It’s a Kent derby with a difference this Christmas as the Fleet host Tonbridge Angels on a Boxing Day for the first time.
Form Guide
The Fleet head into this match off the back of successive wins against Braintree Town and Chelmsford City, with last Saturday’s victory pushing Josh Wright’s team to 10th place in the National League South and four points off the play-offs
Tonbridge Angels have had a mixed run of form of late with two wins, two defeats and most recently a draw in their last five, with an impressive three points at Torquay in that. Their most result saw Dagenham & Redbridge combe back twice to level things at Longmead, where Tonbridge have won only one league game this season. That cancelled out a brace from Sean Shields. The Angels are currently 16th with five wins away from home this campaign.
Head to head
The last league meeting between the two sides was in March 2023 when Josh Wright put the Fleet ahead but his effort was cancelled out by Scott Wagstaff late on.
The Fleet also beat Tonbridge in last season’s Kent Senior Cup semi-final.
One of the Fleet’s biggest victories over Tonbridge came on the opening day of the 2021/22 season when Dom Poleon scored a hat-trick in a 5-1 win.
Who’s who
Scott Wagstaff is a highly experienced midfielder who has made 400+ EFL appearances during spells with Charlton Athletic and Gillingham. Has has also made over 100 appearances for the Angels since his arrival in 2022. Wagstaff was named club captain ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Alfie Pavey arrived recently on loan for the remainder of the season from Bracknell Town. He is remembered for his goalscoring spells around this level with the likes of Dartford, Maidstone, Havant & Waterlooville, Dover, Barnet, Braintree Town and Eastbourne Borough.
Sean Shields (above) is a former Fleet winger who has been with the Angels since 2023 and has featured 75 times. The 32-year-old spent five years at the Kuflink Stadium after first arriving from Dagenham on loan. He made almost 140 appearances in that time, despite several loan spells.
Match info
Match tickets can be purchased online here in advance with prices rising at midnight. Tickets can also be purchased from our ticket windows (please note, not at the turnstiles) on the day. Remember also it is an earlier kick-off time of 1pm.
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 11am. 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.
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.
Segregation
Police have advised that due to behavioural issues this season at other clubs from a small minority of travelling supporters, this match needs to be segregated – Tonbridge fans will be allocated a section of the Swanscombe End and will have available a bar with non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages along with light refreshments and snacks, as well as a food stall that includes burgers, hotdogs, chips and more. We have a great relationship with Tonbridge and welcome their travelling support generally and ask our supporters to do the same.
Fleet supporters will be allocated the usual Main and Old Stands, Plough End, Geeks’ Corner and a section of the Swanscombe End and can enjoy the usual matchday drinks and refreshments facilities which include the Eat Street Van, the Social Bar, the Main Stand bar, food outlet, Main Stand Kiosk and Geeks’ Corner Kiosk around the home segregation area.
Programmes
Our Fleet Review programme can be pre-ordered for £3 online with your ticket, or through our online club 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.
