Ebbsfleet United slumped to a
disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to Chelmsford City on Tuesday. The
Clarets, who were on a run of four straight losses, produced the
perfect away performance against a Fleet side who looked lost.
Manager Steve Brown made one change to
the side that drew away at Basingstoke. Michael Corcoran, who limped
off, was replaced by winger Dominic Green. That meant there was a
place for Tom Phipp on the bench – not that it mattered.
The Club's new owner Dr Abdulla
Al-Humaidi was in attendance for his first ever 'Fleet match. He'd
flown over from Kuwait for the match, and must be very disappointed
with what he saw, just like the fans in attendance.
The Chelmsford fans had come down in
high spirits despite their poor start and made themselves heard from
start to finish. It was good to have a set of away fans at
Stonebridge Road who actually contributed to the atmosphere. The
Fleet fans were in good voice to begin with too.
The opening exchanges were quite
scrappy, with both sides getting hold of the ball but not doing an
awful lot with it. The Fleet created a half chance as Michael
Thalassitis headed Daryl McMahon's cross wide.
The first real chance of the match
didn't come until after the fifteen minute mark. McMahon received the
ball on the edge of the area. His initial shot was well blocked by a
Chelmsford defender. His follow up shot got a bit closer, as it
dipped just over the crossbar.
Lanky striker Rob Edmans was proving a
handful for the Fleet defenders and his presence was beginning to
show as he rose highest from a free-kick. Preston Edwards gathered
his flick on comfortably.
A lapse in concentration at the back
for the Fleet allowed Chelmsford in. Edmans effort was weak and young
midfielder Charlie Henry refused to give up as he chased the ball
down and shot from a tight angle, forcing Edwards into a reflex save.
As the game begun to open up, the
visitors got more and more into the game and Tom Derry got in behind
the Fleet defence, but dragged his effort wide.
Former Chelmsford winger Anthony Cook
was giving 100% as usual, but he didn't have as much luck during this
match as the away defence held firm. His free kick was well parried
by 'keeper Carl Pentney. The last chance of the half fell to Dean
Rance, who's effort from outside the box was saved by Pentney.
The second half started in the same
fashion as the first. Both sides having the ball, but neither being
able to create anything.
The Fleet got a free-kick on the edge
of the area, and Green's low shot was deflected and brilliantly saved
by the feet of Pentney.
Edmans continued to cause problems for
the Fleet defence as he sent a header wide from eight yards out.
You'd think the defence would learn,
but no. The tallest player on the pitch was repeatedly given time and
space, and wasn't picked up enough by the defenders. In typical
fashion, he made them pay. Good work from winger Basagan Graham gave
Henry some space down the right, and his cross found Edmans unmarked
eight yards out, who made no mistake as he guided his header out of
the reach of Edwards and into the bottom corner.
The Fleet were almost level soon after
when McMahon's free kick struck the inside of the post and bounced
clear, but the visitors wrapped the game up eight minutes from time.
A brilliant counter attack from Chelmsford was finished off by
on-loan striker Derry, after a pass from Graham. The goal sent
Chelmsford fans wild, and it was no more than they deserved. It was
the perfect away performance.
The Fleet, however, have shown no signs
of improving and fans are beginning to lose patience. The only win of
the season came against a side bottom of the league with just one
point. It's not good enough, and the fans let the team and management
know after the game with some boos and harsh words.
The result has seen Chelmsford move out
of the drop zone and Ebbsfleet's next opponents (Boreham Wood) drop
in. The Fleet sit in 16th place with eight points from
eight matches.
Fleet: Edwards,
Howe, Lorraine, Huke, Palmer, Green (Osborn), Rance, McMahon, Cook,
Bricknell, Thalassitis.
Subs not used: Hall,
Sankofa, Long, Phipp.
Clarets: Pentney,
Sampayo, Maduako, Webb, Redwood, Henry, Davis (Rainford), Hughes,
Graham, Edmans (Brayley), Derry.
Subs not used: (Sam)
Long, Nicolau, St Amie.
Attendance: 696.
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