The Bees are back in league action this weekend when they travel to Kent to face Ebbsfleet United on Saturday.
John Still’s men go into the game off the back of another Emirates FA Cup victory. National League North side Stockport County travelled to The Hive London as the Bees booked their place in Round Three for the first time in a decade, winning 1-0. Dan Sparkes bagged the only goal of the game on seven minutes, heading in a Cheye Alexander cross.
Last Meeting:
The last time these two sides met was earlier on in the season, the Bees falling to a 3-0 home defeat back in August.
Danny Kedwell opened the scoring just before half-time with a very well-taken finish before Corey Whitely made it two on 66 minutes. Sean Shields then made sure of the three points from close range with two minutes of normal time remaining.
Manager: Garry Hill
Garry Hill was only appointed Ebbsfleet manager at the start of November and is yet to taste defeat in the league since arriving at Stonebridge Road.
The 59-year-old began his managerial career at Heybridge Swifts, winning promotion to the Isthmian Premier and taking them to the FA Cup first round for the first time.
He moved to St Albans City in 1999 before making the switch to Dagenham & Redbridge where he really made a name for himself. He guided the side to Isthmian Premier League title glory in his debut season before finishing in the Conference play-off final a few years later, losing out on promotion to Doncaster.
Hill then went on to manage Hornchurch in 2004 before moving to Weymouth the following year. Rushden & Diamonds was his next destination in 2007 but resigned from his post two years later.
Before Ebbsfleet, he took charge of Woking in 2011, achieving a Conference South play-off finish in his first season at the helm but missed out on promotion. However, he went one better the following season, topping the division to lift his side into the Conference Premier. Hill left Woking after six years in May 2017 before returning to management with Ebbsfleet over a year later.
One to Watch: Danny Kedwell
Danny Kedwell has bagged eight goals this season, including one against Barnet in August, becoming Ebbsfleet’s goal machine this campaign and will undoubtedly be on the hunt for more tomorrow.
The former EFL striker has bagged over 50 goals in over 160 appearances for the Fleet which is unsurprising considering he has always had an eye for goal, no matter what level.
Before his move to the Conference South with his current club, he was rustling the net in Leagues One and Two for Gillingham. In over 136 appearances for the Gills, he found his name on the score-
sheet 45 times. This added to his 40-plus goals for Welling United, 15 at Grays Athletic and an impressive 67 in three seasons for AFC Wimbledon.
Recent League Form:
Sitting 10th, five points off the top seven, a play-off place is very much in Ebbsfleet’s grasp again this season.
The Fleet have picked up three wins in their last five league games, drawing the other two. A 1-0 home victory over Barrow was followed up by a goalless draw away at Boreham Wood. However, they returned to winning ways in some style, thrashing Halifax Town 4-0. The points were shared in their next encounter though, drawing 1-1 away at Maidenhead United. They will go into tomorrow’s game in high spirits after beating Aldershot 2-0 in their most recent fixture.
As for their home league form, The Fleet have only managed to clinch three wins in their 11 matches in Kent.
They have also bagged 28 goals this season, five more than Barnet. Up the other end of the field, they have conceded 24, only one less than the Bees.
Last 5 league games: WDWDW
Connections:
Ebbsfleet’s new Assistant Manager is Ian Hendon. Appointed to the role last month, Hendon is obviously no stranger to Barnet fans having captained the Bees to the Conference title in 2004/05. He made over 140 appearances for the Black and Amber and later became manager. His departure in April 2010 brought to an end a 7-year spell at Underhill. He also has had managerial experience at Dover Athletic, Leyton Orient and was a First Team Coach at West Ham United.
