Ebbsfleet United recorded their first
win of the season on Saturday as they beat Dorchester Town, who ended
the game with nine men. Billy Bricknell's brace and Anthony Cook's
superb solo effort was enough to see off the Magpies.
Fleet boss Steve Brown made one change
to the team who drew 1-1 with Maidenhead the Monday before, with
Bricknell coming in to replace winger Dominic Green. Influential
midfielder Stacy Long was yet again on the bench.
As the sun shone on The Avenue pitch,
it was the visitors who started the better with a string of chances
coming early on. The Fleet's set pieces were hitting the target, but
the early goal never came,
Alex Osborn, given another start after
impressing against Maidenhead, had two brilliant chances in quick
succession. His first effort, a shot from eight yards, was blocked
off the line by Nick Crittenden and then a great header was expertly
tipped over by 'keeper Alan Walker-Harris.
The referee, who wouldn't allow the
game to flow, begun brandishing yellow cards left right and centre
with Dean Rance and captain Paul Lorraine becoming victims early on.
In the opening four games, the Fleet
weren't putting enough pressure on their opponents but they couldn't
be accused of that against the Magpies. The reds were bombarding that
goal and keeping up the attacking intent throughout the first half.
Cook had a speculative overhead kick
tipped over by Walker-Harris, before Daryl McMahon had a long-range
shot parried wide. The Irish midfielder had his best game for the
Fleet so far as he got into some excellent positions and was always
active, however he refused to use his weaker foot, which meant he
wasn't as effective as he could have been.
The hosts only real chance of the half came
from the Fleet's failure to defend set pieces. Crittenden's deep
corner found an unmarked Ben Watson at the back post. Fortunately for
the Fleet, he could only hit the side netting.
Bricknell hit an effort wide with Cook
standing unmarked in the area. Cook showed his anger, and the pair
argued for a few seconds. They soon made up though, when the two
combined to put the Fleet ahead.
Cook's cross from the right flank found
the striker, who rounded the defender and slotted into the far
corner. The Fleet would argue that they should have been ahead long
before they were, but all that mattered was getting that all
important goal.
Charlie Clough was booked for the hosts
shortly after, just before the whistle blew for half-time. The Fleet
went in deservedly ahead.
The hosts come out in the second half
and grew into the game, passing the ball around a lot better and
looking like a side who wanted to win. Brandon Goodship forced
Preston Edwards into a smart save, while Clough headed over. Just as
the Magpies started to grow in confidence, Cook made an early entry
for goal of the season.
The young winger picked up the ball 30
yards out and skipped past the defender before unleashing a bullet
into the bottom corner, leaving the in-form keeper absolutely no
chance! It's certainly worth a second look once the highlights are
online!
The Fleet would have been hoping for a
clean sheet, but six minutes later the hosts pulled a goal back. A
corner, unsurprisingly, wasn't dealt with and Watson stabbed home
from eight yards after Goodship's initial effort was parried by
Edwards.
Shortly after, the in-form keeper
turned villain when a weak back pass allowed Michael Thalassitis in.
The on-loan striker tried to round the keeper, but was brought down
right in front of the goal. Although the linesman didn't believe the
keeper had done wrong, the referee pointed to the spot and brandished
a red card.
After a delay, Thalassitis stepped up
but sub goalkeeper Tim Sandercombe got down well to his right and
produced a fine one-handed stop. After a brilliant penalty against
Maidenhead the game before, it was a surprise to see such a poor
penalty, although the delay didn't help. That was the striker's last
contribution as he was replaced by midfielder Michael Corcoran.
With the game coming to an end, you'd
have thought the Magpies would have thrown everything at it to get a
draw, but it wasn't to be, as three minutes from time the Fleet
restored their two goal advantage.
A cross field ball from sub Dominic
Green found Cook in space, who flicked the ball over the defender and
found Bricknell. The striker made no mistake as he placed his shot
past Sandercombe into the bottom corner of the net. It was a
brilliant finish to round off a solid Fleet performance.
The last thing of note, was Magpies
defender Clough receiving his marching orders after a second yellow,
for a foul on Cook. The defeat leaves the Magpies now with four
losses from their opening five games and if it wasn't for
Farnborough, they'd be rooted to the bottom.
A confidence boosting win for the boys
in red, which is good going into next Saturday's game against Bath
City, a side who shouldn't be underestimated. The Fleet will look to
win their first game at Stonebridge Road.
Fleet: Edwards, Howe, Lorraine, Huke,
Palmer, Cook, McMahon, Rance, Osborn (Green), Thalassitis (Corcoran),
Bricknell.
Subs not used: Hall, Sankofa, Long.
Attendance: 422
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