EBBSFLEET UNITED FC

POLICY FOR TRIALS

All new players must complete a EUYFC player registration form

All existing players must attend trials to be selected for following season, we do not guarantee any places to any player

All Trials are open and conducted in a fair and honest way

A qualified coach will be present, all adults are CRB checked, and a first aider will be present

Age group manager, coach and Ebbsfleet committee member or coach from an alternate age group will oversee each trial

Players will be given a minimum of 1 week and maximum of 4 weeks at trials

Players will be informed of the outcome of trial verbally or in writing within an acceptable period

Please contact the club to discuss opportunities in U7 – U16′s age group youth@eufc.co.uk  - (Trials are for Boys and Girls Teams) – age specific team details are listed below.

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Ebbsfleet U8 Youth Boys – Open Trials for Season 2012/13.

Please Email youth@eufc.co.uk for further details

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Ebbsfleet U9 Youth Boys – Open Trials for Season 2012/13.

Ebbsfleet under 9′s are looking for new player’s for the forthcoming season. We currently have 2 teams entered in the Selkent League and are looking for player’s in all position to join a very competive league.

Trial dates are:

Saturday 26th May 10am — 12pm

Saturday 2nd June 10am — 12pm

Saturday 9th June 10am — 12pm

Saturday 16th June 10am — 12pm

Venue St George’s School , Meadow Road , Gravesend , Kent .

Please download registration form to fill in .

Registration is between 9.30  – 9.45 .

Please note all player’s to wear shin pads and bring a non fizzy drink , suitable footwear Boots/ trainers etc .

All Coaches are all FA qualified and CRB checked .

If you are intrested in trialing please contact Paul 07930 189929 or email deewill1997@hotmail.co.uk

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Ebbsfleet U10 Youth Boys – Open Trials for Season 2012/13.

Ebbsfleet under 10s are looking for new players for the forthcoming season, we are hoping to have two teams so are looking for players in all positions, both teams will be entered in the SELKENT league.

The dates for the trials are:

Saturday 19th May 10am – 11:30am

Saturday 26th May 10am – 11:30am

Saturday 2nd June 10am – 11:30am

Saturday 9th June. 10am – 11:30am

Venue St George’s School Gravesend.

Please ensure you bring shin pads appropriate footwear and drinks (non-fizzy). If you would like to be part of a fantastic club and book your place in these trials please call Kevin Martin on 07739173691 or email kmartin36@btinternet.com

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Ebbsfleet U11 Youth Boys – Open Trials for Season 2012/13.

We are looking for experienced players to trial for our squad to play in the Selkent A league 11 a side next year, coached by Uefa B and FA level 2 coaches aswell as technical coaching from a Uefa A licenced coach as an optional extra… Very good well established team so not really suitable for beginners, please contact Richard on 07967158239 for more details

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Ebbsfleet U12 Youth Boys – Open Trials for Season 2012/13.

Tuesday 22nd May 6.30 – 8.00pm

Thursday 24th May 6.30 – 8.00pm

Sunday 27th May 10.00am – 12.00 noon

Venue : St. Georges School , Meadow Road, Gravesend DA11 7LS

Please call Ray Tuffield on 07818 456600 for further details and a registration form.

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Ebbsfleet U13 Youth Boys – Open Trials for Season 2012/13.

Ebbsfleet U13’s are looking for new players to trial for the forthcoming season. The team will be competing in the Kent League which is a highly competitive standard.

The team is coached to a very high standard by F.A. qualified coaches from level 2 up to U.E.F.A. A. all coaching sessions are designed to help the development of all the boys. Over the past 3 years we have been able to boast that 3 of our boys have progressed on to Academy’s and are all flourishing at their new clubs.

We are looking for right minded boys who are willing to listen, learn and who have the ambition and attitude to be able to compete in the Kent League.

The dates for the trials are; Saturday 12th May 10am start -12 noon venue St Georges School Gravesend.

Saturday 19th May 10am start – 12 noon venue St Georges School Gravesend.

