As if Saturday-Tuesday hasn’t been challenge enough for Josh Wright’s depleted squad, the Fleet can add a Monday night fixture this week as a visit to Chelmsford City is next up, writes Libby O’Connell.

Form guide

Another three points for the Fleet on Saturday sees top spot maintained thanks to a 10th victory of the season. Despite the lack of numbers available, with only three substitutes named on the bench, Ebbsfleet put in a strong and gritty shift, with plenty of positive moments throughout. 

Following his introduction with half an hour left on his 100th appearance, Dom Samuel thought he had found the opener on 72 minutes. However, it was disappointment for fans and players as his crucial involvement was judged offside.

It was another super-sub moment, this time from Harvey Walker, that put the Fleet ahead, as he also found the back of the net within a few minutes of his introduction.

This evening’s game will likely see the return of two of Saturday’s three suspended players, while the Fleet boss was cautiously optimistic that the injury list might ease.

Chelmsford are 10 points behind the Fleet and 10th in the table. Like their visitors, they’ve only suffered one defeat in the league, losing 2-0 to Farnham at the beginning of the month. Saturday saw victory after coming from behind against Farnborough which is one of five victories in the campaign so far, such is the Clarets’ fondness for a draw.

Last month brought about an improvement in the club’s form, with four of those five victories coming in October. Their current draw tally stands at nine games, following a point gained in a 3-3 result against Tonbridge Angels two weeks ago.

Last time out

The Fleet and the Clarets are no strangers to facing each other, with 97 meetings since 1946. The Fleet have managed 43 wins compared to Chelmsford’s 36. In recent times, the Fleet have also enjoyed victory in the past five meetings, and seven of the last eight, with the most recent fixtures being a pair of 1-0 wins in last season’s clashes, Josh Coley and Dom Samuel scoring in those.

Who’s who?

A new name made the starting line-up on Saturday for Chelmsford, with Cam Green signing on a short-term loan deal. The defender, whose parent club is Solihull Moors, came through the Reading youth setup before playing for clubs such as Wrexham, Watford, Bromley, Welling and Boston United, as well as further loan spells at Braintree and St Albans City during this period.

Saturday also saw the announced return of forward, Jamie Odegah, who joined on loan from League One side Luton Town. Odegah had a loan spell with the Clarets back in January, wasting no time making an impact by scoring the winner on his debut. The 19-year-old came through Luton’s academy and has spent time on loan at clubs including Oxford City and Slough during his career.

Striker Jack Barham has started the season well for the Clarets, scoring three times in his past two appearances, including the winning goal in their recent 2-1 victory against Farnborough. Barham joined Chelmsford in May 2025, after being part of Aldershot’s FA Trophy-winning campaign. Prior to this, he’s spent time at clubs such as Barnet, Bromley, Dorking Wanderers and Dartford, as well as playing a key role in Maidstone United’s promotion-winning side, scoring 18 goals in 27 league appearances.

The manager

It’s Mark Cooper’s first season at Chelmsford, having begun his role in May following the end of the 2025/26 season. Cooper has had a long managerial career, taking charge of 10 clubs and securing three promotions. These include guiding Forest Green Rovers into the Football League for the first time in their history in 2017, beating Tranmere Rovers 3-1 at Wembley in the play-off final.

His most recent managerial spell before taking charge of the Clarets was at Yeovil Town. After joining the club in October 2022, with the side facing relegation, he brought them straight back to the National League during the 2023/24 campaign, finishing 11 points clear of their nearest challengers at the time, Chelmsford.

Other clubs Cooper has managed include Barrow, Notts County, Swindon, Telford, Kettering, Tamworth, Peterborough and Darlington. His playing career saw appearances at many of these clubs, as well as spells at teams such as Exeter, Fulham, Birmingham City and Hartlepool.

The referee

The well-known face of Steven Hughes is in charge tonight, a hugely experienced official at NLS level. He took charge of his first game in this division back in 2018 and his first Fleet fixture was two years later during lockdown, against Hungerford Town. Last season, the Sussex referee was in the middle for our home games against Chelmsford City, Maidenhead United and Slough Town.