Ebbsfleet United target 1,200 fans for early kick-off

Ebbsfleet United lost their sixth match unbeaten run on Tuesday night, going down by two goals to nil in Hampshire against Aldershot Town in front of 2,399 fans, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Fleet welcome Droylsden for the very first time to Stonebridge Road on Saturday (1pm) in the Blue Square Premier, and club officials would dearly like to see crowds like that watch the Kent side in action.

Ebbsfleet United defeated league leaders Torquay United 2-1 last Saturday, in front of their highest crowd of the season so far - 1,368 - and the club are emailing posters to fans in a bid to boost crowd figures.

“I am sure you will agree that last weekend’s performance from the team was up there with the best in recent seasons and the crowd numbers were where we need them to be week in week out,” club secretary Roly Edwards told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

He added: “Please bring a friend on Saturday and let us once again try to achieve a crowd around the 1,200 mark.

Meanwhile, Fleet defender James Smith, who has been sidelined for more than a month following a double hernia operation, is back in action and staking a claim for a return to the first-team squad.

Smith completed his first full training session this week and is quoted by club physic Paul Wilson as “very close” to a return.

Striker Chukki Eribenne, who limped off with a hamstring injury in their recent 1-0 win over Crawley Town, also hopes to feature in a full training session by the end of the week.

Having stepped up the final stages of his rehab programme with jogging and a workout on a rehab strength circuit, he is on course to feature in Liam Daish’s plans once again.

Long-term injury victim Gary MacDonald is also back on his feet, having begun a light jogging programme to tie in with the early stages of his rehabilitation.

The news isn't quite so good for Danny Slatter who has suffered a slight setback in his recovery process and now has a suspected cartilage tear around his knee. He will need the same keyhole surgery that Mark Ricketts underwent on his knee recently.

This will keep the former Welling midfielder sidelined for at least another two to three weeks.

Admission prices are £13 (adults), £7 (concessions).

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

Ebbsfleet United v Droylsden
Blue Square Premier
Saturday 13^th October 2007
Kick Off 1:00pm
At Stonebridge Road, Northfleet, Kent, DA11 9BA