Sunday 27th may 10am start – 12 noon venue St Georges School Gravesend.

Saturday 2nd June 10am start- 12 noon venue St Georges School Gravesend.

Please bring boots, shin pads, plenty of water and sun cream.

If you are interested in a trial please contact Phil Miles on 07976309192, or E-mail on philipmiles@nwkcollege.ac.uk.

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Ebbsfleet U14 Youth Boys – Open Trials for Season 2012/13.

Ebbsfleet U14’s are looking for new players to trial for the forthcoming season. The team will be competing in the Kent League which is a highly competitive standard.

The team is coached to a very high standard by F.A. qualified coaches.

The dates for the trials are:

Saturday 5th May 10am – 11:30am

Saturday 12th May 10am – 11:30am

Saturday 19th May 10am – 11:30am

Venue St George’s School Gravesend.

Please bring boots, shin pads, and plenty of water.

If you are interested in a trial please contact Dan OSullivan 07754 367292 youth@eufc.co.uk

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Ebbsfleet U15 Youth Boys – Open Trials for Season 2012/13.

Ebbsfleet U15’s are looking for new players to trial for the forthcoming season. The team will be competing in the Kent League which is a highly competitive standard.

The team is coached to a very high standard by F.A. qualified coaches.

The dates for the trials are:

Saturday 26th May 10.30am start

Saturday 2nd June 10.30am start

Saturday 9th June 10.30am start

Venue St George’s School Gravesend.

Please bring boots, shin pads, and plenty of water.

If you are interested in a trial please contact Danny Chapman mel.006@btinternet.com with a mini cv detailing previous footballing history, including  position etc.  Spaces may not be available if you turn up on the day please contact Danny first.

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Ebbsfleet U16 Youth Boys – Open Trials for Season 2012/13.

Dates: Saturday 9^th June 2012 – Saturday 16^th June 2012 – Saturday 23^th June 2012

Venue: Wildernesse School, Seal Hollow road, Sevenoaks, Kent  TN13 3SN

Kick-off: 09:15 AM for 9.30AM Start – Finish Approx 11.30am

Contact: Gary Wallace garywallace@btconnect.com Mobile – 07802 833199

Free parking no other facilities. You will need appropriate clothing footwear, shin pads and plenty of drinks.

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Ebbsfleet U10 Youth Girls – Open Trials for Season 2012/13.

Ebbsfleet U10 Girls team are currently looking for new players in all positions to join and build on an existing team if you are between the age of 8 to 10yrs old and wish to be part of our team please come along to the Trials which start on Tuesday 19th june 2012 from 5:30-7:00pm at Northfleet School for Girls.

Please bring boots, shinpads and a non fizzy drink.

For further information please contact Eddie on 07875344377 or Cheryl on 07758155706

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Ebbsfleet U12 Youth Girls – Open Trials for Season 2012/13.

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Ebbsfleet U13 Youth Girls – Open Trials for Season 2012/13.

Ebbsfleet girls U13s will be having there open trials for girls who want to play competitive football at a good standard.

Our trials begin on Tuesday 12th June 2012 at 5:30pm at Northfleet School for Girls Hall Road Northfleet, and last for three weeks.

All coaches are FA qualified, CRB checked, First aid and child protection certified. If you are interested please come along to the trials if you are interested in joining a very successful team. All players must wear shin pads and appropriate footwear and must bring a drink (non fizzy).

For more details contact Gareth Wood 07730267690 woodg007@hotmail.co.uk

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Ebbsfleet U14 Youth Girls – Open Trials for Season 2012/13.

U15 girls are seeking players for this squad, previous experience in match play not always essential as qualified coaching offered.

Tuesday 12th June – 5.30 – 7.00

Tuesday 19th June – 5.30 – 7.00

Tuesday 26th June – 5.30 – 7.00

All 3 sessions are to be held on outdoor fields at Northfleet School for Girls, Hall Road, Northfleet. Kent.

