Ebbsfleet United will look to record
another win in their fight for the play-offs when they entertain
fellow play-off chasers Bishop's Stortford on Saturday afternoon.
Stortford are just three points behind the Stonebridge Road outfit in
fifth with three games in hand.
Bishop's Stortford FC
Founded – 1874
Ground – Woodside
Park
Nickname – The
Blues
Manager – Rod
Stringer
Last season's finish - 17th
(Conference North)
Current position - 5th
THE SQUAD
Goalkeepers –
Joe Wright, Sam Cowler
Defenders –
Sean Francis, Callum
McNaughton, George Allen, Johnny Herd, Ashley Miller
Midfielders –
Reece Prestedge, Anthony
Church, Matt Johnson, Luke Milbourne, Harry Baker, Jack Hall, Nicky
Symons (Dual Reg with East Thurrock United)
Attackers –
Cliff Akurang, Liam
Enver-Marum, Kyle Asante, Josh Fagbohum, Brian Woodall
Since facing the Fleet way back on October 22, the Blues have played
eight league matches winning just three of these. With games in hand
on the teams around them, Stortford could be well into the play-offs
soon enough.
LAST FIVE MATCHES
Royston Town 0-1 Bishop's Stortford – Herts Charity Cup
Dover Athletic 2-3 Bishop's Stortford
Bishop's Stortford 1-3 Boreham Wood
Chelmsford City 2-1 Bishop's Stortford
Bishop's Stortford 5-3 Basingstoke Town
For: 11
Against: 10
LAST TIME OUT
Dover Athletic 2-3 Bishop's Stortford – 04.01.14
A magnificent second half comeback saw Stortford take advantage of
other Skrill South matches being postponed. This 3-2 victory at
Crabble saw the Blues climb to 4th in the table.
Former Fleet midfielder Liam Bellamy and Tom Murphy put the hosts two
goals up at half time. The Whites would have been three goals to the
good shortly after the break but for a terrific save from Sam Cowler
in the Blues' goal. Stortford took full advantage and goals from full
back Ashley Miller and veteran Cliff Akurang brought the visitors
level. Former Dover loanee Brian Woodall then completed the comeback
six minutes from time to give the Blues a precious three points.
Attendance: 615
Stortford: Sam Cowler, Harry Baker (Jack Hall), Ashley Miller (Callum
McNaughton), George Allen, Sean Francis, Cliff Akurang, Matt Johnson,
Anthony Church, Brian Woodall, Liam Enver-Marum (Fagbohun),
Prestedge. Subs not used: Nicky Symons, Andre Costa
ONE TO WATCH
Reece Prestedge. The influential midfielder, in his third spell with
the Hertfordshire Club, has the ability to turn a game in a flash.
Reece received the Manager's Player of the Year award last season as
well as the Supporter's Player of the Year. Having played nearly 200
games for the Blues, the passionate midfielder has scored over 30
goals.
Manager Rod
Stringer should have a near full squad to choose from.
Ebbsfleet
United
THE SQUAD
Goalkeepers –
Preston Edwards, Brandon Hall
Defenders –
Osei Sankofa, Chris Sessegnon,
Joe Howe, Aiden Palmer, Paul Lorraine, Shane Huke
Midfielders –
Michael West, Anthony Cook,
Daryl McMahon, Dean Rance, Michael Corcoran, Tom Phipp, Stacy Long
(on loan at Eastbourne Borough), Dominic Green (on loan at Tonbridge
Angels)
Attackers –
Ben May, Billy Bricknell, Alex
Osborn (on loan from Dagenham and Redbridge), Michael Thalassitis (on
loan from Stevenage)
LAST FIVE MATCHES
Farnborough 0-1 Ebbsfleet United
Havant and Waterlooville 1-0 Ebbsfleet United – FA Trophy
Ebbsfleet United 1-3 Bromley
Ebbsfleet United 0-2 Dover Athletic
Bromley 0-0 Ebbsfleet United
For: 2
Conceded: 6
LAST TIME OUT
Farnborough 0-1 Ebbsfleet United – 14.01.14
Billy Bricknell's 9th league goal of the season was enough
to give the Fleet a vital three points in their fight for the
play-offs.
In a pitch not too dissimilar from that at Havant the previous
Saturday, the game looked to be heading the same way until
Bricknell's 69th minute strike from the edge of the area.
Attendance: 219
Fleet: Edwards, Sessegnon (Howe), Lorraine, Sankofa, Palmer, West
(Osborn), McMahon, Rance, Cook, May, Bricknell (Corcoran).
ONE TO WATCH
Billy Bricknell. The striker is well on his way to a respectable
total of goals for the season and on his day, is unplayable at this
level. Having scored in his last two league matches, he'll be looking
to add to his tally here as the Fleet look to pull away from
Stortford a bit.
TEAM NEWS
Dean Rance starts the first of his two game suspension for ten yellow
cards. Chris Sessegnon limped off at the Rushmoor Stadium on Tuesday
and although he's stated it is not as bad as first thought, it is
unknown whether he will be available for selection.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
The two Clubs have met 12 times competitively with the Fleet leading
the head-to-head with 5 wins to Stortford's 4. The first meeting
between the Clubs came back in December of 1988, a 3-3 draw in the FA
Trophy. The Fleet won the replay 2-1.
The most recent meeting between the sides came back in October with
Stortford running out 3-2 winners, a scoreline that flattered the
Fleet. The Blues were in control of the game and should have been 4
or 5 up before the Fleet's two goals in stoppage time.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
Bishop's Stortford 3-2 Ebbsfleet United – Skrill South – 22.10.13
Ebbsfleet United 0-0 Bishop's Stortford – Blue Square Bet South –
26.03.11
Bishop's Stortford 0-3 Ebbsfleet United – Blue Square Bet South –
21.08.10
Gravesend and Northfleet 2-3 Bishop's Stortford – FA Trophy replay
– 15.03.05
Bishop's Stortford 1-1 Gravesend and Northfleet – FA Trophy –
12.03.05
ODDS
Ebbsfleet 21/20 (favourites)
Draw 12/5
Stortford 21/10
If you're able to attend the match then admission prices are as
follows:
Adults £10
Concessions
£8
Under 16s £5
Under 12s
FREE
If you're unable to make the game then follow @BSFCatthegame or
@EUFCOfficial for match updates.
COME ON YOU REDS!