BACKING THE FLEET TO WEMBLEY GLORY: DAISH CALLS UPON THE 12th MAN

EBBSFLEET UNITED boss Liam Daish has issued a rallying cry ahead of Saturday’s make-or-break FA Carlsberg Trophy clash with Stevenage Borough, writes Stephen McCartney.

Holders Fleet go into the semi-final second leg showdown just a goal down, having lost 3-2 at Broadhall Way last weekend.

All seemed to be lost during a poor first half performance last weekend, as Stevenage romped into a 2-0 lead, through Steve Morrison and Lee Boylan.

But a rousing second half performance from the Kent side ensured they fought back through brave heart Neil Barrett and Stacy Long, before Stevenage’s David Bridges headed home the winner.

But everything is still to play for at Stonebridge Road - the Fleet are just one goal down - and with away goals NOT counting, the Fleet boss urges fans to fill up the ground in Northfleet and give partisan support to see his side through to Wembley Stadium.

Daish says getting through the semi-final is worth £300,000 to his club - and he wants Fleet fans - and Kent football fans - to back his side to glory.

“The game’s alive, let’s have a great atmosphere, a partisan crowd, let’s make it really noisy and intimidating,” Daish told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“We’re still ninety minutes away from Wembley and possibly more (with extra time), but we’re ninety minutes (and it’s) still all to play for.

“At half-time (at Broadhall Way), you wouldn’t have envisaged that.”

Although Stevenage Borough didn’t give out the official away following figures, an estimated 1,000 fans travelled up to Kent for last week’s first leg.

And Daish, whose side booked their place in the last four of the Setanta Shield with a 2-1 win at Crawley Town in midweek, where they meet Forest Green Rovers at Stonebridge Road on Thursday 26 March, wants fans to fill Stonebridge Road up to the rafters on Saturday and give all-round support on what is going to be an emotional day in one way or another.

“They were fantastic, they got right behind the lads and I’m just sorry they didn’t go home with us being on level terms,” said Daish.

“I think the lads showed, second half, a bit of pride for their club and the people that came, and got us into the tie, as I say, it’s still alive.

“We’ve kept the dream alive and hopefully at home will use our home advantage.

“But Stevenage are still the favourites, they’re 3-2 up.”

COVERAGE

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be providing LIVE UPDATES from Stonebridge Road.

BBC Radio Kent will be providing LIVE COVERAGE on 96.7fm and 104.6fm and on www.bbc.co.uk/kent

Visit Ebbsfleet United’s website: www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

Ebbsfleet United v Stevenage Borough
FA Carlsberg Trophy Semi-Final Second Leg
Saturday 21^st March 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Stonebridge Road, Northfleet, Kent DA11 9GN