If you are interested in joining this age group or finding out more about the team/club please contact Matt at ladies@eufc.co.uk

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Ebbsfleet U15 Youth Girls – Open Trials for Season 2012/13.

U15 girls are seeking players for this squad, previous experience in match play not always essential as qualified coaching offered.

Tuesday 12th June – 5.30 – 7.00

Tuesday 19th June – 5.30 – 7.00

Tuesday 26th June – 5.30 – 7.00

All 3 sessions are to be held on outdoor fields at Northfleet School for Girls, Hall Road, Northfleet. Kent.

If you are interested in joining this age group or finding out more about the team/club please contact Emma 07887874386 or ladies@eufc.co.uk

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Ebbsfleet United Youth Presentation Nights 2012

Fleet Leisure, Nelson Road, Northfleet. Kent.

Friday 18^th May 2012 U7’s to U11’s

Friday 25^th May 2012 U12’s to U16’s

Friday 1^st June 2012 Girls teams U10’s to U16’s 

Adult Ticket £5.00 (includes £1 50/50 ticket or Raffle ticket)

U16’s/Players free to enter

Starts 7.00p.m

Player and team trophy presentations

Evening Disco

Liam Daish is set to become Ebbsfleet United’s longest serving manager after agreeing a two-year extension to his contract, the news arriving on the fourth anniversary of his side’s FA Trophy win at Wembley.

Daish joined the Fleet, then Gravesend & Northfleet, in February 2005, in succession to Andy Ford. By signing a new contract with the club, Daish will become the Fleet’s longest serving manager on June 14 – day 2,682 – eclipsing Ford’s previous record tenure in the post.

Ebbsfleet director Jessica McQueen commented: “This is undoubtedly our biggest signing for some time. Liam has proved time and again what a great manager he is and we are delighted that he has committed himself to the club for a further two years.”

“His skill in identifying players to bring in, organising them, motivating them and creating successful teams is without question, but he has proved to be so much more than a football manager to this club. His presence is felt throughout Stonebridge Road and we welcome his experience and expertise in a range of areas.”

“He is not just becoming this club’s longest serving manager but is one of the longest serving managers in all of football. To have his continued involvement gives us the stability to progress.”

Cars are £8, Vans £10 and there is free entry from 9.00am for the public. Trader entry before 9.00am costs £2.

Public parking will be available within the ground and the Fleet’s catering outlets will be open for refreshments. Please download poster here for more information or to publicise.

Ebbsfleet Ladies FC Managers Player – Jen Poole

Ebbsfleet Ladies FC Managers player runner up – Faye Baker

Ebbsfleet Ladies FC Players player – Lisa Fulgence

Ebbsfleet Ladies FC Players player runner up

Ebbsfleet Ladies FC Most Improved player – Laura Perolls

Ebbsfleet Ladies FC Most improved runner up – Izzy Martin

Ebbsfleet Ladies FC Top Goal Scorer – Lisa Fulgence

Ebbsfleet United are offering this fantastic opportunity to play at the home of ‘The Fleet’ and experience the quality of Stonebridge Road in person May Bank Holiday Monday 7th May 2012. This special day will offer an behind the scenes view of Stonebridge Road, with coaching session and matches on the First Team pitch @ Ebbsfleet United FC, Stonebridge Road, Northfleet.Kent. DA119BA.

May Bank Holiday Matchday Experience

Monday 7th May 2012

10.00  – 3.00pm

£20 per person

Open to Boys and Girls 5 – 12years

Your day will be packed full of high energy, quality football fun with professional and safe tuition from our Ebbsfleet Community Coaching team. Players will be coached various football skills and drills and will be play in an afternoon Euro 2012 tournament.

All coaching staff are FA qualified and CRB checked. Also a chance to meet 1^st team players (*subject to availability)

Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment – Download Poster and Booking Form here

Email: community@eufc.co.uk    Information Line: Dee Setters 07930610670

There were celebrations at Stonebridge Road as Roy Hodgson, a former Fleet player, was unveiled as the new England manager at Wembley.

