Ebbsfleet United take a short break
from League action this Saturday as they host Gloucester City in the
FA Trophy. The Tigers are currently bottom of the Skrill North with
ten points from sixteen games. The Fleet's 2-1 victory away at Hayes
and Yeading midweek moved them up to third in the Skrill South.
Let's take a look at our visitors...
Gloucester City
Founded – 1883
(as Gloucester FC)
Nickname – the
Tigers
Stadium – Whaddon
Road (groundshare with Cheltenham Town FC)
Manager – David
Mehew
Captain – Matt
Coupe
Last season's finish - 11th
Current position - 22nd
Gloucester FC
were founded on March 5, 1883 but did not play their first
competitive match under 1889; a 10-0 victory over Clifton
Association Reserves in the FA Junior Challenge Cup.
Changed name
to Gloucester City in 1925 and turned semi-professional in the
1934/35 season after a league (Gloucestershire Northern Senior
League) and cup double. City joined the Birmingham Combination
League and moved into a new stadium in Longlevens.
Reg Weaver
(former Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers) destroyed previous
goalscoring records in the 1937/38 season when he hammered home 67
goals! He went on to score a very respectable 103 goals in 84
appearances for the Club.
The Club
joined the Southern League structure in 1939 where they would remain
for the next 70 years.
Reached the
FA Cup first round in three consecutive seasons from 48-51, losing
to Mansfield Town, Norwich City and Bristol City on each occasion.
The following
season, the record attendance at Longlevens was set. Tottenham
Hotspur were the visitors and 10,500 spectators saw City beat their
much higher opponents 2-1.
The 1955/56
season saw City's first taste of success in the Southern League when
they beat Yeovil Town in the Southern League Cup final.
Astonishingly, it all looked over for City as they lost 4-1 in the
first leg but fortunately for them they put on a show in the second
leg to win 6-5 on aggregate.
Moved to
Horton Park in 1964 to be closer to the centre of Gloucester. At the
time, Horton Park could hold over 30,000 spectators!
The Club
clinched promotion to the Premier Division of the Southern League in
the 1981/82 season after a sixth placed finish and were runners up
in the League Club. City lost 2-1 in the final to Wealdstone, a side
that featured Stuart Pearce.
The Club yet
again moved grounds in 1986, this time to Meadow Park in the
Hempstead area. Horton Road became a housing estate and some of the
roads were named after City legends: (Stan) Myers Road, (Dicky)
Etheridge Place and (Ron) Coltman Close.
After
spending three seasons in the Midland Division, City finally won
promotion in the 1988/89 season when former Aston Villa player and
Wales International Brian Godfrey was appointed manager. City won
the League away at Kings Lynn in the penultimate game of the season.
The following
season, the Tigers enjoyed their best ever FA Cup run; they lost in
a second round replay at home to Cardiff City.
The
winter of 1990 was harsh to Gloucester City as Gloucester's worst
snow in a century which caused flooding in the local areas once it
had thawed. The Meadow Park pitch was under four feet of water and
the pitch was out of action for a month. When the Tigers returned to
Meadow Park, they beat Gosport Borough 9-0.
 |
| Meadow Park under eight feet of water. |
There was
more Meadow Park heartbreak for the Club in 2007 when floods were
destroying parts of Britain. Unfortunately for the Tigers, their
stadium was destroyed as the pitch lay under eight feet of water.
The Club have been playing away from home since.
Despite the
devastation, the Tigers managed to secure promotion to the
Conference North in 2009, beating Farnborough FC 1-0 in the Southern
League Premier play-off final. This was to be the first time the
Tigers have ever played at this level.
The Club have
played at Cheltenham Town's Whaddon Road since 2010 after having
brief spells at The New Lawn (Forest Green Rovers) and The Corinium
Stadium (Cirencester Town).
The Squad
Goalkeepers – Mike
Green, Steve Sparrow, Nathan Phillips
Defenders – Michael
Green, Matt Coupe, Jack Harris, Sam Rawlings, Ryan Batten, Danny
Haile, Kirtys McKenzie (on loan from Torquay United)
Midfielders -
Tom Webb, Sam Turl, Matt Groves, Lewis Hogg, Darren Mullings, Matt
Liddiard, Jordan Goddard (on loan from Bristol Rovers), Zack Kotwica
(on loan from Cheltenham Town)
Attackers -
Will Morford, Darren Edwards, Scott Wilson, Joe Parker (on loan from
Newport County), Connnor Waldon (on loan from Swindon Town)
Tom Webb has
made over 500 appearances for the Gloucestershire outfit. Webb, 29,
joined the Club in 2001 and, remarkably, played every single minute
of every match during the 2004/05 campaign. At just 29 years of age,
if he stays with the Tigers, he could end up making over 700
appearances for them!
One to watch
Darren
Mullings. The box to box midfielder has been influential in the three
years he's spent with the Tigers and certainly has an eye for goal,
scoring over 20 goals in his time at Whaddon Road. Joe Parker is the
'future star' in this side. The 18 year old has already scored an FA
Cup hat-trick (v Yate Town) and has been snapped up by a
Football-League Club. Newport County of League Two pounced to secure
his signature last week but have allowed him to spend the rest of the
season on loan at the Tigers. One City fan had this to say: “Joe
Parker is a great prospect, but , although scoring an FA Cup hat
trick and signing for Newport, has yet to truly become a first team
regular.''
