The Wood are back on the road this Saturday, March 16 (3pm), when we head to Ebbsfleet United, in the National League. Here’s our preview…
Match Details
Tickets are available to purchase on the gate, on the day of the game. Tickets are priced as follows: Adults £15; Over 60’s/Students £12; Under 17’s £7; Under 12’s Free (with a paying adult).
If segregation is in force, then visiting fans are allocated the Swanscombe End.
Team News
Luke Garrard has no fresh injuries to contend with.
Ralston Gabriel has completed his two-match suspension and will be available for selection once again on Saturday.
Sean Shields is on loan from Ebbsfleet United and is unavailable to play against his parent club.
Form Guide
The Wood earned a 1-1 draw last time out, away to a battling Dover Athletic side. It could prove to be a valuable point in their bid to avoid the drop zone.
Debutant Charlie Cooper provided a delicious assist, which Justin Shaibu latched onto, before tucking it into the corner of the net.
The draw with Dover makes it five points from a possible nine, in their last three matches.
A superb win away to Bromley was backed up by a draw with promotion chasing AFC Fylde, prior to the 1-1 result at Dover Athletic.
The Wood currently sit 16thin the National League table, on 44-points, six points above the drop zone.
Managed by 59-year-old Gary Hill, Kent based Ebbsfleet United have been resurgent under their new manager, rising to 10thin the table, on 55-points.
They have won two, drawn two and lost just once in their last five matches. They won last time out, beating Maidenhead United 3-0.
One to Watch – Sam Magri
Fleet full-back Sam Magri is an influential player for Gary Hill’s side, making 36 appearances so far this season.
Comfortable at both full-back and in the middle of defence, Magri is a rock at the back and adds a positive attacking threat to Hill’s side, from the back.
The defender is also an established international and regularly turns out for Malta, previously featuring in World Cup qualifiers against both England and Scotland.
Magri suffered with injuries towards the end of last season but has returned to full strength, once again playing a key role this campaign.
From the Dugout – Luke Garrard
“They are a side who boast unbelievable quality and they have got personnel in there who I think could get into teams who are in the top five or six at this level.
“The likes of Winfield, Kedwell, Payne and King, I think that they are all very, very good footballers.
“It is our third away game in two weeks. We went to Bromley in Kent, we went to Dover on Tuesday in Kent and now we go to Ebbsfleet United in Kent on Saturday.
“I have got to be honest, they finished sixth last year for a reason and their personnel alone is a play-off team.
“They didn’t lose many in the summer and they recruited the likes of Ebou Adams and Jack King.
“We are three unbeaten now though, with five points from three games. If we get nine points from the next 9 games, I think that could go some way to keeping us in the league.”
