On Wednesday evening, Ebbsfleet United entertain Eastleigh in the Vanarama National League.

It has been a difficult start to the season for the Fleet who have amassed just eight points from eighteen league matches. On Saturday, they travelled all the way to AFC Fylde only for the game to be called off due to a waterlogged pitch just over an hour before kick off.

Their last game followed two draws so they were hopeful that they could build on that with a home match. Sadly, it wasn’t to be as they were hit for six by Solihull Moors.

They were still optimistic until half time as they were the dominant side for the first forty-five minutes, only missing a goal or two to show for it. However, it all changed when the visitors scored twice in three minutes immediately after the restart, and they went on to add four more.

While the Ebbsfleet players were travelling back home from Fylde, Eastleigh were in action. They were involved in a one-one draw at home to Wealdstone. Noa Boutin, on loan from Bournemouth, put the Spitfires ahead in just the seventh minute, but they were pegged back by a Sam Ashford equaliser in the twentieth minute of the second period.  

Failure to drive home their advantage extended Eastleigh’s win-less run to ten league and cup games. However, they are still in eleventh place, just four points outside the play-offs. Away from home they have won two, drawn three and lost four.

As far as Ebbsfleet’s form is concerned, they have been better on their own patch than on the road. They have won one, against Hartlepool United, drawn three, and lost five. 

When the Fleet hosted Eastleigh last season, the home team won thanks to a strong second half performance. Bryant Akono Bilongo broke the deadlock three minutes after the break and Rakish Bingham made it two, five minutes later. Luke O’Neill rounded off the scoring just after the hour mark.

Harry Watling, Fleet’s manager, will be without the suspended loanee Jez Davies however, leading goalscorer Dominic Poleon should be available again after international duty with St. Lucia.

Picture supplied by Dave Plumb / Ebbsfleet United.