Lovetts

EBBSFLEET UNITED v WOKING

Brian Caffarey
12:00am, Fri 19th Sep 2008

EBBSFLEET UNITED v WOKING

3pm on Saturday 20 September 2008

The Cards, on a high following their first win of the season, face a tough trip to Ebbsfleet United on Saturday. The Fleet have made a promising start to the season, lending support to the view of those who believe that they could challenge for a play-off spot this time round. They are unbeaten at home. Make the trip if you can and support the team!

WOKING

Morale is high following the Cards? 3-1 defeat of Grays Athletic last Saturday. This was evident too from the responses from Phil Gilchrist and the four player representatives (Colin Miles, Nick Gindre, Liam Marum and Gez Sole) at last night?s very positive fans? forum.

On the injury front, Phil confirmed last night that Abdou El Kholti?s ligament injury will definitely rule him out of the trip to Stonebridge Road. Paolo Vernazza is still doubtful.

EBBSFLEET UNITED

FA Trophy holders, the Fleet, seem to go from strength to strength under Liam Daish and now look serious contenders for a play-off place in spite of selling young striker John Akinde to Bristol City for ?150,000 plus add-ons. (The sale was notable for being the first decided by on-line polling.) Last season the Fleet ended in 11th place. They sit in 13th place at present, having registered three wins, four draws and two defeats. Notable results include a 2-0 away win at Torquay, a 4-1 away win at FGR and a 4-0 home thrashing of Stevenage Borough. Defeats have come away at Rushden and Diamonds and last Saturday, 3-2 at Wrexham, with Jefferson Louis scoring two for the Red Dragons.. Their last two home games both ended in 1-1 draws, against Oxford United and Cambridge United.

The main arrivals in the summer were: Ricky Shakes (Brentford), Craig Stone (Gillingham), Darius Charles (Brentford, loan) and Michael Gash (Cambridge City). Striker Gash cost some ?20,000 and was sought after by several clubs.

Ex-Card Gary McDonald has recently left the club by mutual consent after his first-team prospects appeared limited. Raphael Nade left the club in the summer. Neil Barrett, though, continues to ply his trade at Stonebridge Road.

PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS

2007/08

Woking 1 Ebbsfleet United 0

Last season we managed to secure all three points at home with a 1-0 win at the end of November, our first victory in nine games. Missing Tom Hutchinson, Paul Lorraine and Marvin Morgan, the Cards started with Matt Ruby and Jerome Maledon in defence, with Gez Sole partnering Joe Gatting up front. But it was Matt Pattison who scored the crucial goal in the 20th minute, side-footing home Danny Bunce?s cross on the volley. The Cards had a stroke of luck when Raph?s header was dubiously disallowed for offside.

Ebbsfleet United 1 Woking 1

In the return encounter the Cards were barely at the races and the only surprise was that it took the Fleet until the 71st minute to take the lead, Stacy Long bending a free-kick round the wall. Not for the first time, the Cards had substitute Gez Sole to thank for gaining a very unlikely point as he latched onto a ball over the top in injury time, planting his shot under keeper Lance Cronin?s body.

GETTING THERE

Stonebridge Road,

Northfleet, Kent
DA11 9BA

Tel: 01474 533796

Website: www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

Coach

Leaves 12.30pm; ?11 members, ?15 non-members; phone the Club Shop to book your place.

Car

Exit the M25 at Junction 2 and take the A2 coastbound. Leave the A2 at the Northfleet/Gravesend West junction. (The slip road is still under construction, but there is only one possible route.) When you reach the top of the slip road, turn left (compulsory). At the roundabout go straight across and down Springhead Road, and at the second roundabout turn left and follow the signs for "The Fleet". The Ground is at the end of the road and roadside parking is available all around the ground. Takes just over an hour if traffic is clear.

Train

Woking to Northfleet via London Waterloo and London Waterloo East. Trains leave Waterloo East at 05 and 35 minutes pas the hour, so the 13.05 arrives at 13.56 and the 13.35 arrives at 14.26. The ground is only 200 yards from station. Just walk up the station approach road and then turn left at the main road. The ground is on the right at the bottom of the hill. There?s a train back from Northfleet at 17.16, arriving at 18.15 or, if you?re quick off the mark, you could get the 16.56 from Northfleet to Gravesend, arriving at 17.00, and then pick up a faster train from there at 17.06, arriving at Waterloo East at 17.54.

Come on, you Cards!

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