PREVIEW: Ebbsfleet v Luton Town

Ebbsfleet started off the 2012-13 campaign with a remarkable win at newly-promoted Nuneaton, eventually coming out on top 5-4 after trailing 2-0 with just 17 minutes on the clock, writes Mike Simmonds.

Since then though, they suffered a disappointing home reverse to Braintree Town, before an excellent home point against Wrexham, while losing 4-2 at promotion chasing Hereford United on Saturday.

The Fleet enjoyed a more than respectable campaign last year, finishing in 14th place, well clear of relegation, and will do well to equal that finish this time around, with the Conference as competitive as it has ever been.

A number of new signings have been brought in with the most high-profile, controversial striker Moses Ashikodi for his second spell at the club.

Importantly, last year’s top scorer Liam Enver-Marum re-joined after netting 13 league goals last season to earn a trial with League One Stevenage in pre-season. He didn’t enjoy his time at Broadhall Way though and Fleet were quick to re-acquire his services.

Ex-Burton defender Patrick Ada and Brentford full back Ryan Blake joined up too, as did former Dagenham & Redbridge striker/defender Phil Walsh, while Welling winger Ben Greehalgh signed and a new deal was handed to Adam Williams.

Chris Henry, Derek Duncan and Ricky Shakes have all left, while Michael West, who scored twice against Luton last season, moved to League One Crewe Alexandra in the summer too.

Hatters have never lost at Ebbsfleet, drawing 2-2 last season, while winning 6-1 in their other visit when despite trailing at half time to Janos Kovacs’ own goal, saw Claude Gnakpa blast a hat-trick, while Kevin Gallen, Tom Craddock and Matthew Barnes-Homer all scored too.

Team news: Captain Ronnie Henry starts the first game of his three match suspension for a red card against AFC Telford, while Janos Kovacs is also out with a groin strain.

Hatters will be without Danny Spiller (achilles) and Garry Richards (ankle) for lengthy periods, while James Dance is out too.

For the hosts, Ram Marwa (broken kneecap) and Giannoulis Fakinos (knee) are nearing a return but both are short of match fitness, while Patrick Ada recently won his suspension appeal for a red card against Braintree Town.

In charge: Liam Daish – Tough tackling centre half who started his career at Portsmouth before making his name at Cambridge United.

His form at the Abbey saw Barry Fry shell out £50,000 to take him to Birmingham and then earn a £1.5million move to Coventry, but a severe knee ligament injury saw him play just 34 times in four seasons and he was forced to retire from the pro game, with just a handful of international caps for Republic of Ireland under his belt.

Moved to Havant & Waterlooville where he played over 150 times for the club, eventually becoming joint manager with Mick Jenkins.

Left to become coach at Welling United as a coach and then caretaker manager, but joined Gravesend & Northfleet as number one in 2005, with the side becoming Ebbsfleet in May 2007.

View from the opposition: Boss Liam Daish: “Luton have got big players having signed Jon Shaw from Gateshead and the likes of Scott Rendell and Stuart Fleetwood as well.

“They went close last year and you have got to take your hat off to them because they are making every effort to get out of the league again. I am sure they will be there or thereabouts.”

One to watch: Moses Ashikodi - Striker who has enjoyed a chequered career to date, never really settling in one place.

After beginning his career at Millwall, he has played for likes of Gillingham, Rangers, Watford, Bradford, Swindon, Hereford and Shrewsbury, before dropping into non-league with spells at Kettering, Ebbsfleet, York City and has now returned to Ebbsfleet.

Was prolific in his first spell with the Kent club, scoring 11 in 16 league games back in 2010 and has two in four already this time around.

Top BSBP scorer: Hatters – Stuart Fleetwood (4). Fleet – Tom Phipp, Liam Enver-Marum, Moses Ashikodi (2).

Friendly faces: Nathan Elder - Well travelled striker who was on trial with Luton during pre-season last year, scoring in the friendly against Gabala, but wasn’t offered a deal at the club.

Began his career in non-league, before getting his chance at Brighton and was then sold to Brentford for £35,000.

Has never been a prolific goalscorer during his time at the Bees, or Shrewsbury Town, AFC Wimbledon, Hayes & Yeading and Hereford, before agreeing to sign for Fleet at the start of the season, and got off the mark in the 5-4 win at Nuneaton.

Last time out: As was so often last year, Luton let a lead slip on their travels as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Stonebridge Road.

Amari Morgan-Smith and James Dance had put the visitors 2-0 ahead with just 19 minutes remaining, but Michael West netted on 77 and 90 minutes to ensure the hosts came away with a point.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, George Pilkington, Curtis Osano, Jamie Hand, Janos Kovacs, Robbie Willmott, Shane Blackett, James Dance, Paul Carden, Amari Morgan-Smith (Adam Watkins 84), Aaron O’Connor (Stuart Fleetwood 66).

Attendance: 1,651.

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