Ebbsfleet United v Bishop's Stortford

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 - 17^th (Conference North)

Current position - 5^th

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 4^th 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 9^th 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 69^th 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!