Basingstoke Town 2-2 Ebbsfleet United

 

Basingstoke Town 2-2 Ebbsfleet United

Ebbsfleet United picked up yet another draw in the Skrill South, as a last gasp Shane Huke goal denied high flyers Basingstoke Town.

The Fleet made two changes to the side that drew to Bath City, with Dean Rance and Michael Thalassitis coming in to replace Stacy Long and Alex Osborn. Thalassitis missed the visit of Bath due to international duty with Cyprus U21s.

The 'Stoke forced Preston Edwards into an early save, but it was all Fleet from then on and the visitors grabbed the first goal of the game after just three minutes. The ball fell to Rance 30 yards out, and his speculative effort caught Louis Wells off guard. Despite getting a touch to it, the former Dartford and Staines goalkeeper couldn't quite keep it out.

The Fleet were putting pressure on the 'Stoke defence and the chances were beginning to come. Daryl McMahon had a free-kick comfortably saved by Wells, and then a terrific double stop kept the Fleet's lead at one.

Thalassitis was proving a handful for the 'Stoke defence and Anthony Cook was lively as usual. McMahon again went close, as his drive went just over. The hosts were having to ride their luck a bit, and Michael Corcoran had the Fleet's last chance of the half as he headed over from a Cook free-kick.

In typical Fleet fashion, they conceded. Manny Williams received the ball twelve yards out, and made no mistake as he slotted past Edwards in what was only the 'Stoke's second meaningful shot on target. Despite controlling most of the half, the Fleet failed to take their chances and the two sides went into the interval all square.

The Fleet came out for the second half and started in the same fashion as the first; in total control, which would have come as a surprise to many, seen as the Fleet have been slow starters to the second half of matches so far this season. It took a brilliant block from a defender to deny Billy Bricknell a goal, and Rance fired a shot just wide of the goal from the edge of the area.

Cook was growing into the game even more, and his tidy cross from the right was met by the head of Bricknell. Fortunately for the hosts, the crossbar denied the former Dover striker and Cook then tried a cheeky backheel, which was easily gathered by the in-form Wells.

Dominic Green came on soon after and replaced Michael Corcoran, who limped off, and it didn't take long for the winger to get into the game. Some fine work down the right produced a good chance for Thalassitis, but the striker could only head wide. Green was at it again as he produced another cross for Thalassitis. This time, the striker was expertly denied by Wells in the 'Stoke goal.

Cook hit two shots straight at the grateful keeper, and that put an end to the Fleet's spell of dominance.

Very much like the first half, and most other games this season, the Fleet were made to pay for not taking their chances. This time it was a former Fleet player who made them pay, as midfielder Neil Barrett rose highest to head home Wes Daly's corner.

It looked as though the Fleet were heading for their second loss of the season until the fourth minute of injury time. A ball into the box put Wells under pressure, and for the first time in the match he really struggled to deal with it, and centre back Huke was there to stab home from two yards out after being fouled by a Basingstoke defender. The travelling contingent were delighted with the goal, but the home players were furious as they surrounded the referee for what they believed to be a foul on the 'keeper. The goal was given, and the game ended 2-2.

The Fleet have now drawn five of their seven League matches and sit 15th in the Skrill South. They face an out of form Chelmsford City on Tuesday at Stonebridge Road, still looking for their first home win of the season.

Fleet: Edwards, Howe, Lorraine, Huke, Palmer, Cook, Corcoran (Green), Rance, McMahon, Thalassitis, Bricknell (Osborn).

Subs not used: Hall, Sankofa, Long.

Attendance: 371.