After two matches against the top two in the National League, it’s a focus on other other end of the table as an important battle awaits with the visit of Wealdstone to the Kuflink Stadium.
Form guide
The Stones picked up only their second victory of the season on Wednesday night following a 3-2 victory against Braintree Town on home soil. Three early goals in the match saw the visitors go 2-1 up but a quick second-half turnaround secured the three points for Wealdstone. Prior to that win, Wealdstone had failed to pick up three points since the back end of August although they did brush Gosport Borough aside in the FA Cup.
Previous affairs
Last season’s fixture against Wealdstone resulted in three points for the Fleet in the first game of 2024. A first-half goal from Ouss Cissé and second-half penalty from Dom Poleon ensured a 2-0 result.
This will be the 36th meeting of the sides, Fleet having won 16 of them, nine of those at home. Wealdstone’s last win here came in a 3-2 win here on Halloween 2015.
Who’s who
Currently on a two-month loan from Leyton Orient, popular goalkeeper Sam Howes is in his fourth spell with the club. The former England youth international has also played for Hampton, Dorking Wanderers and Horsham.
Jack Cook, skipper in the absence of Adrian Mariappa, is serving his fourth season with Wealdstone and has featured 139 times following his arrival in 2021. Prior to his move to Grosvenor Vale Cook spent a number of seasons with Woking, winning promotion and player of the year, following a short spell with Hampton & Richmond.
Arriving in the summer, Sam Ashford is Wealdstone’s current top goalscorer with four goals – two of those coming on Wednesday night on his return to the side. The highly experienced centre-forward arrived from Cliftonville in Northern Ireland in the summer and he also spent a season in the EFL with Crawley Town.
The manager
Former Shrewsbury Town and Walsall manager Matt Taylor took over in May. He is a former Spurs U18 boss after a long playing career that spanned almost 700 games for the likes of Luton Town, Portsmouth, Bolton and West Ham.
Club connections
Former Fleet loan striker Alex Reid is currently on loan from Oldham Athletic until January. Reid scored his first league goal for Wealdstone on Wednesday against Braintree having struck a hat-trick on his debut in the FA Cup.
Influential midfielder Craig Eastmond who returned from injury last week was part of the Sutton United rise into the EFL alongside Louis John and Will Randall.
Matchday information
Tickets can be purchased here with prices rising at midnight by £1.
Car-parking is available for the special matchday price of £3 at Ebbsfleet International Car Park C. This is cash only and parking is available from 12pm. Please make sure you get a ticket from the steward in attendance and not from the ticketing machines which will not apply the discounted matchday price.
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
Website : visitors’ guide
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 Hofmeister and Iron Pier, 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 through our online club 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.
