If it’s excitement and goals you’re after this weekend, the Fleet-Hungerford fixture has traditionally served up both. The clubs’ first ever meeting produced seven goals (six of them going Fleet’s way) and the last meeting at Bulpit Lane threw up the same number. Moreover, the corresponding fixture at the Kuflink Stadium last season saw five goals as Fleet edged that one as well.
“Maidstone and Dartford got their wins [last week] so we need to make sure we do that as well,” said Dennis Kutrieb. “If someone else is struggling we need to be there, simple as that, and that’s all we can do. We need to take momentum into the end of the season in the games we have left.
“Hungerford come here with more confidence – they’ve struggled a little recently but they had a win last week. It’s a completely different game from last week but I’m happy we have another home game so quickly.”
Fleet withdrew Shaq Coulthirst in the second half last week with a small knock and Greg Cundle will be looked at ahead of any team selection, while Sefa Kahraman has joined Alfie Egan, Kieran Monlouis and Tobi Adebayo-Rowling on the sidelines.
Hungerford’s play-off challenge had faltered a little into 2022, with 14 goals conceded in four games, but a first win and clean sheet in five at Chelmsford last weekend keeps them in the hunt for seventh place amongst a group of seven clubs vying for the same. Their away form is much the same as their home form, with seven wins apiece, although until that win at Chelmsford last Saturday, all of Hungerford’s victories on the road had come in 2021.
They remain only a point off seventh place with a game in hand on Dulwich Hamlet, however, so will come to the Kuflink Stadium knowing the need for points is huge to keep their nose ahead of the chasing pack.
With one of the league’s leading scorers in their ranks as well – Ryan Seager has 24 to his name this season and scored both goals at Chelmsford last Saturday – Hungerford have a clear threat up front. Seager scored twice late on in the previous meeting between the clubs last November – Fleet playing some scintillating football throughout that 4-3 win but the Crusaders rallying late in an entertaining game.
Since that match, Hungerford have added a couple of loanees from Wycombe in Max Ram and Andre Burley, while Max Sheaf – a Gravesend boy no less – has joined from Gloucester City. In addition to Sheaf’s local links, there’s also a coincidence between full-back Rhys Tyler and Fleet boss Dennis Kutrieb, with both having played for German side Rot-Weiß Oberhausen.
Other new faces include Uzbek-born midfielder Nodirbek Bobomurodov and Portuguese player Claudio Herbert, while ex-Dartford man Duane Ofori-Acheampong – scorer of the winner in 2016’s North Kent derby – might also put in an appearance.
MATCHDAY SMALL PRINT ——–>
ONLINE SALES
Our online ticketing sales platform at fleetlive.club has tickets available at reduced price until 12.00pm on matchday. We would advise pre-purchase for both your and our convenience in gaining admission to the ground.
On-the-day ticket sales continue to be available from the windows by main reception (and you can buy at a reduced rate until midday), accepting card and cash payments. Turnstiles open at 1pm but please remember they will only be accepting online tickets (printed out or on your device) and tickets bought at the windows on matchday. The dedicated season-ticket gate will continue to accept your season-ticket cards as usual.
Tickets may also be purchased before the game from local pubs The Edinburgh Castle and The Rose.
The Football Weekends free tickets offer for this Hungerford game runs until 5pm on Friday.
MAIN STAND BAR
There is no segregation for this game – so all supporters are welcome in our Main Stand Bar and Social Club bar. To access the Main Stand bar, enter through the turnstiles and walk the length of the gangway in the Main Stand to the door at the Swanscombe (uncovered) End. There is signage pointing you in the direction. Dennis Kutrieb does a pre-match teamsheet run-through and he and other players attend the bar post-match as well for the man of the match presentation.
CATERING OUTLETS
Check out the new food stalls (to the left of the main turnstiles entrance, there is our Würtsel Haus German sausage experience and straight ahead as you enter the ground is the Manhattan Grill for all your burger, hot dog and more needs!). Pop-up bars are also situated near to the turnstiles and by ‘Geeks Corner’ between the Plough End and old stand. Our new guest lager from Iron Pier Brewery features in another popup bar next to the German food stall.
CAR PARKING
Car-parking as per usual on matchdays is available at Ebbsfleet International Car Park C for £3. Please have the correct change if possible to aid our parking staff and again, we would recommend an early arrival. Please note that the areas near to Northfleet Station, namely Railway Street and Hamerton Road, have recently become resident/permit-only parking and non-valid vehicles will be ticketed. The area on Thamesway before the roundabout as you approach the Kuflink Stadium is a designated clearway – though that is not particularly apparent as you approach – so you are advised not to park here because of the risk of being ticketed.
MATCHDAY PROGRAMMES
If you wish to purchase your programme in advance for collection from our club shop before you enter the ground, you can do so either via our online shop or when booking your matchday tickets online.
Programmes are also on sale at the ground from the club shop, the popup bar as you enter the turnstiles, the Main Stand tea kiosk or in the Social Club behind the Plough End, costing £3. Advance-order programmes will be available to pick up from the club shop before the game and before you enter the turnstiles.
