Fleet boss: Hampton may provide tough test
00:00, 26 February 2002
updated: 10:45, 26 February 2002
GRAVESEND & Northfleet players have been warned by manager Andy Ford to be on their toes when they meet Hampton & Richmond in the league at Stonebridge Road tonight. Ford says the Ryman League, Premier Division, strugglers can be match for any team in the league on their day.
He stressed: "They drew 1-1 at Canvey Island a few weeks ago so that result should be enough to put us on our toes. On their day they can be a difficult side to beat but they could be very poor and it could be easy for us. Inconsistent teams like that are always a difficult test."
Gravesend will be hoping to bounce back from their weekend FA Umbro Trophy exit at the hands of Stalybridge Celtic as they look to close the gap at the top of the league to two points behind Canvey.
The Fleet will be without Danny Lye for a second successive game after the midfielder picked up a head injury last week, but Aaron Barnett should return to the starting line-up following a one-game ban.
Gravesend (from): Turner, Coyle, Skinner, Barnett, Burton, Duku, Owen, McKimm, Jackson, Wilkins, Booth, Smith, Martin, Lee, Spackman, Hockey.