The Fleet return to the Kuflink Stadium this Saturday after a three-week home league break to take on a Solihull Moors side who finished runners-up at Wembley twice last season – in the FA Trophy and promotion final.
Last time out
Like the Fleet, Solihull Moors found themselves pegged back from a winning position to settle for a draw in an exciting match at home to Altrincham last weekend. Alex Whitmore, Sam Bowen and Jack Stevens had put Solihull 2-0 and 3-1 up but Altrincham fought back and a late effort from Matty Kosylo saw the points shared. But the visitors have moved towards the play-off spots after a slow start this season.
Previous encounters
This will be the eighth meeting of the clubs and the fourth at the Kuflink Stadium. Solihull won last season’s fixture here, our first home match of 2023/24, by 2-1. Moors have won the last five meetings in all, with Fleet successful in the two before that.
Who’s who?
Laurie Walker is a 35-year old keeper who played against Solihull for Barnet in last season’s play-offs. He moved to the Midlands during the summer after two seasons at The Hive, his final match for Barnet being that play-off clash. He has also played for Oxford City, Hemel and Kettering Town.
In midfield, Bradley Stevenson is a former Gillingham player and one-time Fleet trialist who also arrived at Damson Park in the summer. He has scored two goals for the Moors this season in 13 appearances. Stevenson has also played for the likes of Billericay Town, Welling United and Chelmsford City.
The one to watch is Jack Stevens – the 23-year-old attacker arrived at Moors in March 2023 from Banbury United. He is currently Solihull’s top goalscorer this season with nine goals in all competitions and 21 in 59 appearances in all.
The manager
Former Coventry, Brighton and Oxford United defender Andy Whing is in his second managerial role – the first being at Banbury United where he won the Southern League Central title and took the club into the National North for the first time. Whing then made the move to Damson Park at the start of last season and reached those two finals in his debut season.
Club connections
Kwame Thomas is a former Moors player having spent 2017 to 2019 with the club. Striker Conor Wilkinson played with Josh Wright at Leyton Orient while loan signing from Watford Michael Adu-Poku was at Maidstone last season with Jephte Tanga and scored against the Fleet in the Kent Senior Cup Final.
Community Day
Upon your arrival to the Kuflink Stadium, you may notice plenty of schoolchildren in attendance, some of whom who will be viewing their first live football match. This has been a vision of Fleet supporter Kenny Brooker who made a generous donation to the EUFC Schools programme and more on that can be read here.
The club would also like to thank match sponsor Lee Nolan who made a donation to the initiative.
The children from the local schools will receive a goody bag to couple with their matchday ticket. This will include a copy of the Fleet Review programme, players cards, drinks and treats. We’d like to thank the Fleet Supporters Trust who donated chocolate bars that will be added to the children’s goody bags.
Matchday information
Tickets can be purchased here with prices rising at midnight by £1.
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 12pm. 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.
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.
Away supporters
Website : visitors’ guide
Away fans are allocated a section of the Swanscombe End and a number of priority seats in the Old Stand. Access is via the turnstiles at the Swanscombe End, situated to the left of the main entrance along Stonebridge Road and then up through the car-park.
Away fans have access to refreshments, food and a bar in the Swanscombe End. Our popular Eat Street van will be available for food (hot dogs and burgers) and beverages. Beers on tap include Hofmeister and Iron Pier, found in the away facility, clearly visible between the standing terrace and seating area. Both non-alcoholic and alcoholic refreshments along with sausage rolls and pasties can also be found in this bar.
Programmes
Programmes can be pre-ordered online with your ticket, or through our online club 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. Please note, pre-ordered programmes must be collected from the club shop at the main reception entrance BEFORE entering the ground.
