Braveheart Barrett ruled out for rest of the season

BRAVEHEART Ebbsfleet United midfielder Neil Barrett has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a fractured jaw and depressed cheekbone in the first leg of the FA Carlsberg Trophy Semi-Final against Stevenage Borough on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The injury was sustained when he scored The Fleet’s first goal, which resulted in him being stretchered from the field and having to endure a four-hour operation the next day.

Fleet boss Liam Daish, speaking to www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk today, admitted losing two key players in recent Trophy ties are big blows.

“I feel terribly gutted for Neil,” he said. “It was a nasty injury and my first concern was just for the general welfare of the lad.

“Losing Neil and Craig Stone are big blows for us, not only as valuable members of our small squad, but also the commitment that they give and have given to this football club since they have been here.”

Meanwhile, before the Fleet return to Stonebridge Road on Saturday as they bid to claw back a 3-2 first leg deficit, Daish takes his side to Crawley Town in an unwanted Setanta Shield tie tomorrow night.

Crawley Town would like to acknowledge and thank Ebbsfleet United for agreeing to the request that the match be free entry to all supporters.

The winners will be at home to Forest Green Rovers in the Southern Area Final and will be responsible for hosting the final itself.

A healthy attendance will be expected at Broadfield Stadium tomorrow, and supporters are advised to arrive in plenty of time.

Crawley’s Redz Bar, which is situated behind the South Terrace, will welcome supporters from both clubs, with the doors opening from 6:30pm.

When asked by www.kentishfootball.co.uk on Saturday afternoon, about his team selection for the Setanta Shield game, Daish replied, “We’re very short on bodies, we’ll assess it on Monday, what we’re going to do Tuesday.”

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

Crawley Town v Ebbsfleet United
Setanta Shield Southern Area Semi-Final
Tuesday 17^th March 2009
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Broadfield Stadium, Brighton Road, Crawley, West Sussex RH11 9PX