The Fleet will aim to make it a lights fantastic by targeting another three points at home to Braintree Town this Tuesday evening.
The first 7.45 kick-off of the season under the Kuflink Stadium floodlights recalls Braintree’s last visit here, also an evening game, and a 2-0 win for the Fleet… though a dogged visiting side made it very difficult on the night.
After the cancellation of the weekend’s ‘bigged-up’ clash at second-placed Havant, Fleet must now instead refocus on Braintree and then again as Dover revisit in the Emirates FA Cup. But it’s the Essex side who will be of most immediate concern as Dennis Kutrieb ponders a visiting team in a very similar position to the previous ones, Bath City. Like the Romans, the Iron are in a play-off position and they have a couple of potent forwards who will seek out any gaps as Fleet come forward on home soil.
Kutrieb has no fresh injury worries of major concern but will surely be mindful of the recent contributions of the likes of Darren McQueen and Kieran Monlouis as his side look for win number eight of the campaign.
Braintree’s last visit here did, as mentioned, end in defeat but they hold the current bragging rights courtesy of their last-gasp 1-0 win at Cressing Road back in March. Then, under the management of Ryan Maxwell, they were a dogged, determined and in-your-face side on a roll of form that steered them well clear of relegation.
Maxwell has since departed and so have most of those players, with the Braintree squad likely to feature no more than two who featured in the last meeting. New boss Angelo Harrop, recruited from AFC Sudbury, has rebuilt the side over the summer and it’s certainly paying dividends with Braintree – for two or three years now staring relegation in the face – up to fifth place.
Strikers Aaron Blair – on loan from Dagenham; Lamar Reynolds – recently signed from Concord; and Levi Amantchi – once of Chesterfield – have scored 11 goals between them. Elsewhere, experienced additions include skipper John White from Southend United, who played alongside Fleet goalkeeper Mark Cousins at Colchester, plus winger Willie Clemons who has 25 caps for Bermuda. In a case of more friends reunited, Braintree goalkeeper Jack Sims was part of the Blackpool U18 side with Christian N’Guessan.
Rising to fifth courtesy of two strong away wins – a 5-0 thrashing of Cheshunt and a 3-1 victory at Essex neighbours Concord – Braintree clearly have some form on the road. That said, all their wins this season so far have come against sides in the bottom half of the table… though a point against Havant & Waterlooville is not to be sniffed at either.
Fans are reminded that a minute’s silence will be observed before kick-off in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
MATCHDAY SMALL PRINT ——–>
ONLINE SALES
Our online ticketing sales platform at fleetlive.club has tickets available until 5.00pm on Tuesday evening. We would advise pre-purchase for both your and our convenience in gaining admission to the ground.
On-the-day ticket sales are available from the windows by main reception, accepting card and cash payments. Turnstiles open at 6pm but they will only accept online tickets (printed out or on your device) and tickets bought at the windows on matchday. There is a dedicated gate for season-ticket holders but they may also use their cards through other turnstile gates.
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 our 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. We have new Kingfisher plus Hofmeister popups to be found in the marquee between the main turnstiles entrance and the Main Stand.
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, are 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.
