Following a week of change at the Kuflink Stadium, the Fleet will have all eyes on them as Oldham await live on TNT Sports. It’s the first trip ever to Stonebridge Road for the Latics and the first league fixture broadcast here since we hosted Gateshead in 2018.
Danny Searle takes charge as interim head coach following the departure of Dennis Kutrieb on Monday while loanees Bryant Bilongo and Tommy Fogarty are two new faces in the Fleet squad.
Form guide
Oldham are sixth with 45 points but have suffered a couple of disappointing home results – last week to struggling Woking and an earlier exit in the Isuzu FA Trophy to Hendon. However, since the Fleet took a 4-1 win from Boundary Park, Oldham have won five of seven league matches to rise into the play-off places.
Last time out
Fleet fans won’t have forgotten the events of our first trip to Boundary Park with Greg Cundle sending the visitors in at the break in the lead. Most of the 6,400 supporters fully expected their side to push on when James Norwood equalised from the spot but in the final 10 minutes it was all Fleet as Dominic Poleon, Nathan Odokonyero and Dom Samuel piled in the goals.
New faces at Boundary Park
It’s been a busy January in the recruitment market for Oldham with five new arrivals – up front to partner Norwood, who has a good goalscoring record against the Fleet, is newest arrival this week Joe Garner from Carlisle United. He was on the bench for Fleetwood when we met in the Emirates FA Cup last season and has also played for Nottingham Forest, Preston and Rangers amongst others.
Andrew Dallas has scored goals for Solihull Moors and Chesterfield, who he helped to last season’s promotion final, and he’s in on loan from Barnsley.
Following six years at Port Vale, Tom Conlon was the first new face at Boundary Park this year and is another who brings a huge amount of EFL experience.
Oldham haven’t just opted for experienced players, however. Eighteen-year-old defender Sai Sachdev joins on loan from Sheffield United and midfielder Oliver Hammond has signed from Nottingham Forest.
The manager
Micky Mellon is a familiar face in the Vanarama National League having secured double promotions with Tranmere Rovers alongside striker James Norwood in 2018. Mellon has also been in charge of Dundee United, was promoted with Shrewsbury Town and took Fleetwood Town into the League. Six years ago to the very day, his Tranmere side beat the Fleet 3-0 at Prenton Park.
Club connections
Dominic Poleon spent two seasons at Oldham between 2014 and 2016, scoring eight goals. Ouss Cissé also had a spell at Boundary Park in 2021/22. Former Fleet loanee striker Alex Reid signed for Oldham in 2022 although he hasn’t started a game for them since November.
Myles Kenlock and Joe Garner played a total of eight games together during their time at Ipswich, midfielder Brennan Dickenson, meanwhile, played alongside Josh Wright and Joe Martin in his Gillingham days while Martin has also played with Tom Conlon at Stevenage.
Ticket info
Tickets can be bought 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/portakabin bar.
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.
Supporters can watch the Six Nations game between Italy and England in our Main Stand bar before the football, with doors opening at 2pm for that.
