Further into April we go and following on from last weekend’s unbeaten Easter double header, the Fleet welcome AFC Fylde to the Kuflink Stadium for the penultimate home match of the 2023/24 season. And Danny Searle is keen to see another big turnout by Fleet fans who were more than 2,200-strong against Southend United in the 4,019 crowd on Good Friday.
“Everyone who comes to watch us knows we’re playing for the shirt, playing for the badge and playing for the club because we want to be playing National League football next season. The biggest thing for me is that our supporters who were outstanding last Friday against Southend do that again. Fill that stadium up and make it as noisy as we can.”
Form guide
AFC Fylde sit 14th in the National League, three points above the Fleet – not completely out of the relegation scrap but certainly able to see light at the end of the tunnel. The outing to Oldham Athletic on Good Friday saw the Coasters ease to a 3-1 victory – all the goals coming in the first half. Top scorer Nick Haughton together with Adam Long and Ethan Mitchell found themselves on the scoresheet to add to recent wins over Oxford City and York City. Fylde were bottom of the table over Christmas but have picked up 33 points out of a possible 51 since.
Last time out
The Fleet were at Mill Farm back in October and left with a point after Dominic Poleon opened the scoring with 25 minutes gone. Seeking a first win over the Coasters, the three points fell away when Fylde equalised through Harry Davis just before the hour. Fleet’s task was made harder when Ouss Cissé was shown a controversial red card after acting as peacemaker but Josh Kay went down with minimal contact and the referee reached for his pocket.
New faces at Mill Farm
Three recent arrivals include Bryce Hosannah who found his feet at Wrexham from 2021-24 where he made 31 appearances for the Welsh club. He joined Fylde at the beginning of February. And 23-year-old Adam Long is another new face having played for Doncaster Rovers last season. Long has also played for the likes of Wigan and Notts County. Highly experienced forward Ashley Hunter joined the Coasters on a short-term deal from MK Dons and brings EFL experience with Fleetwood Town and Salford City and the biggest success has been Joe Westley who is in on loan from Burnley.
Previous visits
AFC Fylde have drawn three and won three in six games against the Fleet. They have visited the Kuflink Stadium twice: in 2018 when they won 3-1 and the year before in an exciting 3-3 draw.
The manager
Chris Beech was the club’s director of football since 2022 and took over from promotion-winning boss Adam Murray who was sacked in October. Beech has also managed Carlisle United and was an assistant at Rochdale for a number of seasons. The 49-year-old also had a successful playing career as a midfielder – 147 appearances for Hartlepool along with 97 appearances for Blackpool.
Ticket info
Tickets can be purchased in advance here or at our ticket windows on the day.
Car-parking is available for the special matchday price of £3 at Ebbsfleet International Car Park C.
Supporters are reminded that alcohol will not be permitted to be consumed within view of the pitch and that matches will be segregated as required at the Swanscombe End (or the far end of it). Please cooperate with the instructions of our security team and stewards.
Away supporters
Away fans are allocated a section of the Swanscombe End and a number of priority seats in the Old Stand. Access is via the turnstiles at the Swanscombe End, situated to the left of the main entrance along Stonebridge Road and then up through the car-park.
Away fans have access to refreshments, food and a bar in the Swanscombe End. Our popular Eat Street van will be available for food (hot dogs and burgers) and beverages. Beers on tap include Brewdog, Hofmeister and Iron Pier while our Prosecco bar can be found in the away facility, clearly visible between the standing terrace and seating area. Both non-alcoholic and alcoholic refreshments along with sausage rolls and pasties can also be found in this bar.
Programmes
Programmes can be pre-ordered online with your ticket, or from our online shop here. In the ground, you can purchase in the club shop, just past the main home turnstiles, at the Plough End social club and for away fans in the Old Sponsors Lounge/portakabin bar. Please note, pre-ordered programmes must be collected from the club shop at the main reception entrance BEFORE entering the ground.
