CONFERENCE: Essandoh on standy-by for Sanchez

Sanchez puts Essandoh on stand-by
Fleet favourite Roy Essandoh has been put on stand-by for the Northern Ireland v Austria game on 13 October. If called up, he will join the squad on Sunday after Fleet's game at Burton this weekend. Of course, it was Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez who drafted in Essandoh to play for Wycombe in their FA Cup quarter final against Leicester in March 2001, and the rest, as they say, was history.

Taffy signs
Youngster Tafazzul Islam was signed late on Friday following some impressive appearances in Fleet's reserves. The ex-Arsenal Academy player celebrated with an appearance from the subs bench in Gravesend & Northfleet Northfleet's 4-1 victory over Leigh RMI on Saturday. "He looks very promising, definitely one for the future" said manager Andy Ford. At only 5'5" and 19 years old, Ford is hoping to have discovered another Manny Omoyinmi.

Watch Fleet highlights online
Highlights of Gravesend & Northfleet's game against Leigh RMI on Saturday can be seen on the Football Conference's broadband website, www.conferencefootball.tv, which went live earlier this season. With commentary and interviews from ex-Wimbledon and Wickham player Stuart Castledine, the package of goals and key moments from the game indicate some recognition of Fleet's deserved place among the elite of the Nationwide Conference.