After starting his career with Crystal Palace, Roy dropped into the non league game with Tonbridge Angels in 1966, joining the Fleet, then known as Gravesend & Northfleet, three years later. Signed by manager Alf Ackerman, Roy featured in a squad that also included Tony Sitford, who was later to manager the Fleet, keeper Brian Hughes, Colin Murphy, Alan Crudace, Alan Lillis, Ronnie Hall, Peter Allwright, Tim Souter, Peter Brooks, Johnny Thurgood, and Aiden O’Sullivan.

After making 59 appearances for the Fleet, six as substitute, and scoring one goal in a 2-2 draw at Rugby Town, Roy moved on to brief spells at Maidstone United and Ashford Town before completing his playing career with spells with South African club Berea Park and Carshalton Athletic.

Everybody at Ebbsfleet United would like to wish Roy good luck in his new role and look forward to welcoming him back to Stonebridge Road at some time in the future.

No new date has been agreed for this fixture, and with a number of fixtures unplayed in the Eastern Division it is unclear if the Leagure program will be completed at this stage

Fleet defender Joe Howe cleaned up at the end-of-season presentations, bagging a significant four awards.

The 24-year-old, who clocked up 45 appearances this season in all competitions, scooped Fleet Trust player of the year, the MyFC player of the year, the manager’s player of the year and the players’ player of the year.

It wasn’t all one-way traffic, however, as Craig Stone was the Gravesend Reporter player of the year, Liam Daish won the Bruce Sewell outstanding contribution award, Preston Edwards bagged the manager’s young player of the year prize and Edwards, Stone, Calum Willock and Tom Phipp jointly won the sponsors’ player of the year award.

Fleet signed off the season with a battling defeat as Lincoln City’s first-half performance was enough to give them victory. In squally conditions, the visitors built a commanding lead after Joe Howe inadvertently diverted Jamie Taylor’s shot into his own net. Fleet had brief parity when Liam Bellamy went down under Paul Robson’s challenge and Calum Willock scored his fourth penalty of the season.

But Lincoln stormed back and one-time Fleet loanee Jefferson Louis fired in a shot across goal where Peter Bore sprinted in unmarked to slot home for 2-1. And things got worse for the beleaguered Fleet on 33 minutes when Tom McNeill clawed Taylor’s shot away but the Lincoln striker managed to get a second go at it and hooked it over the line despite two Fleet defenders dashing back to the goalline.

Lincoln threatened to add to the score in a first half where they enjoyed plenty of freedom in the final third. But it was a different story in the second half as Fleet battled and restricted their opponents to a couple of long-range efforts. On 66 minutes Ricky Shakes carved out an opening and crossed low into the box where Bellamy struck home to give his side hope. And Fleet had plenty of opportunities to equalise, Willock twice coming close, but to no avail.

Full report to follow.

TEAM: McNeill, Howe, Herd, Stone, Smith, Barrett (Phipp 83), Bellamy, West (Pinney 83), Shakes, Willock, Enver-Marum. Subs not used: Azeez, Adams, McCarthy.
Att: 1,217

Calum Willock was MotM v Southport. Vote for the last time this season using drop-down menu above.

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Almost exactly five years ago, a Southport side facing relegation put an enormous dent in the Fleet’s play-off hopes with a 4-0 win at Stonebridge Road. Fast forward to the present day and Fleet produced a stunning comeback to end Southport’s own play-off dreams as two goals in the final minute of normal time meant the visitors escaped with a remarkable point.

Once again stretched to the limit, with no back-up goalkeeper and only four named substitutes (one of those again being Paul McCarthy), Liam Daish’s side showed spirit, guts and fight all afternoon.

Eager to keep up with the sides above them in the table, Southport made a good start with Simon Grand and Chris Lever heading wide while Tom McNeil pushed away a shot as Andy Owens looked ready to pounce. But the Fleet, who up until the quarter-hour mark had only a Liam Enver-Marum shot to show for their efforts, stunned the home crowd when McNeil’s clearance was helped on by Calum Willock to Ricky Shakes who, beating the offside trap, went on to fire a shot past goalkeeper Tony McMillan.

