By Brad Saxton | Image by Adam Davy
Ahead of our return to the LNER Community Stadium this weekend, we take a look at our next opponents, Ebbsfleet United.
Last season’s National League South Champions have found life back in Non-League’s top-tier hard so far this campaign, as they currently sit in the relegation zone.
Despite not being that far off the Minstermen in the league table, they’ve struggled in recent months as they look to build on last season’s promotion.
After beating the Minstermen 4-1 at the Kuflink Stadium at the start of September, they’ve only won two of their last 20 games in all competitions, which has even seen them exit both the Emirates FA Cup and Isuzu FA Trophy to Slough Town and Bishop’s Stortford respectively in recent weeks.
Despite this recent run of disappointing form, the two wins that Ebbsfleet have recorded came as impressive results against Boreham Wood at home (3-1) and more recently, a comprehensive victory on the road at Oldham Athletic (4-1).
Manager: Dennis Kutrieb
The 44-year-old recently signed a new contract with Ebbsfleet United which saw him extend his stay with the club until 2026 following their recent promotion back to the Vanarama National League.
Prior to winning promotion last season, he guided them to a 3rd place finish in the National League South during the previous campaign.
Kutrieb joined The Fleet in 2020 during the Coronavirus pandemic, having previously managed the likes of TUS Makkabi Berlin, VSG Altglienicke and Tennis Borussia Berlin in Germany.
Top Scorer: Dominic Poleon
The 30-year-old forward has been a prolific finisher in front of goal over recent seasons for The Fleet.
After joining the club in the 2021/22 season, he netted 17 goals in 44 league appearances, before going even better in his second season as he netted 37 goals in 46 National League South games last season.
Since helping his side to promotion, his goalscoring record hasn’t stopped there as he’s continued to find the back of the net, having netted 10 goals in 17 league games so far this season.
One we Know: Luke O’Neill
At 32-years of age, the right-back is someone York City fans may remember from his previous loan spell with the club.
Whilst it was only for three months during the 2013/14 season, O’Neill joined the Minstermen on loan from Burnley and netted one goal in sixteen appearances, which came in a 2-2 draw against Chesterfield at the Technique Stadium.
Since his spell with the Minstermen, he had further loan spells with the likes of Scunthorpe United and Leyton Orient, before going on to spend lengthy spells with the likes of Southend United, Gillingham and AFC Wimbledon.
O’Neill joined Ebbsfleet United in the summer of 2022 and he’s been a regular feature for them at full-back ever-since, but hasn’t featured for Ebbsfleet since their 2-0 defeat against Kidderminster Harriers on the 2nd December.
Head-to-Head
This weekend’s game will be the second meeting this season between the two sides, after the Minstermen crashed to a 4-1 defeat to Ebbsfleet United in September.
Prior to that game, the last meeting between the two sides in the National League came on the 21st January 2012, where goals from Matty Blair (2) and James Meredith helped ten-man City to a 3-2 win at Bootham Crescent.