York City v Ebbsfleet United
Kick-off 3pm at Kit Kat Crescent
Ebbsfleet United come up against an old friend today, with Michael Gash – Fleet’s top scorer last season - expected to start against them for York City.
Gash netted 13 times for the north Kent club in 2008-09 and manager Liam Daish has struggled to fill the void left by the German-born striker, with Fleet drawing a blank on 13 occasions so far this campaign.
Without a game last Saturday, Daish’s players have been worked hard in training since their 1-0 defeat to Wrexham a fortnight ago and cannot wait to get back into action this afternoon.
He said: “We’ve done a lot of leg work over the last two weeks, we’ve kept the fitness levels high and the players are champing at the bit for this game.
“It’s hard to say whether our freshness will give us an edge. There were encouraging signs against Wrexham and we’ve had a little bit of a break since then.”
Leon Crooks misses the game through suspension, following his sending-off against the Welshmen, while Elliot Charles, who also saw red in the defeat, has returned to Barnet after having his loan spell cut short.
Fleet bolstered their squad in midweek with centre-back Ross Smith re-joining the club after a spell in the United States.
Daish otherwise has no injury concerns ahead of the trip to Yorkshire, but knows York’s spending power makes them a force to be reckoned with.
“They bought our best player (Gash) for £55,000 and put in a bid for (defender) Darius Charles so that shows what their aspirations are,” he said. “I’m expecting a very tough game.”
Since their relegation from the Football League in 2004, the Minstermen have enjoyed mixed fortunes in Blue Square South – reaching the play-offs in 2006-07 but slumping to 17th last season.
They have won their last two matches, with Tuesday night’s 3-2 win at home to Chester City following last Saturday’s FA Cup exploits when they upset League Two Crewe Alexandra by the same scoreline.
POSTED: 14/11/2009 08:00:00
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