That lead lasted barely a minute when the dangerous Shaun Whalley floated a ball across to Owens and he found space to stab a shot past McNeil with Fleet’s defence slow to react. And the home side upped the pressure, taking the lead on 22 minutes when a ball into the box bamboozled the Fleet defence and James Ellison was able to nod it home at the far post.

The lively Enver-Marum and Willock had a couple of half-chances for the Fleet and Michael West headed at the goalkeeper before McNeil denied Owens for a second time at the other end as both sides sensed chances were there for the taking.

Fleet were forced into a change only six minutes into the second half, with Tom Phipp replacing West, while McNeil denied Southport with the only two chances of note in the first 10 minutes of the restart. But on the hour mark, Southport won their fourth penalty of the season against the Fleet as Whalley raced into the box and was brought down by Liam Bellamy. Tony Gray scored the resulting spot kick as the home side celebrated what appeared to be an unassailable 3-1 lead.

Unsurprisingly the game went a little flat after that as Southport were content to play the ball around midfield while Fleet looked temporarily deflated. That was until the 89th minute when Shakes crossed for Enver-Marum to head past McMillan. There seemed little time to upset the home side any further but with their very next attack, Fleet drew level. Johnny Herd played in Willock and the Fleet top scorer rounded Southport’s Grand and fired home the equaliser.

Even after that the home side, woken from their slumber, could have regained the lead when Gray got through on goal but fired wide. Fleet may have felt some justification for the late rally after their opponents’ late win at Stonebridge Road earlier this year – but they’ll be even more pleased with the never-say-die attitude here that produced the goods under such trying circumstances.

TEAM: McNeil, Howe, Herd, Stone, Smith, Barrett, Bellamy, West (Phipp 52), Shakes, Willock, Enver-Marum. Subs not used: Azeez, Adams, McCarthy
Att: 1,231

Vote for man of the match using drop-down menu above. Tom McNeil was winner v Luton.

Ebbsfleet United manager Liam Daish has been shortlisted for honours in the National Game Awards.

Daish, due to become the longest serving manager in the Fleet’s history, is up for the Sharethematch.com Manager of the Year for his astute management of a small playing squad on one of the smaller budgets in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

Along with Daish, the other nominations are Liam Watson (Southport), Micky Mellon (Fleetwood Town), Andy Morrell (Wrexham), Gary Lowe (Hyde) and Garry Hill (Woking).

Fleet fans are encouraged to cast their vote, and this year it is easier than ever for you to play your part.

- Tweet at @NonLeaguePaper with your nomination, the award and hashtag #NGA

- Post on the Non League Paper facebook page at www.facebook.com/NonLeaguePaper

- E-mail your choice to NGAvotes@hotmail.co.uk

- Post your nomination to NGA Votes, The Non-League Paper, Tuition House, St George’s Road, Wimbledon, SW19 4EU

Those who come out on top of the readers’ poll will be honoured at a glittering award lunch at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday May 23rd.

Update: Voting is now closed, but follow the Fleet on Twitter at @EUFCofficial for details of the winners

Fleet goalkeeper Tom McNeil (pictured) made his full debut in front of the biggest crowd his side have faced this season but couldn’t prevent an injury- and suspension-hit side from defeat at play-off chasers Luton Town.

Robbed of Paul Lorraine’s services due to the skipper’s red card, Liam Daish was also missing the services of the injured Tom Phipp, Nathaniel Pinney and Lance Cronin. Having been denied permission to sign an emergency replacement, McNeil got the nod in goal, Johnny Herd in defence while Ricky Shakes and Ram Marwa lined up in a midfield five that saw Calum Willock dropped to the bench. And given his personnel problems, the Fleet boss could name only four substitutes, three of them including retired assistant manager Paul McCarthy, trialist Ben Adams and rookie youngster Lanre Azeez.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Ram Marwa was stretchered off after only 14 minutes of the game, giving Azeez a rare opportunity. Up to that moment Fleet had fired a couple of set pieces wide while Luton had carved open the visiting defence on 10 minutes when Jake Howells burst down the flanks and crossed for Andre Gray to flash a header goalwards but McNeil did very well to divert it over the bar.

