The third round of the Isuzu FA Trophy is the opening stage for the Fleet as Bishop’s Stortford visit for the first time in almost seven years. The Blues beat St Albans City in the previous round to earn this tie and like the Fleet, they are previous Wembley winners in the competition.
Form guide
Having thought they would battle it out in the National League South this season following promotion from the Isthmian Premier Division as champions, Bishop’s Stortford find themselves bottom of the National League North having been switched to that division due to the number of southern teams relegated last season. With only four wins out of a possible 21, Stortford are without a win in five and have just 14 points to their tally, leaving them bottom of the table by some way.
Head to head
The last time the Fleet hosted Saturday’s opponents – in March 2017 – saw a club-record victory with Darren McQueen (pictured above) one of two players (Anthony Cook the other) to score a hat-trick in an 8-0 thrashing. The Fleet certainly have the upper hand when it comes to the head to head battle, with 11 victories compared to the Blues’ four, the last win for the visitors coming a decade ago.
Who’s who?
Club captain and goalkeeper Jack Giddens arrived at the RDA Stadium in 2021 following a spell at East Thurrock. With a record of nearly one clean sheet every two matches (60 in 130 appearances) Giddens became a huge part of Stortford’s promotion team last season. The 31-year-old has also played for the likes of Billericay, Aveley and Tooting & Mitcham United.
Tall defender Manny Adebowale is currently on loan from Dartford having made the move last month. The former Havant & Waterlooville player arrives at the club for a second spell having played for them back in the 2015/16 season.
A second player in his second spell for the club is midfielder Ben Marlow. The 28-year-old spent 15 years at West Ham United from the age of eight until 23. Marlow played for Bishop’s Stortford in the 2015/16 campaign before making the move to East Thurrock where he enjoyed a number of seasons.
A threat is former Dulwich Hamlet attacking midfielder Gio McGregor who signed for Stortford in September from Wealdstone. The former Crystal Palace youngster has previously scored against the Fleet for Dulwich where he played with the Fleet’s McQueen. But with an eye for goal lately is Mbunya Alemanji who made the move from Cambridge United to AS Roma as a teenager. He joined the Blues after leaving Billericay in the summer.
The manager
Former goalkeeper Steve Smith first took charge of Bishop’s Stortford during the 2018/19 season alongside Jaime Cureton and took sole charge again in 2020. Smith is not only the manager but also the major shareholder since 2017.
Club connections
As mentioned, McQueen and McGregor were at Dulwich Hamlet together while Adebowale briefly lined up alongside Billy Clifford at Havant. With Rakish Bingham nearing fitness, he has the chance of a reunion with former Dundee United teammate Osman Sow – both players were also released by the Arabs on the same day in 2020!
Ticket info
Tickets can be purchased here online and also on the day at our ticket windows. However, tickets are at a discounted price until 5pm on Friday night.
Car-parking is available for the special matchday price of £3 at Ebbsfleet International Car Park C. Programmes can be pre-ordered with your ticket, or from our online shop priced at £2 for the smaller cup-tie issues. In the ground, you can purchase in the club shop, just past the main home turnstiles, at the Plough End social club and for away fans in the Old Sponsors Lounge/portakabin bar.
Supporters are reminded that alcohol will not be permitted to be consumed within view of the pitch and that matches will be segregated as required at the Swanscombe End (or the far end of it). Please cooperate with the instructions of our security team and stewards.
