Fleet will hope to continue the momentum shown in the final half-hour of last Saturday’s memorable comeback at home to Hartlepool United as well as get off to something of a better start at Stockport County this weekend.
In what will be only our third visit to Edgeley Park, and the first for seven years against the National North champions, Kevin Watson’s side go in search of three points that could, results elsewhere depending, haul them out of the bottom four for the first time this season. By the same token, a win for Stockport could take them back into the play-off zone.
However, with the Fleet the only team in the bottom six not playing at home, they’ll have to summon the strengths of the three previous away games that all resulted in victories.
“It’s a long trip and it doesn’t get any easier,” Watson said. “You find yourself saying the same things about teams you’re playing week in, week out. If anybody’s going to take anything off us, they’re going to have work extremely hard to get that off us.”
The manager was last week confident of Andre Blackman making a return while Alex Reid was confined to an appearance from the bench on Saturday. And with numbers further depleted by Albie Morgan’s Charlton return, the team-selection options have been somewhat limited this past seven days.
Throw in a suspension for Josh Umerah and Tomi Adeloye (pictured above) may see more action following his 45 minutes last Saturday that included an excellent assist for the first of Myles Weston’s two goals.
Hosts Stockport have been inconsistent after a reasonable start to life back in the National League. Having reached as high as fifth place, they suffered an alarming decline in form in September, losing five matches in a row that included a 3-0 defeat to Chorley and conceding four goals to Torquay and Boreham Wood.
The Hatters have steadied the ship somewhat since and recorded some impressive wins against Hartlepool United, Dover Athletic, Dagenham & Redbridge and last week at Barnet, which took them into 11th place.
Their form in front of regular 4,000 crowds at Edgeley Park has been hot and cold, with six wins and four defeats and they are yet to draw a game in front of their own fans.
The County players quite literally hit the gym this week in a boxing session and are largely fighting fit with only a couple of injury concerns.
Watson will impress upon his side their ability to get goals and balance that against County’s tendency to concede, with the home side the only team in the top half with a negative goal difference.
Their chief threats are creative midfielder Elliot Osborne with five goals this season and striker Frank Mulhern with four. Backup goalkeeper Ian Ormson has a back problem ahead of the game and long-term casualty, striker Darren Stephenson, is still a way from match fitness.
Fleet are looking for a first win at Stockport, having drawn one and lost the other of our previous two visits in 2011 and 2012.
Ticketing info
Visiting supporters will be segregated and accommodated in the all-seated Vernon (South) Stand.
There are no cash-turnstiles and tickets can be purchased online via Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/away-fans-stockportcounty-vs-ebbsfleet-united-tickets-81394492117
Tickets can also be purchased on the day from any of the Ticket Office windows; however, the club strongly advises pre-purchase to avoid excessive queues.
ADMISSION PRICES:
Adults (18+) £18
*Concessions £12 i) Students in full-time education
ii) over 65’s
iii) ambulant disabled supporters (carer free)
Aged 6-17’s £5
**Under 6’s FREE With a paying adult
Unfortunately, there is no access in the away stand for supporters in a wheelchair. Any disabled supporter requiring a ticket for our Wheelchair Bays must contact our ticket office at least 24-hours prior to the game on 0161 266 2700 (option1 followed by option 4) or tickets@stockportcounty.com, we will allocate tickets accordingly, which can then be paid for and collected from our Ticket Office Reception on the day of the match.
Supporters travelling by car: Supporters should be informed that there will be no parking at the ground. Street parking is extremely limited, and all adjacent streets are zone-controlled on match days and patrolled by civil enforcement officers. Pay and display car parks can be found on Castle Street, Edgeley which is a two-minute walk to the stadium.
