With just two games to go in the National League South season, the division’s top spots are almost as tight as they were a year ago, meaning none of the interested sides can afford a slip-up before next week’s climax.

True, the destination of the title is a little more predictable with Worthing needing only a win at Maidstone to effectively confirm it, although should the Sussex side lose, any of the top five could yet pinch it from them. The play-off places, however, are where this season’s tightest positions exist with any of the teams in the Top 11 still capable of making it.

For the Fleet, that means a big match with plenty riding on it against visitors Hampton & Richmond Borough before a trip to Worthing next week, who will by then either be the champions or needing points to confirm as much.

Form
While the promotion race is still all over the place, the relegation places have been decided and Hampton ensured their survival by relegating Chippenham last week with a 1-1 draw. The Beavers have enjoyed mixed form with four wins and two draws from their last 10 matches with their last away victory coming five weeks ago at Slough. And before that, they wiped the floor with Hemel on their travels with a 3-0 win.

Previously…
After falling behind by two goals back in August at The Beveree Stadium (above), Fleet fought to a 2-2 draw before Hampton sealed the points with a third goal. Dom Samuel was hugely unfortunate not to earn a share with a controversial disallowed goal in added time. Fleet fired six past the Beavers in a 6-2 win on their last visit to us in 2023 (below) and this will be the 28th match between the sides. Hampton’s only league win at Stonebridge Road came back in 2000.

Who’s who?
Former Fleet winger Brendan Kiernan (below) returned to the Beavers in December having ended last season with Maidenhead (for whom he scored at the Kuflink Stadium this time last year). He has played more than 150 games and scored almost 50 goals for the club in his two spells. In between, he enjoyed time in the EFL with Harrogate Town, Grimsby Town and Walsall.

Hampton have undergone a big change in personnel since we last met and one of several loanees is striker Daniel Nkrumah, in from Worthing. A former Leyton Orient youth, he was signed by Middlesbrough after playing at Welling United on loan, and was part of the Boro U23 team alongside former Fleet player Bryant Bilongo. After returning south last year, he joined up with Wealdstone in the National League before a move to Worthing. Since arriving on loan, he has scored four goals in five appearances.

The manager
Former Dartford boss Alan Dowson returned to his old job at Hampton in December, having had spells on the staff with Hemel Hempstead Town and Aldershot Town. Dowson enjoyed success with Walton & Hersham and Kingstonian before guiding Hampton to the Isthmian League title a decade ago and then into the National South play-offs two seasons running. He moved on to Woking in 2018, taking them into the National League via the play-off route.

Tickets
Match tickets can be purchased online in advance here. Supporters can also buy on the day at our ticket windows next to the stadium reception/entrance (but not at the turnstiles themselves).

Car-parking is available for the special matchday price of £3 at Ebbsfleet International Car Park C. This is cash only and parking is available from 12:30pm. Please make sure you get a ticket from the steward in attendance and not from the ticketing machines which will not apply the discounted matchday price.

Tomorrow’s fixture is NOT segregated.

The Rose pub
The Rose Pub (1 Rose Street, DA11 9EQ) is open from 11am to home and away supporters. Located close to both the ground and Northfleet and Ebbsfleet stations, it’s an ideal venue for that pre- and post-match drink with food available throughout the day.

Programmes
Our 29th and final Fleet Review programme of the season can be pre-ordered for £3 online with your ticket, or from our online shop here up until 10am on matchday. In the ground, you can purchase in the club shop, just past the main turnstiles and at the Plough End social club. Please note, pre-ordered programmes must be collected from the club shop at the main reception entrance BEFORE entering the ground.

Radio commentary
There will be live match commentary online from BBC Radio Kent who publish the live link on matchdays via the BBC Sport website.

Minute’s silence
Tomorrow’s match is our annual memorial fixture where we remember those who we have lost over the past 12 months. A minute’s silence will be held ahead of the match.