The Hatters grew in confidence and kept coming forward, and had a goal chalked off for offside on 17 minutes when Alex Lawless was first to a loose ball after McNeil had parried Gray’s shot. It was certainly a baptism of fire for McNeil and he was in action again straight away as Stuart Fleetwood supplied the irrepressible Gray and he saw his shot once more tipped over by the Fleet goalkeeper.

Gray’s pace kept Joe Howe busy down the flanks and he was the architect for Curtis Osano’s effort that McNeil blocked. But Fleet gradually weathered the worst of the storm and Liam Enver-Marum flashed an effort across goal that goalkeeper Mark Tyler managed to push away while Shakes did the same on 29 minutes but with less accuracy. Seconds after that, Enver-Marum was troubling Tyler and the Luton defence again, this time with a fine run and effort that was pushed into the side netting.

Luton grew visibly frustrated though had a great chance on 40 minutes when Fleetwood lifted the ball over McNeil but Ross Smith raced back to clear, though saw yellow for an earlier tug on the Hatters striker. Howells fired over the bar after good work from McNeil in saving an initial shot and Fleetwood again couldn’t find the back of the net when well-placed. But the former Forest Green hotshot was not to be denied deep into first-half injury time as Luton poured forward with chance after chance in a breathtaking four-minute spell. Unfortunately for the Fleet the home side made their last one count, when Lawless’ ball into Gray fell kindly for Fleetwood and he lashed it past McNeil.

That was sucker punch enough, but Luton delivered another straight after the break – that period of play being a familiar Achilles’ heel for the Fleet this season. Gray again tormented the Fleet defence and his shot was well kept out by McNeil but Fleetwood was on hand to snatch his second goal of the evening.

Demoralised Fleet struggled to gain much momentum as Luton played a controlled game while still feeding Gray and Robbie Willmott with chances. Willock came on for Azeez just after the hour mark which added some steel to the Fleet game but the visitors still had their backs to the wall, with McNeil saving well from Janos Kovacs and Herd headed Fleetwood’s effort from distance off the line. Gray then missed a golden chance for 3-0 as he fired over from the six-yard line.

Shakes had the Fleet’s one effort of note five minutes from time but was thwarted after good work by George Pilkington and Luton had the last laugh with virtually the last kick of the game when substitute Craig McAllister pounced on a mix-up between Smith and McNeil to end his former club’s misery.

It was unfortunate on the Fleet and McNeil in particular, though Luton clearly made the most of their opponents’ selection woes and never really doubted their ability to fashion a convincing three points from this one.

TEAM: McNeil, Howe, Herd, Stone, Smith, Marwa (Azeez 14, Willock 63), Barrett, Bellamy, Shakes, West, Enver-Marum. Subs not used: Adams, McCarthy.
Att: 5,526

Ross Smith won man of the match v Telford. Vote tonight’s man using drop-down menu above.

Fleet held on for a creditable victory against AFC Telford United this afternoon despite playing 73 minutes of the game with only 10 men. Paul Lorraine’s dismissal, for what appeared to be an elbow raised if not actually swung against Kyle Perry, failed to trouble the Fleet for 50 minutes of the game and they raced into a 3-0 lead.

Michael West converted a well-placed low free-kick on 27 minutes before Liam Enver-Marum’s excellent solo run saw him tuck away the Fleet’s second on the stroke of half-time. Telford came out stronger in the second-half but Enver-Marum looked to have put the game beyond reach after firing home West’s pass on 62 minutes.

But Adam Proudlock got between Ross Smith and Lance Cronin four minutes later to give Telford a lifeline, one that looked more worrying for the home side on 74 minutes when Ryan Brooke was given space to turn and slot home a second. West had two chances to give the Fleet more breathing space but twice pulled shots wide of the left-hand post and despite plenty of Telford possession and an injured Cronin who struggled to kick the ball, the 10 men held on for victory.

