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Sport

Ebbsfleet United meet AFC Fylde in a battle of two promoted clubs

By: Steve Tervet

Published: 00:00, 10 August 2017

Two of non-league’s emerging powers clash on Saturday when Ebbsfleet host AFC Fylde.

Both teams were promoted last season, Fylde scoring 109 goals on their way to the National League North title while Fleet finished on 96 points before winning the play-offs.

Fylde have climbed three divisions in seven years and share Fleet’s ambition of reaching the Football League.

Darren McQueen has two goals to his name already Picture: Andy Payton

Both are unbeaten, Fleet having taken four points from their first two games, while the Coasters drew at home to Boreham Wood on Saturday and at Chester in midweek.

"There are similarities (between the clubs)," Ebbsfleet boss Daryl McMahon said. "Their ground’s nice and their pitch is nice.

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"I know we’re here on Saturday but it’s probably a little bit similar to ourselves.

"They amassed over 100 goals last season, they’re coming off the back of two draws and it’ll be an interesting game.

"I watched their game from Saturday against Boreham Wood and they looked good. They passed it well and we’re looking forward to it."

Ebbsfleet still haven’t lost a league game in 2017 and they’re unbeaten at Stonebridge Road since November, a run stretching back 17 games and almost nine months.

McMahon said: "It’s there to be broken as well but we hope to maintain it.

Ebbsfleet manager Daryl McMahon Picture: Andy Payton

"As much as we do like to play, we work hard defensively as well. I know a lot of people talk about Darren McQueen or Danny Kedwell but (centre-half) Sam Magri was unbelievable against Maidstone.

"He’s just a very good footballer. He reads the game well, he’s talented and Nathan Ashmore will go close to being the best goalkeeper in this league."

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Fleet already look like they belong in the National League but McMahon wants to see more improvement.

He said: "I’m delighted with four points. We could have got all three on Saturday but I’m delighted to get four from two tricky games and we go onto Fylde on Saturday which will be tough.

"It’s about evolving. We’re two games in and there’s always going to be something that I’m not happy about or the players aren’t happy about in terms of a game."

Club captain Dave Winfield is a doubt after limping out of the Maidstone game.

Dean Rance (knee) is still a week away while Anthony Cook completes his three-match ban.

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