From championships to Cheshunt, the do-or-die deliberations fall to the visitors this time around at the Kuflink Stadium as Craig Edwards’ Ambers are poised precariously atop the relegation trapdoor, seeking to avoid a return to whence they came.
But there’ll be no let up in the Fleet quest for points despite the season’s ultimate goal having been wrapped up smartly last Good Friday. With a defeat to Braintree three days later and the reverse at Cheshunt before Christmas still smarting, Dennis Kutrieb and his players will be in no mood to let standards and further points slip away.
Having achieved the 100-goal mark at Braintree on Monday, now it’s the 100-point mark within reach, a milestone that would be a first-ever achievement for the Fleet whose previous best points total was the 99 that won the Ryman Premier title 21 years ago.
Dominic Poleon will be eyeing what could be his last chance to add to his goals total before any suspension kicks in while fresh legs in the form of Joe Martin and Christian N’Guessan could return after neither were named in the squad at Braintree.
Ben Chapman crowned his recent run in the side with the club’s 100th league goal this season, a strike that looked like it might win the 10 men at least a point until Braintree’s winner.
From 10 men to 50+ of them, Cheshunt have had a tough and testing first season ever at this level. Edwards has used upwards of 55 players this season as he settles on a formula to keep his side in the division after they rose via the play-offs in 2021/22, only two years after a previous promotion from the Isthmian Division One North.
His most recent arrival certainly has the experience to dig Cheshunt out of trouble, striker Jamar Loza having graced the likes of Southend United, Woking and Maidstone United in the past. He has come in on loan from Barnet and joins a number of younger loanees from EFL clubs such as Isaac Pitblado (QPR), Avan Jones and Tyrrell Newton (Luton Town), Billy Cracknell (Colchester United) and George Nunn (Derby County).
Former Fleet player of the year and promotion hero, goalkeeper Preston Edwards, will be making a return to his old ground although he’ll likely be on the bench, deputising for Adam Desbois.
Cheshunt are on a run of one win in their last six games and they’ve only scored three goals in that time but they have produced the goods on occasion this season, with a double over Dover Athletic and of course they’ll be seeking the same against the Fleet. They’ve also beaten Eastbourne and drawn at places like Braintree and Havant.
It’s nip and tuck at the bottom. Cheshunt have a game in hand on their rivals thanks to their postponement last Monday, but all their remaining matches come against sides in with a shout of the play-offs. Their main rivals Dulwich Hamlet by comparison have an easier run-in on paper, while Weymouth are creeping up behind them, too. So it won’t do Cheshunt much good to shut up shop on Saturday, they will need to secure at least a point.
Top scorer is Reece Beckles-Richards who fired the only goal against the Fleet in December, while Ken Charles is another option having returned from King’s Lynn Town.
Skipper Joe Re has been absent through injury for a period but given the player turnover at Cheshunt this season, a predicted starting eleven might be the Fleet staff’s first challenge ahead of the main event at 3.00pm.
• Please note the road closure at Swanscombe along Galley Hill Road and plan extra journey time accordingly.
MATCHDAY SMALL PRINT ——–>
ONLINE SALES
Our online ticketing sales platform at fleetlive.club has tickets available until 12.00pm on matchday. We would, however, strongly 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 1pm but they will only accept online tickets (printed out or on your device) and tickets bought at the windows on matchday.
This game is not segregated.
MAIN STAND BAR
All supporters are welcome in our Main Stand and Social Club bars. 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. Post-match music entertainment is free after the final whistle.
CATERING OUTLETS
We have a new bar opening in the old Sponsors’ Lounge (the building situated by the Swanscombe End) serving beers from Iron Pier Brewery and Hofmeister so please do check that out. And in the corner of the Main Stand and Swanscombe End is a new food catering outlet, Fleet Feast, which opened to the public along Stonebridge Road last week and will be serving teas, coffees, other drinks and hot food/snacks.
Check out our other existing 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 a popup 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.
