Here we preview the next group of clubs set to face the Coasters during the National League 2018-19 season…
CHESTERFIELD:
2017-18 League Position: 24th (League Two)
Manager: Martin Allen
Key Player: Kristian Dennis
A draw between Morecambe and Cambridge United in April was enough to condemn the Spireites to non-league football for the first time since 1921. The Derbyshire side play at the modern 10,000 capacity Proact Stadium after leaving their historic Saltergate home in 2010. One of the few shining lights at Chesterfield last season was the form of striker Kristian Dennis who bagged 16 goals as the club finished bottom of the Football League. As an established former Football League side, Chesterfield will go into the new season as one of the bookmakers favourites for promotion.
DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE:
2017-18 League Position: 11th
Manager: John Still
Key Player: Fejiri Okenabirhie
Dagenham’s play-off push was dented by a disappointing away record in 2017-18 as they picked up just six wins on the road despite a very strong season at their Victoria Road home, where the Coasters were beaten 2-0 in March. Forward Fejiri Okenabirhie was the breakthrough star for the Daggers last term, contributing 11 goals and numerous man of the match performances, which earned him a call up to the England C Squad. Experienced manager John Still is in his third spell as manager having once taken the club up to the heights of League One during his second stint from 2004-2013.
DOVER ATHLETIC:
2017-18 League Positon: 8th
Manager: Chris Kinnear
Key Player: Mitch Walker
The Whites were narrowly edged out by the Coasters in the hunt for the final play-off position on the final day of last season despite a late win at relegated Woking. The Kent side have been a regular fixture in the top half of the table in recent years and with Mitch Walker, Manny Parry, Mitch Brundle and Ryan Bird they have a strong core to build on and mount yet another promotion push this term. The Coasters secured a league double over Dover with a 1-0 win in Kent in November and a comeback 3-1 win in February at Mill Farm.
EASTLEIGH:
2017-18 League Position: 14th
Manager: Andy Hessenthaler
Key Player: Ben Williamson
Amongst the pre-season promotion favourites for several years, the Spitfires had to settle for a mid-table finish in 2017-18. The Coasters played out two entertaining 2-2 draws with the Solent club with midfielder Henry Jones scoring in both fixtures. Eastleigh have several experienced ex-Championship stars on their books including former Sheffield Wednesday captain Reda Johnson and ex-Watford midfielder Mark Yeates. The club play at the Silverlake Stadium and striker Ben Williamson was their top scorer last season with 10 league goals. Eastleigh were recently put up for sale by chairman Stewart Donald who has since invested in League One side Sunderland.
EBBSFLEET UNITED:
2017-18 League Position: 6th
Manager: Darryl McMahon
Key Player: Danny Kedwell
The Coasters and the Fleet shared a very similar 2017-18 season with both recently promoted clubs qualifying for the play-offs, separated by just a point. The two clubs shared the points in both league fixtures with Danny Rowe scoring in the 3-3 draw at Stonebridge Road in August and the 1-1 draw at Mill Farm three days before Christmas. Ebbsfleet were to make the play-off semi-finals after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win at Aldershot Town before suffering an extra-time defeat at Tranmere Rovers. Like Eastleigh, the Kent club boast several experienced former Football League players including 18-goal striker Danny Kedwell, former Bolton full-back Lawrie Wilson and ex-Ipswich Town midfielder Andy Drury.
GATESHEAD:
2017-18 League Position: 17th
Manager: Steve Watson
Key Player: Danny Johnson
The Tynesiders had a solid if not unspectacular 2017-18 season, finishing six points clear of the relegation places despite ending with a positive goal difference. Fylde would take four points from their league fixtures with Gateshead starting with a drab 0-0 draw in October before earning all three points with a 2-1 win in the return fixture in February courtesy of a Danny Rowe’s brace. Several first team players have left the International Stadium in recent weeks, notably Russell Penn and Dan Hanford. The club have been put up for sale by owners Richard and Julie Bennett.
