One moment of magic from Josh Coley was enough for Ebbsfleet United to continue their one hundred percent start to the season with a home victory over Chelmsford City.

In their three games since dropping down to the National League South, they are yet to concede a goal. Both defences were on top in this game, often played at break-neck speed, and neither goalkeeper had a real save to make, although the Fleet did hit the woodwork three times.

George Moncur had the first effort for the hosts with a sweetly struck shot that was too straight and held comfortably by former Fleet goalkeeper Chris Haigh. There was then chaos in their own penalty area when it ricocheted around before falling to Louie Kudiabor whose shot was blocked. Half hearted appeals for a handball were waved away.

Player-coach Ricky Holmes curled an effort wide of the far post for the Fleet before he again tried his luck from distance on the break from an Ebbsfleet corner but he again failed to hit the target.

Another Fleet corner was cleared to Ben Chapman who headed it back into the penalty area. It fell to Josh Passley who finished well however his joy was short lived when he saw the flag up for offside.

Toby Edser then worked his way through and exchanged passes with Aaron Cosgrave before shooting straight at Haigh, then Coley failed to muster sufficient power to worry the Clarets’ goalkeeper when shooting from the edge of the area.

Tom Dallison was unable to find the target with a header for the Fleet before they went ahead just before half time. A good passing move starting from the back allowed Coley to cut in from the wing before firing inside the far post.

Early in the second half Edser broke through and was tripped cynically before he surged into the penalty area, earning Dom Odusanya a yellow card. Moncur struck the free kick but the referee blew his whistle immediately for a perceived obstruction on the defensive wall by Chapman. 

Cosgrave did well to get to the bye-line and his low cross came out to Edser whose shot clattered the crossbar. Then, at the other end, Josh Castglione dispossessed a defender before slicing his shot well wide.

Coley then played Cosgrave in and he beat Haigh but it came back out off the post. It fell to substitute Gene Kennedy and his follow up shot struck the same upright.

Archie Tamplin side footed over from the edge of the penalty area for the visitors then Kennedy did likewise at the other end after Cosgrave had laid it back to him. Chelmsford had one last chance to get something out of the game when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area but Kai Corbett failed to trouble goalkeeper Mark Cousins with an effort that went over the wall and over the bar.

After three games, just the Fleet and AFC Hornchurch have a maximum nine points with the team from Kent having the better goal difference.

Ebbsfleet United: Cousins, Olagunju, Ehmer, Dallison; Hessenthaler, Edser; Passley, Moncur (Kennedy 71), Chapman; Coley (Samuel 81), Appiah (Cosgrave 17).

Subs not used: Bellagambi, Seaman, Fielding, Peake.

Goalscorer: Coley (45)

Yellow cards: Coley (49 foul), Ehmer (71 foul), Edser (82 foul), Cousins (87 delay of restart), Cosgrave (88 foul), Dallison (90+1 foul)

Chelmsford City: Haigh; Tompkins, Grimwood (Remy 59), Lange-King; Odusanya, Clark (Tamplin 79); Ronan, Holmes (Castiglione 46), Barbrook; Kudiabor, Barham (Corbett 73).

Subs not used: Eastwood, Hedges, Hayes.

Goalscorers: None 

Yellow cards: Grimwood (28 foul), Odusanya (54 foul)

Referee: Steven Hughes

Assistants: Ryan Chantrill-Smith and Harrison Clark

Fourth Official: Sam Wington

Attendance: 1,636