Team
News
Lewis
Hogg could be the only casualty for Saturday's clash.
The
Form Guide
Other
than a run in the FA Cup, it's been a season to forget for the Tigers
so far. Rooted to the bottom of the table with just two victories in
sixteen games isn't what fans were forecasting in pre-season. When
asked about expectations and the season so far, Gloucester fan
DaveAngel had this to say: “Awful,
apart from the Cups. Bottom, and I expected mid table. I'm confident
we will start climbing the table soon... Ish.
“
The
Tigers have lost ten games in the League so far this season,
conceding 36 goals in the process.
Of
course, the cup's have been fairly kind to them as they made it to
the first round proper of the FA Cup, losing 2-0 to League Two outfit
Fleetwood Town. The Tigers beat Skrill South side Boreham Wood to set
up this tie with the Fleet.
Last
five matches
Vauxhall
Motors 3-2 Gloucester City – Skrill North
Boreham
Wood 0-1 Gloucester City – FA Trophy
Gloucester
City 2-3 Colwyn Bay – Skrill North
Gloucester
City 0-2 Fleetwood Town – FA Cup
Bradford
Park Avenue 3-1 Gloucester City – Skrill North
LWLLL
Goals
– 6
Conceded
– 11
GD:
- 5
Last
time out
Vauxhall
Motors 3-2 Gloucester City
Despite
a dominating second half performance, the Tigers were handed yet
another defeat in the Skrill North as Karl Clair's 87th
minute free kick gave Vauxhall Motors all three points.
Stephen
Tames put the hosts a goal up with 14 minutes gone but Darren Edwards
equalised with 27 minutes on the clock. Just two minutes later Louis
Barnes put Vauxhall back in front. The lead, once again, didn't last
too long as Darren Mullings equalised five minutes later.
Mullings
himself had a great chance in the second half, along with loan
signings Connor Waldon and Kyrtys MacKenzie and Jack Harris but City
hearts were broken with three left.
When
you're stuck near the bottom of the table, nothing seems to go your
way and Clair stepped up and produced a stunning free kick to send
City to the bottom of the table.
Attendance:
147
 |
| The View from the Meadow Park dugout now. |
Previous
FA Trophy campaigns
The
FA Trophy hasn't really been kind to Gloucester over the years. The
Club has only reached the Quarter final twice and they've only
reached the semi-final once.
1996/97
was Gloucester City's memory campaign.
The
Tigers were just 90 minutes from a Wembley final, but Dagenham and
Redbridge beat them 2-1 at Slough Town to progress. The Daggers went
onto lose 1-0 in the final to Woking, the last of the Cards' three FA
Trophy victories.
It
started way back in the third qualifying round with a 3-1 victory at
home to Kingstonian. The Tigers then went on to beat Yeading, Halifax
Town, Runcorn and Bishop Auckland before falling at the last hurdle.
Gloucester's
last FA Trophy campaign (2012/13) was ended at the first hurdle
thanks to a 1-0 defeat at home to Maidenhead United.
Ebbsfleet
United
Squad
Goalkeepers
– Preston
Edwards, Brendan Hall
Defenders
– Chris
Sessegnon, Joe Howe, Aiden Palmer, Osei Sankofa, Grant Basey, Paul
Lorraine, Shane Huke
Midfielders
– Tom
Phipp (on loan at Maidstone), Giannoulis Fakinos (on dual-reg at
Margate), Dominic Green, Anthony Cook, Stacy Long, Dean Rance, Daryl
McMahon, Michael Corcoran
Attackers
– Billy
Bricknell, Ben May, Michael Thalassitis (on loan from Stevenage),
Alex Osborn (on loan from Dagenham)
One
to watch
Michael
Thalassitis. The striker has started the last three games and has
shone in each one. His presence up top proves vital as he makes a
nuisance of himself running at defenders and winning balls in the
air. The Cypriot U21 international chases down everything. He doesn't
score many, but he's vital to the team all the same.
Team
news
Ben
May (shoulder) looks set to miss out, but Steve Brown should have a
near full squad to choose from.
The
Form Guide
The
Fleet continued their rise up the Skrill South table thanks to a 2-1
victory over Hayes and Yeading. The Fleet are now five unbeaten in
all competitions. Manager Steve Brown has said that he and the squad
are taking every competition seriously, and this tie has given them a
perfect opportunity to progress. The Fleet beat Skrill South table
toppers Bromley to set up this tie.
Last
five matches
Hayes
and Yeading 1-2 Ebbsfleet United – Skrill South
Ebbsfleet
United 1-0 Basingstoke Town – Skrill South
Tunbridge
Wells 1-3 Ebbsfleet United – Kent Senior Cup
Ebbsfleet
United 4-1 Bromley – FA Trophy
Ebbsfleet
United 4-0 Concord Rangers – Skrill South
Last
time out
Hayes
and Yeading 1-2 Ebbsfleet United
A
two minute turnaround in the second half gave the Fleet three vital
points at Kingfield Stadium with Stacy Long being the master behind
it.
