The Fleet play Exeter city this afternoon for their fourth encounter of the season.

The match is debatably the most important for the Fleet so far, and a win would boost them towards the play off spots, still leaving them with a game in hand.

The Fleet have already played the Grecians once in the League, FA Cup (fourth qualifying round) and the Setanta Shield, drawing 1-1, losing 3-1 and winning 3-2 (aet) respectively.

Exeter - like Ebbsfleet - are currently on a good run of form beating play off rivals Cambridge and Stevenage in the last week, and drew with Forest Green the Saturday previously.

Player News

No new concerns for the Fleet, although Liam Daish has said in a MyFC video Peter Hawkins’ groin injury is “improving”, although he is still having trouble with it. Danny Slatter is still recovering, but Gary MacDonald is again available for selection.

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Last Season

The Fleet were defeatless against the Grecians last season, drawing the home tie 2-2 but winning the away tie 3-1. The away game’s victory came courtesy of two mistakes from then keeper Martin Rice, who now plays for rivals Torquay to put the Fleet 2-0 up. Luke Moore then scored a fabulous goal to make the points safe for the Fleet. This can be seen on YouTube.

Ebbsfleet United travel away tonight to play Weymouth for the second concecutive match. The Fleet defeated the Dorset club 1-0 on Saturday at home in the 3rd round of the FA Trophy. Ebbsfleet qualified for tonight’s match, the fifth round of the Setanta Shield, by defeating Exeter City at St James Park Stadium back in December, while a 2-1 win over Salisbury City saw Weymouth sail through to this stage. This is the fourth match of the season against Weymouth, with both league matches already played in September and January with a 2-0 defeat and a 4-1 victory respectively.

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The Fleet take on Weymouth in the third round of the FA Trophy this afternoon on the back of 6 straight wins in all competitions. Ironically, one of these wins came against Weymouth in the league back on 5th February, where the Fleet overcame the Terras 4-1 at Stonebridge Road. However, since then Weymouth have since sacked former manager Jason Tindall and replaced him with former Chelsea, Swansea, Rochdale and Crawley boss John Hollins - whos first game in charge in against the Fleet today.

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No new injury concerns - Danny Slatter is unlikely to feature again this season, and Peter Hawkins may still be recovering from a groin injury.

New signing Ronnie Bull is cup tied after playing half a game against Eastleigh for Crawley in the second round.

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How they got here (FA Trophy Run)

The Fleet are set to take on Staffordshire club Burton Albion tomorrow afternoon, in the second match against the club this season. Ebbsfleet United travelled away to draw against Burton 1-1 in September with Luke Moore putting the Fleet ahead in the 12th minute before Burton equalised in the 85th minute.

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Long term absentee Gary MacDonald could finally return after returning to full fitness, while Chukki Eribenne is again available for the match. Peter Hawkins however looks to be doubtful as he is still reportedly suffering from a groin injury.

The only Burton injury is forward Jake Edwards who is suffering fron a neck injury.

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Ebbsfleet United face Blue Square South team Dorchester Town tomorrow away at Avenue Stadium. The Dorset team started competitive play in 1947 enterring the Western League Second Division. In more recent years, Dorchester were promoted to the Southern Premiership in 2002/03 before a League Pyramid shake-up moved them to the Conference South in 2004/05. Dorchester finished 17th in the league last season, three places above the relegation zone. Currently Dorchester Town sit 20th which puts them just in the relegation zone. Dorchester defeated Stevenage Borough 2-1 to get to this stage in December.

The FA Trophy will also be present at this match, and will be in the club bar from midday to 3PM. Fans will also have the opportunity to have their photograph taken with the trophy.

Player News

Paul McCarthy is available for the match again, having come on in the 90th minute of last Saturday’s match against Weymouth following a two match suspension. Chris McPhee is rumoured to be back for the match after missing the Weymouth match following a minor inury. Long term absentees Gary MacDonald and Danny Slatter continue to make progress to recovery.

Ebbsfleet United are set to play the second tie of the season against Weymouth tomorrow afternoon at home. The Fleet were defeated 2-0 away at The Wessex Stadium in September with the match forming the third succesive defeat. Weymouth F.C. dates back to 1890, the same year as Northfleet United was formed, they earned the nickname of the ‘Terras’ for their terracotta strip and the name remains with them to this day. Recent years have seen a number of promotions for Weymouth as they moved from Southern League Southern Division to Souther League Premier in 1997/98, then were promoted from the Premier to the Conference South in 2003/04 only to be promoted again two years later in 2005/06 to the Conference National. Last season, Weymouth finished 11th in the league.

Player News

Paul McCarthy is again available for the Fleet after serving his two-match suspension, however Chris McPhee looks unlikely after picking up an injury from a heavy tackle against Grays Athletic on New Years Day. Long term absentees Gary MacDonald and Danny Slatter continue to make progress to recovery.

For the Terras, defenders Ashley Vickers and Narada Bernard look unlikely to appear in the match tomorrow.

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Last Season

Gravesend & Northfleet lost both matches to Weymouth last season, being defeated 3-1 last March, and 2-1 in October 2006.

