It’s another break from league action this Saturday as the Fleet host Sholing for the first time in the Third Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup, writes Libby O’Connell.
Form guide
The Fleet finished September as the only undefeated team in the National League South after Tuesday night’s first of six rescheduled games ended in a draw against Slough Town.
Despite a quick-paced and dominant first half from Ebbsfleet, the first 45 ended goalless. Josh Wright’s squad, which saw three changes from the previous fixture (Daniel Ogunleye, Camron Gbadebo and TOby Edser coming into the starting XI), created numerous early chances but ultimately struggled to follow through on those attempts. There were strong performances across the field, particularly from Lennon Peake and Ogunleye.
And it was the new boy from Brentwood who continued the Fleet’s efforts into the second half, wasting no time in putting the visitors ahead. A diving header from a quick delivery by Peake saw Ogunleye notch his first goal for the club in the 51st minute. The goal clearly encouraged the squad, as attempts continued to fly in shortly after from the likes of Chapman and his replacement, Josh Passley.
But when Slough capitalised on Fleet’s temporary 10-man disadvantage – much to the visiting bench’s consternation – they punted a drop ball upfield and fired home an equaliser.
Saturday’s opponents Sholing are 16th in the Southern League Premier South, one step below Ebbsfleet in the pyramid. They’ve won three of their last five games, with one of those being a league victory in midweek, where they earned a 2-0 win against Berkhamsted. Before that, they earned FA Trophy progress with a penalties win over Yate Town.
Previously in this FA Cup campaign, Sholing progressed thanks to a 1-0 victory over Tiverton Town, and in the round before that, Andover New Street were sent packing to the tune of 2-0. Saturday’s game will be the tie in this season’s FA Cup where Sholing will face opposition from a higher level in a bid to reach the Fourth Qualifying Round for only the second time in their history. Their previous run to that stage came in 2020/21, eventually ended by Torquay United.
A first meeting
Saturday marks the first meeting between the two clubs, with Sholing – FA Vase winners in 2014 – having previously inhabited the Hampshire and Wessex leagues. They were previously the works team of shipbuilding firm Vosper Thornycroft before changing their name.
Who’s who?
Sam Magri (below) is a name that will ring a bell for many Fleet supporters, and he is a likely starter for Sholing in Saturday’s tie. The defender played at Ebbsfleet from 2017-19, part of the side that reached the National League playoffs and faced Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup in his first season. Since his time at the Fleet, he’s been with Havant & Waterlooville, AFC Totton and Bracknell Town, before landing at Sholing in October last year. He has since become a key figure in the Sholing defence, signing a new two-year deal in May that keeps him at the club until 2028.
Jahiem Dotse is one to watch on Saturday. The 19-year-old loanee from Wycombe scored the winning goal in Sholing’s previous FA Cup game. This was also his first goal for Sholing since joining the club on a deal to the end of this season.
Midfielder Joey Jones is also another name to note. The 32-year-old midfielder came through youth setups such as Arsenal, Leicester and Yeovil, and has spent his playing career at clubs including Woking, Eastleigh, Salford City, Dagenham & Redbridge and Grimsby Town. Most recently, he captained Walton & Hersham to promotion before moving to Sholing in September, where he currently holds a player/coach position.
The manager
Paul Doswell is no stranger to the Fleet, having been Eastleigh, Sutton United and Havant & Waterlooville manager. He arrived at Sholing three years ago and now holds the title of Director of Football within the club. Working with him as team manager is Ross White who stepped up to the role this summer from his previous position as Doswell’s assistant. White is a UEFA A Licence coach and has previously worked with Queens Park Rangers and Aldershot Town’s academy. Prior to joining Sholing, he was the Sutton United U18s manager.
The referee
Lancashire FA official Jordan Crossley is in the middle on Saturday. He refereed three Fleet matches last season – the league visits to Hemel and Maidenhead, plus the home win over Braintree Town in the FA Trophy.
