Following two match postponements this year, the Fleet will look to finally open 2026 to face National League promotion contenders Forest Green Rovers in the Fourth Round of the Isuzu FA Trophy.
Journey to Round Four
The Fleet started the Isuzu FA trophy campaign a round earlier than Rovers, taking on Sittingbourne in Round Two. A Dom Samuel strike was cancelled out in added time by the visitors which took the tie to a penalty shootout. The Fleet came through in a 5-3 win, converting all five spot kicks with Jonathan Macaulay making the all-important save. The next round saw the Fleet back at the Kuflink Stadium where a dominant display saw Ben Chapman, Lennon Peake and Maxx Manktelow on the scoresheet to cancel out a first half penalty from the visitors.
Forest Green hosted National League South high-flyers Weston-super-Mare to secure a comfortable 4-0 victory – braces from both Kyle McAllister and Jayden Clarke secured the next round spot. That came just before a poor couple of league displays but Rovers came from behind to take three points against FC Halifax Town last weekend.
Previously…
The Fleet earned a gritty 0-0 draw at home against Forest Green in the league last season (above), with the game in Gloucestershire earlier in the campaign seeing Rovers win 3-1. On January 10th 2015, 11 years to the very day of our game this weekend, Fleet needed just the one goal to send higher-division Forest Green out of the FA Trophy (below).
Who’s who
Kyle McAllister is a long-serving midfielder who joined Forest Green in July 2022 following his departure from St Mirren. The 26-year-old has featured over 150 times for Rovers and has found the back of the net 25 times for his side. He is currently the leading goalscorer for the side this season and has just returned after a period on the sidelines.
Tom Knowles is an attacking winger/full back who signed for Rovers in summer 2024 following his departure from Walsall. Since his arrival that summer, the former Dartford, Chelmsford and Yeovil Town player has over 70 appearances for the club with eight goals, four of those coming this season.
The manager
Robbie Savage was appointed in July 2025 after a hugely successful spell as Head Coach of Macclesfield, where he led the club to promotion to the National League North at the first attempt. That campaign saw Macclesfield dominate the Northern Premier League, amassing 109 points and scoring an impressive 109 goals.
Savage enjoyed an illustrious playing career at the highest level after winning the FA Youth Cup with Manchester United, making 346 Premier League appearances for clubs including Leicester City, Birmingham City and Derby County. On the international stage, he earned 39 caps for Wales, cementing his reputation as a respected figure in the game.
Weather
Keep an eye on the Fleet’s socials over the coming day for latest weather updates ahead of Saturday’s match.
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Tickets can be purchased online in advance here. Supporters can also buy on the day at our ticket windows next to the stadium reception/entrance (but not at the turnstiles themselves).
Car-parking is available for the special matchday price of £3 (cash only) at Ebbsfleet International Car Park C. This is cash only and parking is available from 12:30pm. 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.
Tomorrow’s fixture is NOT segregated.
The Rose pub
The Rose Pub (1 Rose Street, DA11 9EQ) is open to home and away supporters. Located close to both the ground and Northfleet and Ebbsfleet stations, it’s an ideal venue for that pre- and post-match drink with food available throughout the day.
Food and drink
Our popular Eat Street van will be available for food (hot dogs and burgers) and beverages. Our Main Stand Kiosk and Geeks Corner Kiosk will be stocked with pies, pasties and sausage rolls along with light snacks, soft drinks plus tea and coffee.
Alcoholic drinks can be purchased in the social bar (located in front of the turnstiles) and the Main Stand Lounge bar. Beers on tap include Fosters, Cruzcampo, Brixton Reliance, Inchs Cider and Moretti.
Our four-pint pitchers can be used in the Main Stand Lounge bar, the Social Club and the area behind it. Please do not bring pitchers into the Main Stand, the Plough End or the Geeks/Swanscombe End terraces.
Programmes
Our Fleet Review programme 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 turnstiles and at the Plough End social club. Please note, pre-ordered programmes must be collected from the club shop at the main reception entrance BEFORE entering the ground.
