Ebbsfleet United manager Dennis Kutrieb says strength of mind will be key to victory over Dorking Wanderers in National League South play-off final

Ebbsfleet boss Dennis Kutrieb believes his side face a mental battle as much as a football one this weekend.

The Fleet head to Dorking Wanderers on Saturday for the National League South play-off final with the winners gaining promotion to non-league’s top table.

While the game pits together arguably the division’s two best footballing sides, Kutrieb believes the match could be won or lost by what goes on in their heads.

“We know pretty much what they do, and they know what we do,” said Kutrieb.

“I would say these are two footballing sides in this league that try to play whenever they can.

“It’s a question if we want to stop or let them play and do something slightly different. We will work on a matchplan, we will see who is available, where their strengths and weaknesses are.

“Even though they were second in the league, they lost games like we lost games as well so they have weaknesses. We have weaknesses as well so we will try to make the right decisions to exploit theirs.

“The most important thing is that we are mentally strong and we are prepared with our mindset, and in the right state of mind for a promotion final.

“It’s not about who is the better footballing side on the day, it’s about who is ready in their head to go and grab this.

“The mindset will play a huge role, we need to have the right mindset. If they don’t have the right mindset and we do then we will have an advantage.

“If it’s the other way round, then they will have an advantage.”

Dorking go into the game as favourites. They have home advantage, the majority of support in a sell-out crowd at Meadowbank and an impressive record on their 3G pitch.

But with that comes the weight of expectation, no matter how much the hosts try to play that down.

“I know