Daish promises changes for Weymouth trip

EBBSFLEET UNITED boss Liam Daish has promised changes ahead of their re-match with Weymouth on Tuesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Fleet stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to ten games by winning a hard-fought FA Carlsberg Trophy tie at Stonebridge Road on Saturday.

Neil Barrett’s third goal of the season - in the 61^st minute - ensured the Kent club reached the quarter-finals, sealing victory during a dull game.

And Daish takes his side to the Wessex Stadium, promises changes.

“It gives us a chance to go down to the Wessex Stadium, Weymouth and maybe play a different side as well because that was a tough game (on Saturday), he told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“A chance to play some fringe players, a bit like what happened Tuesday (in the 4-1 win over Dartford in the Kent Senior Cup).”

But Daish believes the side that plays in Dorset will be strong enough to keep their excellent run of form going.

He said: “The side that will be out there won’t be weakened, I don’t think.

“I’ve got a squad of players and each one that comes in will do their job I’m sure.

“It’s a good position to be in that I’ve got a bunch of players whatever side I put out now their job and know what is expected.

“You see it’s going to be difficult, it’s tough. They’re at home now, they’ve had a look at us so it will be another good test for us, like all games are at the moment.”

But Daish admits his young squad are keeping focused as they go into the last three months of the season fighting on four fronts.

Promotion into the Football League is still possible via the play-off’s and they’ll know who they’ll face in the quarter-finals of the FA Carlsberg Trophy on Monday, as well as interest in both the Setanta Shield and Kent Senior Cup.

“We’re in a great run of form, we’re looking quite strong at the back,” he said. “Again, James Smith, I can’t speak highly of him at the moment and of course the old warhorse Paul McCarthy’s still unbelievable.

“Play-off’s, is a real chance of doing it. We’ve got a real chance of doing it, we’ve got a real hope of doing that.

“Just got to keep our feet on the ground and keep winning games, keep ourselves relatively injury free and the whole squad coming in and doing their job.”

Saturday’s match-winner Barrett, meanwhile, is facing a positive response from the Terras - in John Hollins’ first home game as Weymouth manager.

Barrett who rifled a shot into the top corner after his initial header bounced off the chest of Weymouth goalkeeper Jason Matthews after John Akinde and Stacy Long combined down the left, said: “We’ve got another hard game against them on Tuesday so if we can carry on our form then we’ll be delighted.

“We know a lot about them, they know a lot about us. I’m sure they’ll regroup and be ready for Tuesday as well, like we will be.”

Listen to LIVE BBC Radio Kent Website commentary of Tuesday night’s game with Charles Webster at www.bbc.co.uk/kent/sport.

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

Weymouth v Ebbsfleet United
Setanta Shield Fifth Round
Tuesday 5^th February 2008
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Wessex Stadium, Radipole Lane, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 9XJ