A goal from Anthony Cook early in the second half was enough to see Ebbsfleet beat Eastbourne Borough at Stonebridge Road.
After the fleet’s game against Concord Rangers was frustratingly abandoned due to floodlight failure in Essex, the Skrill South’s fourth placed team needed a good win against Eastbourne to start a busy Easter period as a result of abandoned games earlier in the season.
Steve Brown kept his team unchanged from the abandoned game during the week, meaning that Ben May kept his place in the starting eleven alongside Billy Bricknell, however, Stacy Long, fresh from his time at the Sports was removed from the substitutes bench, Alex Osborn took his place. They came up against a strong Eastbourne team which included former fleet defender Ian Simpemba, the visitors came into the match in 10th position, allowing them to comfortably look forward to next season.
After a physical start to the game, it was Ebbsfleet who had the best chances in the opening ten minutes. First, after Anthony Cook was tripped on the edge of the area McMahon was only able to put his shot into the defensive wall, soon after, Ben May was able to win a header from Joe Howe’s cross from the right wing, but the striker was tightly marked and could only put his effort over.
May continued to give Eastbourne problems, after Craig Ross was unable to hold onto a simple shot, the powerful forward got hold of the loose ball and clipped it over Ross, but Matt Aldred was able to hook the shot off the line and keep the game level.
After Joe Howe’s lunging tackle on Simon Johnson resulted in a yellow card the game sparked into life, both teams were not allowing any space meaning the high tempo of the match resulted in quick passing and fast counter attacks.
Eastbourne came back soon after and after Howe and Johnson tangled again the ball fell to Charlie Gorman, but Preston Edwards did well to prevent being beaten at his near post.
Ebbsfleet continued to apply pressure, and after a foul wasn’t given to Eastbourne, Ben May was given the ball and played it away to Billy Bricknell; after cutting outside onto his right foot he put a shot across the goalmouth which was well saved from Craig Ross, soon after, McMahon’s corner found Dean Rance, but the midfielder’s flick- on was unable to find a team mate to keep the game level at half time.
In the second minute of the second half Ebbsfleet were given their best chance of the match, after Dean Rance won the ball in midfield, after some tight, quick passing the ball came out to Anthony Cook who was able to unleash a powerful shot across Craig Ross to give Ebbsfleet a 1-0 lead.
After gaining the lead, Ebbsfleet continued to attack but after Aiden Palmer was given the ball from an overlapping run, his cross was met by Ben May, whose header went agonisingly wide.
After a slow period of play, Ebbsfleet had their next chance, a long ball from Preston Edwards was headed on by Ben May into the path of Dean Rance, after taking a touch, the midfielder’s half volley slammed against the post.
Ebbsfleet could have doubled their lead ten minutes after, but after Acheampong’s header flew into the net after it hit Ben May, unfortunately for the fleet, May was standing in an offside position, forcing the officials to disallow the goal.
Despite the referee giving Eastbourne four minutes added time to find an equaliser, they were unable to break through the fleet’s stubborn defence, giving Ebbsfleet a good win before a tough trip to struggling Maidenhead.
That win gives Ebbsfleet the best chance to stay in the playoff places on 68 points and Steve Brown believes that his team is able to succeed “Maidenhead are under a lot of pressure, but we just need three points from our remaining two games and I’d like to see us do it on Monday”.
After the trip to Berkshire on Monday the Fleet travel back to Essex to play the rearranged fixture which will be free to enter for all fans, “We’d like as many fans as possible to travel over to support us, the support was terrific today, when Stonebridge Road has an atmosphere, it’s a wonderful place, sometimes we need the crowd to get us through difficult times and hopefully they can do it again next week”.
Ebbsfleet now only have one remaining home fixture when relegated Dorchester Town come to Stonebridge Road on the 26th April, which will also be free to attend.
Ebbsfleet United: Edwards, Howe (Sessegnon), Palmer, McMahon (Osborn), Acheampong, Sankofa, Corcoran, Rance, May, Bricknell (Thalassitis), Cook
Subs not used: Lorraine, Hall
Booked: Howe, McMahon
Eastbourne Borough: Ross, Tallack (Welch), Cole, Aldred, Simpemba, Rowe, Deadman (Levy), Gorman, Hammond, Johnson, Derry
Subs not used: Stinson, Woodall, Taylor
Attendance: 933