This Saturday at 3pm, the Kuflink Stadium hosts a crucial National League clash between relegation-threatened Ebbsfleet United and a mid-table AFC Fylde, both sides needing points for contrasting reasons. Ebbsfleet are desperate to climb out of the relegation zone, while Fylde aim to consolidate their position and move further away from danger.
Ebbsfleet’s recent form is alarming. A 0-0 draw against Forest Green Rovers is their only point in the last five matches, having suffered defeats to Wealdstone (4-2), Tamworth (3-2), Eastleigh (2-0), and Solihull Moors (2-1). They are currently on a worrying 28-match winless run and have conceded the first goal in their last two defeats. Fylde’s form is more mixed. A recent 2-0 home defeat to Braintree Town followed victories against Altrincham (2-1) and Hartlepool United (2-1) and a 1-1 draw with Gateshead. A 2-1 home defeat to Boston United also highlights their inconsistency. They failed to score in their last outing against Braintree.
Previous meetings between these two sides offer little to separate them. Over the last three seasons, each side has recorded a win, a draw, and a loss. Earlier this season, Fylde won 2-0 at home thanks to goals from Charlie Jolley and Jonathan Ustabasi. Last season saw a 1-1 draw at Fylde, with Dominic Poleon scoring for Ebbsfleet and Harry Davis equalising. Ebbsfleet then won the return fixture 2-1, with Ben Chapman’s brace overcoming Gerald McCullion’s late consolation for Fylde.
Ebbsfleet’s perilous league position, 24th with just 14 points from 37 games and a -54 goal difference, highlights their struggles. Fylde, in 20th with 36 points from 35 games and a -25 goal difference, are capable of scoring and conceding.
This match is hugely important. A win for Ebbsfleet would be a massive boost to their survival hopes. For Fylde, victory would solidify their mid-table position and potentially spark a late-season surge up the table. A draw helps neither side.