Arguably the lowest point of Sutton’s run of poor results in the autumn was the home defeat against Ebbsfleet, when Gozie Ugwu’s penalty ten minutes in to stoppage time enabled the Kent side to leave Gander Green Lane with a 3-2 win, lifting them off the bottom of the table and dropping U’s in to the bottom four.
Tomorrow U’s will seek to make up for that disappointment, having enjoyed an upturn in form since that October afternoon and going in to the game in 15th place, but in terms of points closer to the play-offs than the relegation zone. Meanwhile Ebbsfleet have remained in the lower reaches of the table, and Tuesday night’s victory against Woking, when substitute Tobi Adeloye scored twice to see Fleet come from behind to win 2-1, was their first in the league since the end of November, and while they now have a four point cushion over bottom of the table Chorley they are seven points behind 20th placed Dagenham & Redbridge.
Until two seasons ago U’s had a wretched record at Stonebridge Road but have turned that around with consecutive 1-0 wins. The scorer of the only goal last season, Craig Eastmond (above, beating Nathan Ashmore), serves the third game of his four match ban, but Ebbsfleet also have an influential player suspended in Josh Payne, whose spectacular volley provided one of their goals at Sutton in October. Andre Blackman should return from a ban and Myles Weston could feature after injury but Jack King is a doubt and Michael Timlin, recently signed on loan, is still the subject of an embargo. Fleet do have several recent signings, though, with goalkeeper David Gregory and midfielder Adam Mekki added to the squad.
We will have commentary on the game through our Mixlr channel as usual. The game is not segregated and Sutton supporters are welcome in the club bar. Those driving to the game are advised to use Car Park C at Ebbsfleet International Station, about ten minutes’ walk from the ground and costing £3, rather than try and park at or near the ground.
