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Sport

Ebbsfleet United boss Daryl McMahon on their Christmas and New Year fixtures

By: Steve Tervet

Published: 00:00, 21 December 2017

Manager Daryl McMahon has urged Ebbsfleet to make the most of home comforts over the Christmas and New Year period.

Fleet host Bromley on Boxing Day and Dagenham next Saturday before making the short trip to Hayes Lane for a televised derby on New Year’s Day.

Then comes the visit of Chester and a clash with Maidstone before another home game, at home to Evo-Stik Premier Warrington in the FA Trophy.

Ebbsfleet boss Daryl McMahon Picture: Andy Payton

Poised four points outside the National League play-offs, Fleet know a good run of results would almost certainly see them climb into the top seven.

McMahon said: “I think the fixtures have been good to us. We don’t leave Kent for five games and we’ve got to take advantage of that, especially three home games when our home form’s been good.

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“It’s important, going into these next four or five matches, that we really pick up some points and see where we are after Christmas.

“You can almost get a quarter of your points in two weeks. It’s a massive time and there’s always strange results as well, so hopefully we can be consistent through this period.”

Before those games comes a 500-mile round-trip to AFC Fylde on Saturday with Fleet looking to score on their travels for the first time in six matches.

Fylde, champions of National League North last season, drew 3-3 at Stonebridge Road in August and recently took Wigan to an FA Cup replay. They’re down in 17th but have games in hand over all their rivals.

McMahon said: “I like Fylde, they’re a really good side. They play terrific football and they’ve got two or three of the top players in the division.

Action from Ebbsfleet's 3-3 draw with AFC Fylde in August Picture: Andy Payton

“I like Lewis Montrose and Sam Finley in midfield, they’re two excellent players and the striker, Danny Rowe, is outstanding. At this level, there aren’t many better than him.”

Ebbsfleet, who are travelling by train on Saturday morning, have no fresh injury concerns following the 2-1 FA Trophy win over Eastleigh last weekend.

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Bradley Bubb and Febian Brandy were both due to train this week although Jack Payne (knee) is still being eased back from an extended lay-off.

Fleet forward Darren McQueen is a small step closer to returning after his leg brace was removed this week.

McMahon confirmed he was still in the market for a new striker.

He said: “It’s something we could definitely carry if the right player becomes available but we’re all constrained by the financial situation to bring players in and there’s been no-one yet that we can get hold of.”

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