Ebbsfleet United host Sutton United in a crucial promotion battle
Published: 00:00, 19 April 2018
Stonebridge Road will be rocking on Saturday when Ebbsfleet look to cement their play-off place against promotion rivals Sutton.
Fleet have broken into the National League top-seven for the first time since August on the back of an 11-match unbeaten run.
They've won eight of those, most recently at Eastleigh on Tuesday, a result which lifted them above Dover and Wrexham.
And with a bumper crowd expected on the club's Community Day, the atmosphere this weekend promises to be something special.
"We’re all looking forward to that game," said Fleet boss Daryl McMahon. "I’m sure it’ll be exciting and we’ll have a big crowd again.
"The crowd at Eastleigh were immense again. The noise levels were through the roof and hopefully we give them a good performance on Saturday.
"We’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. I know a few people tipped us to be successful this year but we’ve probably come out of left-field.
"We’ll keep doing what we’re doing. We won’t get carried away and we’ve done nothing yet. We just want to enjoy the games, keep performing well and let’s see where it takes us."
So tight is the promotion race that Ebbsfleet could even climb above fourth-placed Sutton on Saturday.
The U's beat them to the National South title two years ago and now the old rivals prepare to lock horns on the big stage again.
McMahon said: "They’re always tough games against Sutton. We’ve never had an easy one. Physically they’re good and they’ll be well-organised defensively.
"They’ve been a good side for a number of years now. Over the last four or five years, (manager) Paul Doswell has kept a group of players that have been really successful for him.
"But we’re in good form and we’ve got to make sure we’re doing our business. That’s the most important thing for us.
"We can’t affect what Sutton do. We’re aware of their strengths and weaknesses, like we are against every side, but predominantly we’ll be focused on what we’re doing well at the minute.
"We’ve just got to keep doing what we’ve been doing for the last 10 months in the next three games. Hopefully we pick up some results and we’ll see where we finish up."
More than 600 tickets have been given away to local schools and community groups for Saturday's game.
There will be funfair stalls on Community Day and the No Limits Street Band and Knights Academy will both be performing.
Ebbsfleet then go to Gateshead on Tuesday.
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Steve Tervet