Fleet fans who haven’t yet made it home from Weymouth are coast-hopping their way slowly towards Eastbourne across a long weekend as they prepare to reunite with their side at Priory Lane this Tuesday night.
The long trip south on Saturday will be repeated (in rather shorter measure) as Dennis Kutrieb’s side regroup in search of another three points against a side who will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing home reverse.
The Fleet boss hinted at some changes to his side after their gruelling journey and tough 90+ minutes on a hard, unforgiving pitch. Add into the mix a quite frenetic game in soaring temperatures plus the small matter of only two days’ recovery and if ever Fleet needed to utilise a squad with strength in depth, then that time might well be now.
There were no reported injuries from Saturday’s game for the Fleet, though Joe Martin was withdrawn at half-time, so it remains to be seen how much any fatigue in the camp will affect team selection.
Last season’s corresponding fixture saw Greg Cundle open the scoring early on before Will Wood’s sending-off in the second half left Fleet mounting an impressive rearguard with 10 men to make off with all three points.
Eastbourne had their own frenetic late show on Saturday, but in reverse. Leading 3-1 and at one point ahead of the Fleet and on top of the live table, the Sports let slip their advantage, conceding three goals in the second half to Bath City, the Romans’ winner coming in the last minute.
That will surely galvanise Danny Bloor’s side who began the campaign with an impressive 3-1 win at their playoff conquerors Oxford City on the opening day.
Under Bloor, Eastbourne have been transformed from lower mid-table also-rans to playoff contenders – and their formula as they head into their third season as such is to maintain a large core of existing players and tweak rather than make wholesale changes. It’s the kind of formula that has aided the likes of Bromley, Maidenhead United and Wealdstone in past promotions from this division.
The Sports have made one new addition this week with former Stevenage player Bradley Barry coming in. Nephew of ex-England international Gareth Barry, the defender played alongside Fleet’s Haydn Hollis at Chesterfield and won promotion into the EFL with Barrow.
Elsewhere over the summer, Eastbourne have lost the striking talents of Lincoln-bound Charley Kendall, midfielder Joel Rollinson and a couple of loanees from last season but kept together the spine of 2021/22’s successful side. Added to the recent signing of Barry are former Maidstone and Eastleigh defender Alex Wynter, Guyana international Miquel Scarlett plus midfielder Shiloh Remy from QPR – but by and large it’s much the same team they finished with in April.
Discounted online tickets for tonight’s game are available here, otherwise supporters can pay at the ticket office.