TEAM: Cronin, Stone, Howe, Smith, Lorraine, Barrett (Shakes 77), Phipp (Herd 46), Bellamy, West, Willock (Marwa 57), Enver-Marum. Subs not used: McNeil, Azeez
Att: 875

Craig Stone won man of the match v Braintree. Vote now for Telford match using drop-down menu above.

It will remain open until late due to the presentation evening. Fans attending can take advantage of a free buffet, live music from Contraband and, of course, a clutch of player awards presentations.

A schedule of events has been drawn up as follows:

• 11.30 – Turnstiles and bar open
• 13.00 – Ebbsfeet United v Lincoln City
• 15.00 – Gates open for those who do not attend match
• 15.45 – Players and supporters mingle in the Bar
• 16.30 – Fleet Trust & MyFC Player Awards
• 17.15 – Ebbsfleet United Player Awards
• 18.00 – Free Buffet
• 18.30 – Live Music – CONTRABAND

The youngster has impressed in his month at Stonebridge Road, having played seven times for the Fleet, and will now see out the 2011-12 season having helped steer the club to safety four games early.

Fleet stopped the rot, achieved their only draw of 2012 so far and – more importantly – gained the point that finally assures Blue Square Premier football next season.

In wet conditions, and on a bumpy pitch, Liam Daish opted to start Tom Phipp and Liam Bellamy in place of Ricky Shakes and Neil Barrett against a large, physical Braintree side who had enjoyed a confidence-boosting victory over Luton two days earlier. And the home side started well when Craig Stone’s lofted pass beat the Braintree back line and Calum Willock sprinted clear but he delayed his shot for far too long, allowing goalkeeper Nathan McDonald to block.

But Braintree’s heavyweight front pairing of Ben Wright and Sean Marks were giving Fleet’s central defenders a fair bit of bother and it was left to Stone on two or three occasions to mop up as the visitors combined close control in midfield with power up front. Twice Lance Cronin was called into action, first to deny Matt Paine’s header on 18 minutes and then, more crucially, to divert Wright’s drive over the bar after Paul Lorraine failed to clear his lines.

Fleet came back and after Michael West spread play wide to Liam Enver-Marum, a delivery for Willock was headed just over the crossbar. But the Fleet No.9 wasn’t to be denied for long. On the half-hour mark he tried to get a shot away under pressure and was bundled to the ground by Paine. Up he stepped and after an inventive shimmy, Willock tucked away the penalty for his first Fleet goal since January.

The lead lasted only four minutes, however, as Braintree were first denied a rather optimistic shout for a penalty and then immediately awarded a dubious one when Marks collapsed under the faintest of contact from Smith. Wright’s drive into the net gave Cronin no chance and it was 1-1.

Fleet closed out the half when Ram Marwa fired off a shot from West’s set piece, but McDonald was equal to it and the sides went in at the break all square.

That situation didn’t change in a goalless second half that Fleet edged as they snuffed out the threat of Wright and Marks and so enjoyed more possession and chances in what was a largely dormant 45 minutes. Johnny Herd replaced a limping Joe Howe on 56 minutes and Ricky Shakes and Nathaniel Pinney later saw action, Shakes unfortunate to see the ball bobble awkwardly as he shaped to shoot from 10 yards, while Pinney broke clear of the Iron defence but showed too much of the ball to Paine who hacked clear.

At the other end, Billy Gibson just cleared the crossbar with an effort but it was as close as Braintree came. Fleet, with Marwa, Bellamy, West and Enver-Marum doing plenty of running, ably supported by man-of-the-match Stone from the back, kept pressing and really should have had a penalty when Willock was tugged to the ground by Paine in an incident that seemed more deserving of the whistle than the Marks-Smith tussle of the first half. Twice, also, the referee frustrated players and fans when he pulled play back for fouls, the second time with Pinney in a good position inside the box.