Jake
Reid put the hosts up midway through the first half and the Fleet
were lucky to go in at the break only one behind. Geoff Mitchell,
Anthony Furlonge and Luke Williams were all close to scoring.
The
Fleet upped the ante in the second half, with Michael Thalassitis,
Alex Osborn and substitute Billy Bricknell all going close before the
goals came.
Stacy
Long was introduced from the bench in place of Daryl McMahon and
within six minutes the Fleet were ahead. The Fleet hero firstly
blocked a goalbound Anthony Cook effort, turned and struck into the
bottom corner before sending a free-kick over that Mitchell turned
into his own net. The travelling contingent were delighted but, more
importantly, relieved!
Attendance:
139
Previous
FA Trophy campaigns
Up
until the 2004/05 season, the Fleet had never even made it to the
quarter final stage of the tournament, losing out early on most of
the time.
The
boys in red beat Eastbourne Borough, Histon and Slough Town before
falling to Bishop's Stortford. Just two seasons later the Fleet made
the QF again.
The
Fleet lost at home to AFC Wimbledon in round two but the Wombles were
removed for fielding an ineligible player. Gravesend and Northfleet,
as they were at the time, went on to beat Rushden and Diamonds in the
next round before losing to Northwich Victoria.
After
changing their name to Ebbsfleet United before the 2007/08 season,
the Fleet had a little success in the FA Trophy.
That
very season was the FA Trophy winning season. The Fleet eliminated
Carshalton Athletic, Dorchester Town, Weymouth and Burton Albion to
set up a two-legged semi-final with runaway Conference Premier
leaders Aldershot Town. With the first leg at Stonebridge Road the
Fleet knew they needed to achieve a lead to take to the Recreation
Ground the following Saturday, and they did just that! Two penalties
from Chris McPhee and a second half header from captain Paul McCarthy
gave the Fleet a 3-1 lead.
With
large travelling support backing them at the away game, a last gasp
Michael Bostwick goal tied the game at 1-1 (4-2 on aggregate) and
sent the Fleet to Wembley for the first time in their history.
It
was a special occasion and with 26,000+ Fleet fans in attendance,
McPhee scored the only goal of the game, against his former Club, to
make sure the Fleet were victorious.
The
following season the Fleet yet again had an FA Trophy run, but fell
at the semi-final stage after a 4-2 aggregate loss to Stevenage.
The
Fleet's last FA Trophy campaign (2012/13) saw them lose in the first
round, 1-0, at home to Hereford.
We've
met before
The
Fleet and Gloucester were regular opponents back in the Southern
League days, before the Fleet's switch to the Isthmian League. This
meeting on Saturday is to be the first Cup meeting between the sides.
The
two clubs have met 54 times over the years, with Gloucester leading
the head-to-head by quite some distance!
Fleet
wins: 12
Gloucester
wins: 29
Draws:
13
Fleet
goals: 67
Gloucester
goals: 108
First
meeting – Gloucester City 1-6
Gravesend and Northfleet – 12.10.1946
Last
meeting – Gloucester City 3-1
Gravesend and Northfleet – 19.04.1997
Biggest
victory margin – Gloucester
City 7-0 Gravesend and Northfleet – 14.10.1950
Last
five meetings
Gloucester
City 3-1 Gravesend and Northfleet – Southern League Premier –
19.04.1997
Gravesend
and Northfleet 2-3 Gloucester City – Southern League Premier –
22.02.1997
Gravesend
and Northfleet 0-0 Gloucester City – Southern League Premier –
26.03.1996
Gloucester
City 3-1 Gravesend and Northfleet – Southern League Premier –
02.09.1995
Gravesend
and Northfleet 1-0 Gloucester City – Southern League Premier –
15.11.1994
Who's
your money with?
Ladbrokes
have the Fleet favourites at 1
/ 2 with Gloucester at 9/2. A draw for this match sees odds of 3/1.
Bet
Victor have pretty much the
same odds. The Fleet are 1 / 2 and Gloucester are 9/2. A draw is
33/10.
Predictions:
Tigers
fan Dave Angel gave a brief prediction ahead of Saturday's game...
“Hard
one. We really need to work on staying up. But I can't want to lose,
so I want to win convincingly and give us confidence for our next
league game.
I'd
say Gravesend and Northfleet will win 3-0 though. They're called what
now?''
I'm
not normally one for predicting, but I will this time. 3-1 home win
with a crowd of 831. 50 or so from Cheltenham Gloucester.
If
you're able to attend the match then admission prices are the same as
normal league games...
Adults
- £10
Concessions
- £8
Under
16s - £5
Under
12s – FREE
with an adult.
If
you're unable to attend the game then follow @EUFCofficial,
@FleetAdventures or @GCAFCOfficial for live match updates and post
match reaction.
Enjoy
the game.
COME
ON YOU REDS!
