Match Preview
Concord Rangers vs Ebbsfleet United
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Nickname: The Fleet, The Reds
Founded: 1946
Stadium: Kuflink Stadium (Capacity: 4,769)
Manager: Dennis Kutrieb
This Saturday Concord Rangers return to action as top of the league Ebbsfleet United come to the Aspect Arena looking to maintain their 100% start to the season.
One of the early title favourites the Fleet have brushed aside all opposition so far scoring three goals or more in every game so far this season.
On the other hand, the Beach Boys will be looking for an appropriate response to last weekend's disappointing 5-0 defeat at Oxford City; a result which saw Concord’s unbeaten start to the season come to an end.
If Chris Search’s men are to win it’ll be the Beach Boys’ first win over Ebbsfleet in eight games. Furthermore, the Fleet have won their last five meetings with Concord, with the three most recent all finishing 2-1 to the men from Kent.
Finally, late goals are to be expected this weekend. Ebbsfleet have struck five times within the final ten minutes of games this season and last term a late Greg Cundle strike gave them a 2-1 win over Concord at the Kuflink Stadium.
Key Player
Dominic Poleon
A seasoned professional with an abundance of EFL experience, Poleon was vital for Ebbsfleet last season bagging 17 goals for The Fleet making him the club’s top scorer (one of which came at the Aspect Arena in April).
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 were vital for The Reds last season in helping them achieve playoff football and Ebbsfleet will need him to replicate that form if the Reds are to make a fifth tier return.
So far this season Poleon is the Fleet’s top scorer with three goals.
They’ve Played For Both
Chris Haigh
(Photo: Paul Rafferty)
25-year-old shot stopper Chris Haigh joined Ebbsfleet last summer from Concord, appearing 16 times for the Fleet last term.
Haigh had joined the Beach Boys in 2019 and appeared in goal during the 2020 FA Trophy final; which saw him play a man of the match performance at Wembley.
However, Haigh won’t be between the sticks on Saturday following an injury he picked up at Eastbourne Borough earlier in the season.
Franklin Domi
An Albanian international at youth level, Franklin Domi appeared on loan for both Concord and Ebbsfleet last season from QPR.
His first loan spell was in Essex, making a handful of appearances between November and January, then from April until the season’s end Domi would represent Ebbsfleet.
The 21-year-old re-joined the Fleet permanently this summer but is yet to make an appearance in red and white so far this season.
Greg Cundle
(Photo: Ed Miller)
A third former Beach Boy who is currently registered with the Fleet, Greg Cundle arrived at the Kuflink Stadium in September 2020.
Cundle spent half of the previous year with Concord where he struggled with injury.
The striker came back to haunt the Beach Boys last season, scoring the winner in the Fleet’s 2-1 victory in December.
The 25-year-old is likely to be a threat having already netted twice this term.
Form
Concord Rangers
W – 1-0 vs Hungerford Town (A)
W – 1-0 vs Taunton Town (H)
D – 1-1 vs Dulwich Hamlet (H)
L – 0-5 vs Oxford City (A)
Ebbsfleet United
W – 3-0 vs Chippenham Town (H)
W – 3-2 vs Weymouth (A)
W – 3-2 vs Eastbourne Borough (A)
W – 4-2 vs Farnborough (H)
Head-to-Head
18/04/2022: Concord Rangers 1-2 Ebbsfleet United
11/12/2021: Ebbsfleet United 2-1 Concord Rangers
12/01/2021: Ebbsfleet United 2-1 Concord Rangers
04/02/2017: Ebbsfleet United 4-0 Concord Rangers
09/08/2016: Concord Rangers 0-1 Ebbsfleet United
By Nathan Williams
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