Even though the Fleet are taking a break from league action this Saturday, it won’t much feel like it – writes Libby O’Connell. Facing fellow National League South side Maidenhead United, it’s off to the familiar surroundings of York Road in the Second Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup. 

Form Guide

Ebbsfleet are making steady progress into the season at last and remain undefeated in the three games so far after picking up a draw against Salisbury last Saturday. The game was another strong possession-based performance from Josh Wright’s squad, with dominance in attack, yet Salisbury capitalised on a quick break and pinpoint cross at the end of the first-half to put themselves ahead. 

The Fleet remained determined, particularly after the frustration of Dom Samuel’s quick response being flagged offside. It wasn’t until the late introduction of Finlay Barnes that a well-deserved 85th minute equaliser came about. A flurry of attempts from the team either side of that goal, with late efforts from Nelson, Oteh and Box, just wasn’t enough to force the three points.

Maidenhead are just five points ahead of the Fleet, despite their six-game headstart, sitting 17th in the league table. Their past five games have seen just one victory, as well as two draws, and two defeats. 

Their most recent fixture, a 2-2 draw with Billericay Town, was definitely seen as a positive by the Magpies after suffering a crushing 4-0 loss to Torquay just days before. Their goal difference didn’t take too much of a hit, however, after they secured a 3-0 victory against Dover in their previous game.

With a player sent off in that game against Dover, the Magpies will need to focus on improving that a disciplinary record that has already seen four players red-carded since the start of the season, with two coming in their home defeat to Torquay. That has placed some pressure on their squad ahead of a cup tie in which both sides might ring a few changes. 

This is only the second time the clubs have met in a cup tie, the first being at this same stage of the competition more than 50 years ago. It was the first ever meeting of the two sides, Maidenhead winning 3-2 in October 1973.

Last Time Out

The Fleet enjoyed the upper hand last season, scoring three in both home and away meetings with Maidenhead. The late January game on home soil saw the Fleet run wild with a 3-0 victory while the away fixture in March was an eventful one. Again, the Fleet enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 lead but had a wobbly conclusion as Maidenhead scored twice in the final five minutes but ultimately, the Magpies’ efforts were too little too late. 

Who’s Who

Friendly fire is expected to light up Saturday’s game as Fleet fans will likely see some old faces at York Road, even if some of them won’t be playing. 

Josh Coley (pictured above) returned to Maidenhead this summer, departing the Fleet after one season. Since rejoining, he’s made seven appearances and provided two assists; however, he has an ongoing suspension to serve following a straight red card against AFC Totton.

A sight of former Fleet midfielder Christian N’Guessan is much more likely. Another of Maidenhead’s summer signings, he spent two seasons at Ebbsfleet, one of which being the 2022/23 National League South title-winning season. He moved on to play for Sutton United and Dagenham and Redbridge.

Striker Josh Umerah also spent time at Stonebridge Road in the 2019/20 season and indeed scored in a visit to York Road just before lockdown. In his first season at Maidenhead during the last campaign, he was top scorer.

The Manager

Long-time associate of the club (and a former Fleet loanee who played just one game for us), Ryan Peters is the first-team manager. After spending more than 12 years with the club, following time as a player, assistant manager, and interim manger during last National League South season, he signed a two-year contract with the club back in May, taking over after more than a decade of Alan Devonshire’s reign.

During his time as Interim Manager last season, Peters brought success to the club, picking up 50 points from 27 games and landing Maidenhead a spot in the play-offs on goal difference, just ahead of the Fleet.

The Referee

Tommy Breen is the man in the middle. The Essex referee took charge of the Fleet three times last season – the visits to Maidstone and Hornchurch, as well as the 2-2 home draw against Eastbourne. He was promoted to NLS level in January 2024.