BACKING THE FLEET TO WEMBLEY GLORY: Support us and we’ll do Fleet fans proud, says Barrett

WEMBLEY WINNER Neil Barrett has urged the as many fans as possible to make the trip to Stevenage Borough tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.

FA Trophy holders Ebbsfleet United travel to Broadhall Way to try and end Stevenage Borough’s nineteen-match unbeaten run in the first leg of the semi-final.

And Barrett, who tasted Wembley glory with the Fleet last May, knows all about two-legged semi-finals.

Aldershot Town, who went on to clinch the Blue Square Premier title, were beaten 3-1 at Stonebridge Road last season before the Fleet held the Shots to a 1-1 draw at the Recreation Ground, with Michael Bostwick thumping home a dramatic late leveller.

Bostwick now plays for Stevenage, and Barrett, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk following the Fleet’s impressive 2-1 home win over league leaders Burton Albion, is looking forward to the two make-or-break semi-final ties.

“We’re looking forward to it now,” he said. “It’s nice to get the Burton game out of the way, a good win and now we’ll prepare right and hopefully get a result at Stevenage away on Saturday.”

Barrett believes last season’s experiences will stand them in good stead as they bid to knock out Graham Westley’s side to return to Wembley Stadium.

Reflecting on those two games against Aldershot, Barrett said, “They were two fantastic days, we got a good result here (at Stonebridge Road) and obviously going to the league leaders at the time 3-1 (up from the first leg) was good, but we knew going to their place was going to be tough.

“Aldershot scored after about an hour and then it was tense the last half an hour.”

Barrett added, “These are the games you want to play in. They’re good games and Stevenage are going to be really tough.

“Their manager there has got them going well, they’re on a good run themselves, so if we can play we know we can, then I’m sure we’ll give them a good game.”

Fleet fans descended on Aldershot in their hundreds last season, and Barrett expects the same at Broadhall Way tomorrow.

“Hopefully we can take a few fans there on Saturday like they came last year against Aldershot and hopefully we can do them proud and get a result,” he added.

COVERAGE

BBC Radio Kent will be proving radio and website commentary of the game with Charles Webster and Stephen McCartney on 96.7fm and 104.2fm and the website www.bbc.co.uk/kent

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will not be updated during the course of the game, but the report and reaction will follow over the course of the weekend.

Visit Stevenage Borough’s website: www.stevenageborofc.com

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

Stevenage Borough v Ebbsfleet United
FA Carlsberg Trophy Semi-Final First Leg
Saturday 14^th March 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Lamex Stadium, Broadhall Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG2 8RH