Concord won't look forward to coming to Ebbsfleet, says Steve Brown

EBBSFLEET UNITED manager Steve Brown says he wants to bounce back from their FA Cup exit by picking up three points against Concord Rangers on Saturday.


Both clubs exited The FA Cup in the Fourth Qualifying Round with Canvey Island based Concord Rangers going out to a 3-0 defeat away to Edgar Davids’ Barnet last Saturday.

The Fleet, meanwhile, went down to a 1-0 defeat away to bitter-rivals Dartford in Tuesday night’s replay, following a 1-1 draw at Stonbridge Road last Saturday.

The Darts won the tie courtesy of Elliot Bradbrook’s 54^th minute penalty.

Leading goalscorer Anthony Cook should have equalised for Ebbsfleet but Darts keeper Alan Julian saved his 71^st minute penalty and Bradbrook cracked two ribs after blocking Ben May’s fiercely struck rebound.

Brown admitted he felt “chocked” after going out to local rivals Dartford – but the former Dover Athletic assistant manager wants to bounce back by collecting three points on Saturday.

The Fleet are in ninth-place in the table with 18 points from 13 games – three points adrift of fifth-placed Hayes & Yeading United.

Concord Rangers, meanwhile, who were playing Essex Senior League football only six years ago, arrive at Stonebridge Road in fifteenth-place in the table with 13 points from 11 games.

Ebbsfleet United scout Simon Kidby watched Concord’s FA Cup tie at Barnet last weekend and has reported back to Brown ahead of Saturday’s game.

“I’ve got a scout report coming through of their last game and I will sit down with Steve Gritt and read through that and formulate the best way to try and get three points on Saturday and pick the right side,” said Brown.

“They’ve (Concord) had a little struggle recently and they won’t look forward to coming to Ebbsfleet. We’ve only lost one game there and it’s going to be a tough game for them.

“I’ve got to make sure these players give a performance and an effort level as they have done (on Tuesday night).

“The bottom line is we focus back on the league.  I only ever look at one game at a time. Last Saturday I prepared the players for the FA Cup. On Tuesday I prepared the players for the replay.  Tonight I’ll prepare them for Saturday against Concord and that’s all you can do at this level.  You take it one game at a time, see what you’ve got fit and see how the boys recover and pick them up.

“They’re going to need to be picked up after Tuesday night that’s for sure.”

Visit Ebbsfleet United’s website: www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

Ebbsfleet United  v  Concord Rangers
The Skrill South
Saturday 2^nd November 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Stonebridge Road, Northfleet, Kent DA11 9GN