Adam Hinshelwood and his players will have confidence coursing through their veins after last weekend’s dominant 5-0 win over Hornchurch, who have since reclaimed top spot after being displaced following the defeat.

The Rebels held the advantage at the break through another goal from Brad Dolaghan, who was teed up by the mesmerisingRazzaq Coleman De-Graft.

Hornchurch’s Makai Welch was  dismissed for denying Teddy Jenks a goal scoring opportunity early into the second period and Coleman De-Graft buried the subsequent free-kick.

Toby Byron then opened his account for the club with a towering header before Dolaghan doubled his tally for the afternoon with a clinical finish. Nathan Odokonyero struck in the league for the first time in injury time to seal a five star display in West Sussex.

It was the tenth win in just 12 games of Adam Hinshelwood’s third spell at the club, which has seen the Reds rise to within six points of top of the table.

The impressive run of form naturally attracted plenty of plaudits, resulting in a couple of nominations for the monthly awards. Adam Hinshelwood is shortlisted for the November Manager of the Month award, while Brad Dolaghan is up for the Player of the Month accolade.

This upcoming week could be a monumental and decisive week in the story of the 25/26 season. A trip to high-flyers Weston-super-Mare during midweek awaits the Rebels after their encounter with Ebbsfleet before a long journey to face Gloucester City in the Isuzu FA Trophy Third Round.

The Opposition

Since their demotion into the National League South last season, Ebbsfleet have struggled to find consistency back in the sixth tier.

However, the last time the Fleet competed at this level of the pyramid, they enjoyed a record-breaking campaign back in the 2022/23 season.

The Fleet accrued 103 points, equally Newport County’s record achieved in 2010 for the most points claimed in a National League South season. They also scored over a century of goals, as they made the opposition net bulge on 110 occasions.

Two seasons in the top level of Non-League football followed and after surviving the drop in their first year, they succumbed to the pressure of the level last term. A turbulent season saw the Kent outfit pick up only three wins all season – and inevitably they propped up the table at the end of the season.

Relegation served as a chance for Josh Wright’s side to regroup after a tough period, as they now aim for an immediate return to the National League

The Gaffer

Josh Wright embraced the plunge into retirement with the final club of his playing days, as he took the reins at the Kufflink Stadium in December 2024.

The 36-year-old is the youngest permanent manager in the league and was appointed following the dismissal of Harry Watling while the team was rooted to the bottom of the National League.

As a player, the former midfielder turned out for over ten clubs and made over 500 appearances, starring in the midfield for the likes of Gillingham, Leyton Orient and Crawley Town.

A transitional period ensued at Ebbsfleet after a poor start to last season, with Wright initially being named interim player/manager before hanging up the boots to focus solely on management.

The Ebbsfleet manager’s brother is TV personality Mark Wright, who is most famous for his time on reality show The Only Way is Essex, while also appearing for a few notable football teams.

One to Watch

Toby Edser has been the heartbeat of Ebbsfleet’s midfield for over four seasons.

He signed for the Fleet following a successful trial period in July 2022 and moved from Aldershot Town where he’d spent a couple of seasons in the National League.

Edser spent his formative years with Fulham and Charlton Athletic before moving on to Nottingham Forest on a two-year scholarship in 2018. He won the U18s league at the City Ground and captained Forest’s U23 side before gaining senior experience with Port Vale and Woking on loan.

He had a memorable first season at the Kufflink Stadium, scoring 13 goals on the way to the National South title.

The 26-year-old ended the 2023/24 season with a maiden England C cap and passed a century of appearances for the Kent outfit.

This season, Edser has provided two assists and scored his only goal of the campaign in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Farnborough.

League Form Guide

Ebbsfleet United | W8 D5 L6 GD: +3 | Pos: 9th

League Form: DLWLW

MD15: AFC Totton 0-2 Ebbsfleet United | Scorers: Finlay Barnes & Gene Kennedy

MD16: Weston-super-Mare 1-0 Ebbsfleet United

MD17: Ebbsfleet United 2-1 Chesham United | Scorers: Finlay Barnes & Aaron Cosgrave

MD18: Ebbsfleet United 1-2 Horsham | Scorers: Dominic Samuel

MD19: Farnborough 1-1 Ebbsfleet United | Scorer: Toby Edser

Worthing FC | W11 D3 L5 GD: +22 | Pos: 4th

League Form: WLWWW

MD15: Worthing 4-0 Hemel Hempstead Town | Scorers: Brad Dolaghan x2, Joel Colbran & Tom King

MD16: Worthing 4-0 AFC Totton | Scorers: Brad Dolaghan x3 & Razzaq Coleman De-Graft

MD17: Slough Town 1-2 Worthing | Scorers: Brad Dolaghan x2

MD18: Torquay United 3-2 Worthing | Scorers: Joel Colbran & Joe Cook

MD19: Worthing 5-0 Hornchurch | Scorers: Brad Dolaghan x2, Razzaq Coleman De-Graft, Toby Byron and Nathan Odokonyero

View from the Camp – Adam Hinshelwood

“To have a clear week of preparation ahead of a game, especially after a hectic period, is always incredibly important,” Hinsh stated.

“We got some good work done and freshened up some of the players that needed it.”

Tickets

This weekend’s match at the Kuflink Stadium will be segregated. 

It is important to note, away supporters must purchase their ticket in the away section (Swanscombe End) of the ground.

*Concessions: Over 60s. Entry subject to satisfactory ID. *

All Under 12s must be accompanied into the ground by a paying adult. To purchase an U12 ticket you must also purchase an adult/concession. Buy your tickets below through the FanBase app.

Ebbsfleet United vs Worthing tickets

Prices

Family (1 Adult + 1 Child) – £21.00

Adult – £17.00

Concession – £13.00

Young Adult (17-21-year-old) – £11.00

Youth (12-18-year-old) – £7.00

Under 12 – £1.00

How to Follow

If you can’t be at the game, you can follow the game via live updates from the club’s official X account.

Post-match reaction from the game including interviews and match report will be available after the full-time whistle.

Unfortunately, we have been informed that the Club will not be able to provide commentary this weekend, as commentary is prohibited for opposition teams at Ebbsfleet United. Rebels Live will return on Tuesday 9th December to cover the trip to Weston-super-Mare (7:45pm KO).