follow @FleetAdventures for match chat, updates and reaction.

Up the Fleet.