Ebbsfleet United are set to play Grays Athletic for the second time in less than a week. The Fleet went 1-0 down to Grays in the 19th minute before substituted John Akinde was able to keep the Fleet afloat with a 76th minute equaliser. The Essex side finished 19th in the Conference National last season, and currently are two places below the Fleet with a game in hand.

Player News

Paul McCarthy is still out serving his second match in a 2 match suspension. No new Fleet injuries have been announced.

For Grays, defender Adam Gross could return after a hamstring injury while midfielder Charlie Hearn may also make an appearance after making good recovery from a foot injury.

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Last Season

Both matches last season were 2-0 victories for the Fleet. The first match, at Stonebridge Road, had goals from Charlie MacDonald and Mark DeBolla either side of the break.

In the second, an away match on a cold January day, Liam Coleman fired past the keeper in the first half. Before Charlie MacDonald ended his no-goal spell by securely putting away the goal post rebound from Onome Sodje. This match pushed the Fleet up to third in the league.

Following their Boxing Day draw away at Grays Athletic, the Fleet will now travel to Staffordshire to play 23rd place Stafford Rangers. Rangers were promoted in the 2005/06 season after finishing 2nd in the Conference North and winning against Droylsden in the play-offs on penalties. Stafford Rangers finished 20th last season, and while the Fleet were attempting to finish in the play-offs on the last day of season, Stafford were attempting to stay out of relegation zone, a feat they accomplished despite losing 1-0 to Forest Green Rovers.

The Fleet defeated Stafford earlier this season at home, coming back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 with goals from George Purcell and Stacy Long. See match report. Stafford have played four matches since playing the Fleet, drawing at home to Northwich, defeated away at Aldershot 4-3 and defeated at home to Burton Albion 3-0. However they did defeat Northern Premier club Ossett Town 3-1.

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There are no new injury worries for the Fleet, however Paul McCarthy will be absent from the match, serving the first match of his two match suspension for hand-balling on the goal line a second time this season.

Stafford will be without Welsh midfielder Chris Flynn who was sent off in the Boxing Day match against Burton Albion. Stafford will also be missing forward Nathan Smith and defender Fred Murray who are both injured.

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Last Season

Gravesend and Northfleet endured two heavy defeats to Stafford Rangers last season. An October home tie resulted in a 4-1 loss for the Fleet, with Charlie MacDonald headering home after the Fleet went 2-0 down. Video of goal.

While a March away trip resulted in another poor performance from the Fleet with a 3-1 defeat, Alex Varney scored the solitary Fleet goal after bundling past two defenders and putting the ball in the top corner from the edge of the area.

Ebbsfleet United are set to travel away this Boxing Day to local rivals Grays Athletic. The Essex side finished 19th in the Conference National last season, and currently are two places below the Fleet with a game in hand. The Blues’ last league match was over a month ago, when they lost to Aldershot 3-2 away. Since, they have won a home tie against Lewes, scoring 3-0.

Player News

Chukki Eribenne is available again after serving his 3-match suspension, and there are no fresh injuries for the Fleet.

Grays Athletic will be without defender Adam Gross and midfielder Charley Hearn, who are out with a hamstring injury and foot injury respectively.
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Last Season

Both matches last season were 2-0 victories for the Fleet. The first match, at Stonebridge Road, had goals from Charlie MacDonald and Mark DeBolla either side of the break.

In the second, an away match on a cold January day, Liam Coleman fired past the keeper in the first half. Before Charlie MacDonald ended his no-goal spell by securely putting away the goal post rebound from Onome Sodje. This match pushed the Fleet up to third in the league.

Ebbsfleet United went through to the fifth round of the Setanta Shield last friday, defeating Exeter City away 3-2 with the winner coming after extra time. This means currently the Fleet are in three cup competitions Setanta Shield R5, Kent Senior Cup QF and FA Trophy R2. The draw for the next round of the Setanta Shield is complete, with the Fleet being tied against Weymouth away. This match must be played before the end of February.

The full draw comprises:

Northern Section

Droylsden/Farsley Celtic v Burton Albion
Kidderminster Harriers v Rushden & Diamonds
Nuneaton Borough v Halifax Town
York City v Barrow/Northwich Victoria

Southern Section

Crawley Town v Welling United/Grays Athletic
St.Albans City v Aldershot Town
Weymouth v Ebbsfleet United
Woking v Forest Green Rovers

While the results for round 4 are as follows:

Northern Section
Barrow - Northwich Victoria
Burton Albion 2-1 Tamworth
Cambridge United 0-1 Rushden & Diamonds
Droylsden OFF Farsley Celtic
Hinckley United 1-2 Kidderminster Harriers
Histon 1-2 Halifax Town
Nuneaton Borough 2-1 Altrincham
Stafford Rangers 0-2 York City AET

Southern Section
Aldershot Town 1-0 Oxford United
Eastbourne Borough 1-2 Crawley Town
Exeter City 2-3 Ebbsfleet United AET
Hampton & Richmond Borough 0-1 Forest Green Rovers
St Albans City 2-0 Torquay United
Salisbury City 1-2 Weymouth
Welling United - Grays Athletic (21 December)
Woking 2-1 Stevenage Borough