A bank holiday: Ebbsfleet United vs Southend United

Words: Tom Stanworth

Images: Tom Stanworth, Sam Wainwright

Easter Bank Holiday fixtures are known for bumper crowds and Good Friday’s National League fixture between Ebbsfleet United and Southend United didn’t disappoint.

The largest league gate at Stonebridge Road in 22 years witnessed an entertaining 1-1 draw and made for a great atmosphere. The 4,019 crowd was driven by a superb away turnout, with 1,795 Shrimpers fans filling the Swanscombe End beneath the enormous electricity pylon that Godzilla would struggle to topple.

This was their seventh away sell-out of the season and was great to see, particularly given that the club came close to extinction earlier this season prior to an 11th hour takeover which owed a great deal to fan mobilisation.

The Stonebridge Road ground (known as Kuflink Stadium since 2017) is one that I’ve enjoyed on my groundhopping visits, with its three remaining old school stands and friendly vibe from The Fleet faithful.

The old Main Stand is particularly characterful and houses the fantastically tiny Member’s Bar that I visited for the first time at half-time.

With plans at an advanced stage for a new 8,000-seater stadium as part of the Northfleet Harbourside development, it’s a ground that I’ll make the most of while I can.

©Sam Wainwright/ Terrace Edition. Ebbsfleet United vs Southend United.

At the business end of the season, every game is a big one for Ebbsfleet in their battle to avoid relegation in their first season back at this level since 2019-20.

They topped the form guide coming into the game due to the huge new manager bounce that Danny Searle has brought about following his appointment in early February, which has pulled them out – but not far clear – of the relegation zone.

They had the better of the game and deservedly equalised through topscorer Dominic Poleon with 14 minutes of normal time remaining.

As for Southend, the promotion playoffs aren’t a realistic prospect due to the 10-point deduction received in August after failing to clear a debt to HMRC before a deadline imposed by the National League.

Their priority is to build towards a promotion push next season and this game saw them extend their unbeaten run to 12 games.

I hope to see both sides doing well in this division next season. Up The Fleet and Up The Shrimpers.