The Fleet head back on the road this Saturday for the first of two successive away fixtures inside four days – and it’s our former National South title rivals Sutton United up first followed by another South title rival Maidenhead United a few days later.
The Fleet will look to build on the perfect start under new boss Harry Watling which saw a first win of the season against Hartlepool United to keep his side in touch with the clubs above.
Last time out
Sutton have had a mixed start to the season back in the National League (they’ve beaten Altrincham 5-0 but have lost at Boston 3-0) but a convincing victory away from home saw them secure a 3-1 victory at Southend United. It’s three wins, draws and defeats each in 2024/25 for the U’s.
Previous affairs
The most recent match between these two sides was at the Kuflink Stadium in 2020 where the spoils were shared. An early goal from Fleet’s Marvel Ekpiteta was cancelled out by a Harry Beautyman strike in the 50th minute.
The last time the Fleet travelled to Sutton was in October 2019 – an eventful affair saw a penalty deep into added time from Gozie Ugwu secure the much-needed points for the visitors in a 3-2 win. That match was notable for Tyler Cordner’s spell in goal for the last part of the match after Jordan Holmes went off injured, which saw the centre-back keep a clean sheet that set the Fleet on their way to that late winner. Both Louis John and Will Randall played for Sutton that day.
The Fleet’s record at Sutton is four wins, two draws and five defeats.
Who’s who:
Experienced keeper Steve Arnold joined Sutton United in the summer of 2023 from Southend following two seasons with the Shrimpers. Formerly a youth player at Boreham Wood and Arsenal before he joined the Norwich City Academy. Arnold then went onto player for the likes of Eastleigh, Dover, Wycombe and Northampton during his career
Centre back Harry Ransom signed for the U’s this summer following his departure from Crawley Town.. Ransom also spent a number of years at Dover Athletic on loan from Millwall’s Academy. The 24-year-old has featured five times for Sutton this season.
Arriving at Gander Green Lane in June 2023 from Exeter City, Josh Coley has featured 56 times for the U’s. The 26-year-old spent his early career in non-league football in the South Midlands before joining Norwich City in 2018. After a loan spell with Dunfermline Athletic he signed for Maidenhead United in 2020 and a year later made the step up to the EFL with Exeter. He has also been on loan with Harrogate Town.
The manager
Steve Morison played regularly against the Fleet for Bishop’s Stortford and Stevenage before his football pedigree soared in the EFL with Millwall, Norwich City and Leeds United, plus 20 caps for Wales. As a manager he was with Cardiff City in the Championship and then put Hornchurch on the road to promotion before taking over at Sutton earlier this year where, despite some good form at the end of the last campaign, they were relegated back to the National League.
Club connections
Summer signing Louis John spent eight years at Gander Green Lane, featuring more than 200 times for the U’s which saw him involved in the National League championship-winning side that was promoted to the EFL and the Wembley final of the EFL Trophy, alongside fellow new Fleet signing Will Randall.
Ticket info:
Tickets can be purchased in advance here with for further information about the trip to Sutton, please visit here.
Please note that ticket prices will increase.on matchday by £2 at the turnstiles.We have been advised by our hosts that there are still plenty of tickets available but supporters are encouraged to purchase them in advance. We have also since been advised that seating in the main stand has now sold out – if you have any ticketing queries please contact the home club directly.