Fleet had two final chances, first when Smith was inches away from a ball to the far post and then with time ticking away, Enver-Marum’s free-kick forced McDonald into a low save.

But Daish’s side will just feel glad to have finally reached the 50-point mark and achieved safety four games early as fans look forward to a strange feeling of relaxtion as April progresses.

TEAM: Cronin, Stone, Howe (Herd 56), Lorraine, Smith, Marwa, Bellamy, Phipp (Shakes 71), West, Enver-Marum, Willock (Pinney 80). Subs not used: McNeil, Barrett.
Att: 938

Paul Lorraine won man of the match v FGR. Vote now for today using drop-down menu above.

The meeting will be held in the club bar, which opens at 7pm for a prompt 7.30 start.

Attendees must be Fleet Trust members – but you can sign up on the night from £10 for membership.

Fleet suffered a third successive defeat as they surrendered a half-time lead against a clinical Forest Green side who still harbour outside hopes of a play-off spot. Liam Daish made one change to his line-up, Calum Willock replacing Nathaniel Pinney for the Fleet top scorer’s first start for a month.

The home side, on a rich run of form, started brightly and Liam Henderson sent two efforts over the bar while Eddie Oshodi wasn’t far away from a 10th minute free-kick. But from a slow start, the Fleet got a toehold in the game and played some decent football along the ground. And the visitors went close on 17 minutes when good approach work from Ricky Shakes and Liam Enver-Marum saw a ball played out to Joe Howe on the edge of the box. The Fleet defender took a hefty swipe at it and smacked a fine shot off the crossbar with the goalkeeper a spectator.

With their tails up, the Fleet went at the home side with Willock’s strength and Enver-Marum’s mobility in particular getting the better of the Rovers defenders. And on 20 minutes they got their reward. From the second of Michael West’s two corners, Paul Lorraine powered through to plant a firm header past Sam Russell.

Neil Barrett had two shots on goal as Fleet went in search of a second, which should have come their way on the half-hour mark as Willock outmuscled two defenders to bear down on goal. Under intense pressure, the Fleet striker stayed on his feet but delayed his shot and Russell made a good save.

Ten minutes after that, Shakes made a good run down the right and as the home defence stood off him, he fired a shot low across goal but there were no supporting players to guide it home. At the other end, Forest Green’s best chance came from a Michael Uwezu effort which, like Howe’s 20 minutes earlier, bounced back off the crossbar and the rebound was wasted.

It was a decent first-half display that encouraged the travelling fans at the break but it was a familiar story as Fleet’s vulnerable period in the first few minutes after the restart was exploited by the home side. Rovers pinged the ball forward and played it across the Fleet box where the influential Kieron Forbes let fly with a shot that Lance Cronin could only stand and admire as it flew past him into the top corner.

And Forbes was instrumental in his side’s second on 62 minutes as he got the better of a host of Fleet bodies around him and though his ball into the box fell rather fortuitously for Matty Taylor, the striker made no mistake as he coolly fired past Cronin.

Fleet just weren’t at the races and though Willock had two decent chances for an equaliser, never really looked like clawing their way back into the game. Daish threw on three substitutes in quick succession and West twice fired wide. The visitors stepped things up in the final five minutes as first Willock and then Tom Phipp troubled the Rovers defence but as the Fleet applied pressure, Rovers delivered the coup de grace.

Substitute Reece Styche cleared a West corner upfield in time added on and Jake Thomson found Chris Stokes who squared the ball for the onrushing Styche in plenty of space and he finished well past Cronin to add gloss to a scoreline that may have slightly flattered the home side.

Fleet now need to pick themselves up inside 72 hours and reverse a run of form they haven’t experienced since the relegation season of 2009-10.

TEAM: Cronin, Stone, Howe, Lorraine, Smith, Barrett (Phipp 79), Marwa (Bellamy 79), West, Shakes (Pinney 71), Enver-Marum, Willock. Subs not used: McNeil, Herd.
Att: 1,058

Lance Cronin won man of the match v Mansfield. Vote for FGR using drop-down menu above.