Farnborough v Ebbsfleet United

Ebbsfleet United face another trip to Hampshire this week as they take on Farnborough FC looking to end a run of three straight defeats. The Fleet are in the play-offs, just, on goal difference. Bishop's Stortford (Saturday's opponents) and Staines Town are level on points. Farnborough can move up one place to 15^th if they win.

Farnborough FC

Founded – 2007 (reformed after Farnborough Town FC went into liquidation)

Nickname – The Boro

Ground – Rushmoor Stadium (renamed Paddy Power Park due to a sponsorship with Paddy Power)

Manager – Spencer Day

Last season's finish - 13^th

Current position - 16^th

THE SQUAD

Goalkeepers – Kevin Scriven, Matt Lovett, Dan Lincoln, Sam Johnson-Freeman, Ryan Hope

Defenders – Josh Huggins, Ollie Treacher, Alan Inns, Adam Doyle, Alfred Bosch, Nathan Koo-Boothe, Djibril Fofana, Courtney Fearn, Jesse Bowers

Midfielders – Steve Laidler, Merrick James-Lewis, Richard Monan, Bakari Sinclair-Smith, Jack Jeffrey

Attackers – Moses Ashikodi, Phil Page, Dan Bennett, Elvis Hammond, Tyrone Berry, Andrew Mensah

LAST FIVE MATCHES

Farnborough 1-2 Staines Town

Farnborough 2-2 Havant and Waterlooville

Basingstoke Town 4-0 Farnborough

Farnborough 4-0 Bemerton Heath Harlequins – Russell Cotes Cup

Aldershot Town 1-1 Farnborough (Boro won 5-4 on pens) – Hampshire Senior Cup

ONE TO WATCH

Tyrone Berry. The much travelled striker will be looking to inflict more pain on the Fleet who have conceded six goals in the last three games. The defence have looked a little shaky at times recently.

TEAM NEWS

Midfielder Steve Laidler will be missing as he serves the second of a two-game suspension while Adam Doyle returns from a three game suspension. Goalkeeper Kevin Scriven is a doubt. Scott Donnelly recently left the Club after receiving a better offer (financially) elsewhere. Defender Alfred Bosch looks to continue easing his way back in after he re-signed for Farnborough at the start of the month after failing to find employment in Spain. Former Fleet striker Moses Ashikodi is in contention to play against his former Club after signing for the Boro in December.

Ebbsfleet United

THE SQUAD

Goalkeepers – Preston Edwards, Brandon Hall

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

Midfielders – Michael West, Stacy Long, Tom Phipp, Giannoulis Fakinos, Dean Rance, Daryl McMahon, Anthony Cook, Dominic Green

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

LAST FIVE MATCHES

Havant and Waterlooville 1-0 Ebbsfleet United

Ebbsfleet United 1-3 Bromley

Ebbsfleet United 0-2 Dover Athletic

Bromley 0-0 Ebbsfleet United

Ebbsfleet United 2-0 Sutton United

ONE TO WATCH

Michael West. If he plays, the midfielder will be looking to get back to the form the Fleet fans saw in him last time the Club was at this level. The youngster has a good record against Farnborough scoring three goals and making one assist in his three games against the Hampshire outfit.

TEAM NEWS

Other than long-term casualty, Shane Huke, manager Steve Brown should have a near full squad to choose from.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Gravesend and Northfleet met Farnborough Town a handful of times before the Boro went into liquidation in 2007. Since reforming as Farnborough FC, Ebbsfleet United have played them just three times, winning two and losing one.

Farnborough 2-4 Ebbsfleet United – Blue Square Bet South play-off final – 15.05.11

Ebbsfleet United 0-3 Farnborough – Blue Square Bet South – 05.02.11

Farnborough 1-2 Ebbsfleet United – Blue Square Bet South – 18.08.10

The Fleet's meetings with Farnborough have been eventful to say the least. Michael West's 90^th minute strike from the edge of the area ensured the Fleet took three points back to Kent in their first meeting.

Preston Edwards became the fastest goalkeeper to be sent off (10 seconds) when he brought down Bradley Bubb after Ryan Blake sold him short with a backpass. Midfielder Tom Phipp went in goal as the Fleet lost 3-0.

The final segment in the 2010/11 season came on a beautiful day in May. Some 2,000+ Fleet fans had travelled to Farnborough's Rushmoor Stadium and a devastating performance in front of goal saw the Fleet promoted back to the Premier Division at the first attempt with a 4-2 victory. Michael West was first on the scoresheet as Craig Stone's long throw into the box caused panic in the box. Former Fleet defender James Smith's header stood up for 'Westy' to acrobatically hit home. The young midfielder turned provider in the second half as his defence-splitting pass allowed Ricky Shakes to lob Michael Jordan in the Boro net. Good work between Joe Howe and Tom Phipp allowed Westy to head home and seal the Fleet's promotion. Nervous moments came at the end of the game as Farnborough scored two goals in two minutes but Calum Willock killed the game off in the last minute of the match, sparking wild scenes in the stands.

Farnborough's side that day featured Daryl McMahon and Osei Sankofa who, of course, are now regular starters for the Fleet.

ODDS

Farnborough – 13/5

Draw – 5/2

Fleet – 17/20 (favourites)

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

Adults - £12

Concessions - £8

Under 16s – FREE

If you're unable to attend the match then follow @FarnboroughFC or @FleetAdventures for match updates.

COME ON YOU REDS!