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Ebbsfleet United vs Chippenham Town
Ebbsfleet United
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Colours: Red
Nickname: The Fleet, The Reds
Founded: 1946
Chippenham Town
Nickname: The Bluebirds
Founded: 1873
This Saturday sees a huge game at the top of the National League South table, as 3rd place Ebbsfleet entertain a Chippenham side that sit one point and one place outside the playoffs.
The hosts from Kent come into this game on the back of a fine run of form winning their last four games on the bounce (against: Welling, Dulwich Hamlet, Concord Rangers and Tonbridge Angels respectively). As well as their impressive recent form The Fleet’s home form throughout the season so far has been eye-catching, with The Reds possessing the 3rd best home record in the division, with 12 wins, two draws and four defeats.
Chippenham’s season so far has been equally impressive with The Bluebirds sat just outside the playoffs. Gary Horgan’s men come into the game following back-to-back wins over Oxford City and Dulwich Hamlet respectively having lost their two previous games against the division’s top two: Maidstone United and Dorking Wanderers. The visitors will also be looking for revenge following a 5-2 loss at the hands of Ebbsfleet in the reverse fixture back in September.
Key Player
Dominic Poleon
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| Poleon has 17 goals so far this campaign. Credit: Twitter/DomPoleon |
A seasoned professional with an abundance of EFL experience, Poleon has been vital for Ebbsfleet so far this season bagging 17 goals for The Fleet; making him the club’s top scorer.
Poleon started his youth career with Essex club Southend United before joining Yorkshire giants Leeds United in 2010. During his time at Elland Road Poleon had loan spells with Bury and Sheffield United before leaving The Whites permanently in 2014 for then League One side Oldham Athletic.
Since then, the 28-year-old has had spells with: AFC Wimbledon, Bradford City, Crawley Town, Newport County and Dover Athletic before the striker joined The Fleet following a successful trial.
Poleon’s goals have been vital for The Reds so far this season and with playoff football on the horizon at the Kuflink Stadium Poleon will need to be in form now more than ever if Ebbsfleet are to make a return to the National League.
Kieran Parselle
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| Parselle scored in the reverse fixture. Credit: Chippenham Town |
Club captain Parselle plays at the heart of the Chippenham defence and provides a great deal for The Bluebirds. As well as being part of a defence that has kept 12 clean sheets so far this term Parselle has also popped up with four goals (one of which came against Ebbsfleet in September and another of which came in Chippenham’s last game against Dulwich Hamlet).
Still only 25 the Bristol born defender came through the youth system at Welsh club Newport County and made a handful of appearances for the Exiles, also enjoying a loan spell at Salisbury City during his time at Rodney Parade. However, things didn’t work out in South Wales and Parselle was released by the club in 2017 and quickly snapped up by Gloucester City.
Following a solid season with Gloucester, Parselle joined Chippenham in the Summer of 2018 and has so far made over 100 appearances for The Bluebirds.
Managers
Dennis Kutrieb
Keith Gillard
Kutrieb began his managerial career in Germany. Credit:
German born Kutrieb was appointed as manager of Ebbsfleet in June 2020 following a successful managerial career in his home country.
Following impressive stints at: VSG Altglienicke and Tennis Borussia Berlin, winning three promotions across his time at both clubs.
These eye-catching achievements led to The Fleet swooping in and appointing the German and his first full season in charge of Ebbsfleet could result in yet another promotion for the 42-year-old provided he can lead The Reds to playoff glory.
Gary Horgan
Horgan has been in charge of Chippenham for three games.
Credit: Chippenham Town
Horgan took the reins in April 2022 as an interim coach until the end of the season following the departure of Mike Cook following a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Maidstone United at the start of the month.
So far in charge the 45-year-old has managed three games winning two and losing one.
As a player Horgan represented a number of clubs in a nomadic career including: Hungerford Town, Swindon Supermarine, Mangotsfield United, Salisbury City, Cirencester Town, Bath City.
Recent Form
Ebbsfleet
4-2 vs Welling (A)
2-1 vs Dulwich Hamlet (H)
2-1 vs Concord Rangers (A)
1-0 vs Tonbridge Angels (A)
Chippenham
1-2 vs Maidstone (H)
0-3 vs Dorking (A)
1-0 vs Oxford City (H)
2-0 vs Dulwich Hamlet (H)
Head-to-Head
Date | Home | Score | Away |
28/09/21 | Chippenham | 2-5 | Ebbsfleet |
15/12/20 | Ebbsfleet | 1-1 | Chippenham |
14/11/20 | Chippenham | 1-2 | Ebbsfleet |
13/10/20 | Ebbsfleet | 1-1 | Chippenham |
My Prediction: Ebbsfleet 2-0 Chippenham
By Nathan Williams
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