Familiar faces and territory for Fleet fans this Saturday as it’s a second home fixture in five days and a battle with Boreham Wood right around the corner. Tuesday night’s close affair with Dorking Wanderers left the Fleet empty-handed but the quest for those points goes on this weekend.
Form Guide
It’s a contest between 16th and 17th with both sides sitting in the bottom half of the table above the relegation zone. Boreham Wood have picked up the joint most number of draws this season (6) with just the two wins to their name. However, throughout the month of September, Boreham Wood haven’t lost a match away from home with both defeats this month displayed at Meadow Park. The Fleet have picked up just a single point in their past five matches and have suffered two defeats on the bounce at home.
Head to head
Saturday’s clash will be the 22nd time these sides have met and Fleet have the edge 10-6. The last time the two sides faced each other at the Kuflink was back in 2019 – the Fleet conquered and claimed the three points; Jack King, Sam Magri and Chris Bush all on the score sheet that day. There was also victory for Garry Hill’s squad the following season at Meadow Park with James Ball and Gozie Ugwu guiding the Fleet to a 2-1 win.
Who’s who
Boreham Wood’s goalkeeper will need no introduction to Fleet fans having spent three years at the club before making the move to Boreham Wood. Nathan Ashmore became a fans’ favourite, earning supporters player of the year in consecutive seasons.
Long-serving defender Femi Ilesanmi has made 177 appearances in his six-year spell and has become a regular starter for Luke Garrard’s side making his way onto the scoresheet 4 times during his era at the club.
Midfielder and captain is also a familiar face to Fleet fans and that is Jack Payne. He spent two years at the Fleet alongside Ashmore and signed for the Wood back in 2022.
Up front is Tyrone Marsh, another player who has worn a Fleet shirt over the years. In his second spell at the club, Marsh has made 117 appearances following a short spell at Stevenage. Though he has only landed on the scoresheet 25 times in his second stint, he is a regular starter for Boreham Wood and is widely regarded by the Wood supporters.
The manager
Before taking the managerial role at Boreham Wood, Luke Garrard racked up a total of 140 appearances for the side in the space of five years. Since retiring at the age of 30, he has spent eight years as manager at Boreham Wood, surpassing 400 games in charge this season away to York. During his time at Boreham Wood, he has led his team to the FA Cup 5th round where they faced Everton during the 2021/22 season at Goodison Park and also to a Wembley promotion final.
Club connections
Nathan Ashmore, Jack Payne and Tyrone Marsh are just three of the names that play for Boreham Wood that have proudly worn the Fleet shirt but the list goes on. Defender Chris Bush made 87 appearances for the Fleet during his two-year spell while striker Kwesi Appiah came out of Fleet’s academy in 2007.
In 2015/16, Fleet midfielder Billy Clifford was a regular starter for Boreham Wood having made 21 appearances for the side and along with Clifford, Shaq Coulthirst also spent a season at the Wood, making 16 appearancesv.
Ticket info
Tickets can be bought online here until kick-off (the match is segregated so please select HOME or AWAY options as necessary) and also on the day at our ticket windows. Car-parking is available for the special matchday price of £3 at Ebbsfleet International Car Park C. Programmes can be pre ordered online with your ticket or from our online shop here. 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 or at the turnstiles.
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.
Turnstiles open at 1pm.
