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Ebbsfleet United v Sutton United: Fleet manager Kevin Watson is hoping upturn in National League form will have supporters flocking back

Boss Kevin Watson hopes Ebbsfleet’s last two results will help attract the club’s stayaway fans back to Stonebridge Road.

The Fleet have breathed new life into their National League survival bid.

Ebbsfleet boss Kevin Watson. Picture: Sean Aidan
Ebbsfleet boss Kevin Watson. Picture: Sean Aidan

They claimed their first league win since November 30 on Tuesday, beating Woking 2-1. That result came after Ebbsfleet held Torquay to a goalless draw on Saturday.

A second-half brace from substitute Tomi Adeloye earned Watson’s side the points against Woking, although less than 700 watched the game and the Fleet remain second bottom.

But Watson said: “I’m hopeful after winning on a cold night in January when nearly 700 turned up, and I appreciate there are other things to do on a Tuesday night, that success on the pitch will bring the crowds back.

“Hopefully, a few will look from afar and see we have got a couple of decent results and think ‘let’s go back and support those boys’.

“We need everyone with us. It’s a fight, it’s a struggle, but it’s one these boys are willing to take up.

“If I see the belief and determination, as well as the performance levels and the desire I have seen in the last two games, then we will give it a right go.”

Ebbsfleet host Sutton this Saturday, looking to continue to bridge the seven-point gap between themselves and Dagenham & Redbridge, who sit outside the relegation zone.

But Watson insisted: “I have always said, on our day, we will match anyone in this league.

“We have just needed, and still need, more consistency. But that’s two big results coming at the right time.

“I’m hopeful we will prepare right for Saturday, we will push on and put in another performance because that (Fleet’s recent results) has to give you confidence.

“A draw down at Torquay and a home win against Woking and, all of a sudden, we have given ourselves a chance.

“We are not out of the mire by any stretch of the imagination but we are going in the right direction.”

Off the field, Ebbsfleet have also had problems, with Watson revealing at the weekend the club are under a transfer embargo for failing to pay a bill, meaning they have not yet been able to give new signing Michael Timlin his debut.

When asked following the win against Woking if there had been a resolution to the issue, Watson replied: “As far as I’m aware, not at the moment, no.

“From the day that bill is paid, I believe it will be seven days (until the club can register Timlin with the National League).

“But we are hopeful that money will be paid, there will be a resolution to it and we can get a very good player in a red Ebbsfleet shirt before too long.”

The National League declined to comment on the situation.

Read more: All the latest sports news in Kent

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