A return to the Kuflink Stadium sees the Fleet battle for three points for the third time in seven days following a Bank Holiday weekend that saw the reds take the win against Kidderminster but suffer a defeat against Barnet two days later.
Form Guide
Despite Ebbsfleet going into this match with the continuing win-lose sequence of results, they will head into this match with much more confidence than Saturday’s opponents York City who are yet to secure a win this season – the only team in the National League yet to do so. It has been a tricky start for York City with the side sitting 23rd in the League – and only Southend (due to a points deduction) below them – and suffering back to back defeats in the opening games of the season.
A slight positive change to that difficult start saw York pick up a point in three consecutive matches, drawing with Altrincham at home then Aldershot and Dorking on the road. But a Bank Holiday defeat at home to Rochdale added another defeat to the L column – and cost manager Mikey Morton his job.
Head to head
The last time Ebbsfleet faced York was Valentine’s Night in 2012 in the FA Trophy – a tie that had been twice postponed before Fleet bowed out to the eventual winners at Bootham Crescent. The last win for the Fleet over York was a bloody battle on home soil in 2010 when Moses Ashikodi scored the only goal. The two sides have faced each other a total of 15 times with York earning the three points eight times compared to the Fleet’s four. It’s the Fleet, however, who can claim the biggest victory with a scoreline of 4-0 back when the sides first met in 2004 (and the story of that classic encounter is in this weekend’s matchday programme).
Who’s who
Former academy goalkeeper Ryan Whitley was recalled from a season-long loan at Scarborough to go back between the posts following an injury to the experienced David Stockdale but York have also signed Ryan Watson after a brief spell at Doncaster. Though it may not be a defensive record that would look too impressive at present, with no clean sheets as yet, on paper the York backline is formidable. It includes former Harrogate Town player Ryan Fallowfield, the experienced Callum Howe signed from Solihull Moors and former Fleet loanee Tyler Cordner who cost a six-figure fee this summer after York triggered his release clause at Aldershot.
Saturday’s visitors will have to cope without defender Adam Crookes and skipper and top scorer of last season Lenell John-Lewis, both of whom earned red cards at the weekend. In the midfield is Olly Dyson who signed for the club back in 2020 following his release at Huddersfield. Despite goals in his previous campaigns, Dyson is yet to score this season. Up front is York City’s leading goalscorer, former Welling striker Dipo Akinyemi – the only player at the club to score more than once. He fired 24 goals and made 11 assists for Ayr United last season ahead of being named Scottish Championship Player of the Year.
The manager
The big news out of York City this week was the sacking of Mikey Morton following a winless start to the campaign. There is no official announcement of a new manager as yet, so Tony McMahon has been named as caretaker manager and will be in charge for the visitors this Saturday. Though McMahon has minimal experience in the dugout, his playing career is packed with experience, with over 400 appearances in professional football including the likes of Middlesbrough, Sheffield United and Bradford City.
Club connections:
Tyler Cordner is a familiar name down at the Kuflink as he made 20 appearances as a loanee at the Fleet in the 2019/20 campaign when Ebbsfleet were last in the National League. Although Cordner never made his way on to the scoresheet, he quickly became a fans’ favourite. Since then, he has played for the likes of Scunthorpe, Weymouth, Southend and Aldershot. And interim boss McMahon may have some inside information as to how to stop Dominic Poleon’s scoring streak as the pair played together at Bradford City.
Tickets
Tickets can be bought online 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.
