Ebbsfleet go in search of back-to-back wins at Bishop’s Stortford tonight knowing three points could take them back into the play-off places.
The home side, meanwhile, will be looking to take advantage of the first game of Dave Winfield’s three-match suspension to register a long-awaited point at least on their own turf this season.
Daryl McMahon has made no secret of his preference for a 3-5-2 and with Mark Phillips now back, hopefully for the long term, the Fleet boss could simply slot Reiss Greenidge into the back three formation that performed so well against Wealdstone on Saturday. Greenidge has started two games in that role this season but made way at half-time for tactical reasons against Poole Town and Gosport Borough.
Fleet have just the one win on the road in 2016/17 and will be looking to at least emulate last season’s 2-1 win at the ProKit UK Stadium when Aaron McLean scored a memorable brace, but Stortford fought back to make the second half a tight affair.
Since that February clash, much of the Blues’ side has gone its separate ways (mainly to Chelmsford) and new manager Gordon Boateng has overseen a massive overhaul of personnel in the summer, much of which is already changing as the season takes shape.
Fleet fans will recognise ex-players Dominic Green, Johnny Herd, Scott Shulton (though only Green played at the weekend) while former striker Roy Essandoh is at the club in a coaching capacity. In the door recently have come defender Marvel Ekpiteta and midfielder Lee Sawyer from Chelmsford along with former Charlton player Harry Osbourne who has already turned out against us for Hemel Hempstead this season.
Greek striker Ioannis Varouxakis has come in from Eastbourne to replace departing former Dartford frontman Mikael Suarez though youngster Sam Smith is leading the line with two goals to his name this season.
Stortford lie 19th with two wins and a draw but have only scored one goal at home this season and their most recent outing was a 2-0 defeat by Margate on Saturday. Admission tonight is £13 adults, £8 concessions, £7 students, £6 U16s and U12s are free.
