Without a Kent derby in the National League this season, it’s off to Essex for Boxing Day for the first time since the Fleet took on Dagenham on December 26th, 2019. This time, it’s Roots Hall and Southend United with an anticipated crowd of 8,000 watching on.
Form guide
The Shrimpers are 16th in the league table with six wins but their form hasn’t reached the heights lately and a recent victory away at FC Halifax Town saw Kevin Maher’s side pick up only their first win since the end of October. Defensively, however, they have conceded the fewest goals of teams in the bottom half of the table.
Previous affairs
This is only the third meeting of the clubs – last season’s trip to Roots Hall ended in disappointment for the Fleet with Southend coming out on top while the reverse fixture on Good Friday in front of a packed Kuflink Stadium saw the points shared, Dominic Poleon on the scoresheet for the Fleet.
Who’s who?
Collin Andeng-Ndi is only 21 but has been at Southend since signing on professional terms in September 2021. The shot-stopper’s debut for the Shrimpers came in the FA Trophy against Dorking Wanderers, with his first league appearance against Stockport County in April 2022. In 2022/23, Andeng-Ndi was awarded Southend’s Young Player of the Year after he kept 13 clean sheets in 23 league games.
Gus Scott-Morriss joined Southend in the summer of 2022, on a two-year deal. The right-back joined Hemel Hempstead Town from Royston Town in 2021, having played against the Fleet in the 2019/20 FA Trophy. Since his arrival at Roots Hall, he has passed the 100-appearances milestone and last season won player of the year. Despite his position on the right of defence, he is the club’s top scorer with nine goals in all competitions.
James Morton is a central midfielder who joined the club on a two-and-a-half year deal last December. He spent 10 years with Bristol City, from 2013–23. He had three separate loan spells with Bath City in that time, playing 84 league games for the Romans. He arrived at Roots Hall with an EFL football pedigree playing for the likes of Forest Green Rovers, Grimsby Town and Gillingham.
Striker Aribim Pepple arrived on a season-long loan from Luton Town. With experience of playing in both Canada – where he was raised – and Spain, he has since had British football experience on loan at Grimsby Town, Bromley and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. This season, he has scored four goals in 17 appearances.
Club connections
Luke O’Neill and Dominic Poleon have spent time at Southend during their early playing careers while Josh Wright (pictured) had a spell as a player there during the 2017/18 season. And Southend’s first-team coach Mark Bentley is a former Fleet player of the year from his season with us in 2002/03.
Ticket info
Tickets can be purchased in advance here. Fleet supporters will be located in Block NF in the Solopress North Bank stand, situated behind the goal.
Please note that admission prices rise on matchdays.
Ticket prices are as follows;
In advance
Adults – £22
Senior (61+)/ Young Person (17-22)/ Emergency services/ Disabled – £17
Junior (9-16) £11
8 & Under – £6
Matchday
Adults – £24
Senior (61+)/ Young Person (17-22)/ Emergency services/ Disabled – £19
Junior (9-16) £13
8 & Under – £8
Turnstiles will open at 1:30pm
Food and drink
There is a small kiosk within the Solopress North Bank stand for away fans to purchase hot and cold food and beverages. However, this is not licensed to sell alcohol. Both cash and card payments are accepted. The Shrimpers bar does allow “well-behaved” away supporters before kick-off.
