Josh Umerah’s brace provided the only moments of joy for Ebbsfleet on an otherwise disappointing evening as visitors Torquay hit four on their way to taking the three points back to Devon.
Garry Hill’s men remain rock bottom of the National League as the pressure grows on the Fleet manager.
A common theme this season has been that when conceding first it has proved difficult for the Kent side to get back into games and maintain composure. Unfortunately, that very theme continued here as the visitors, managed by the experienced Gary Johnson took the lead. A good period of play resulted in a driven ball across the box being turned in by an unmarked Jake Andrews, leaving the Fleet scratching their heads after only 8 minutes.
To their credit, The Fleet responded well and created a sequence of half chances, Alex Reid headed narrowly wide from a Myles Weston cross while Weston himself proved to be a constant menace down the right hand side. However, the overall attacking momentum from the home side lacked that cutting edge and endeavour to create a clear cut chance that would put them back in the game.
Hill’s men looked to have grabbed a foothold in the game despite not creating a vast amount, possession was more controlled and the overall level of play had improved. However, on 24 minutes the Torquay lead was doubled. Jamie Reid burst into the Ebbsfleet area as the opposition defenders stood off the striker and allowed him to hit a fierce strike into the bottom left hand side of the Fleet net. That the strikers 10th league goal for Johnson’s side.
Josh Umerah gave the Fleet fans some hope 10 minutes later as the forward finished off a fine move. An excellent ball down the line found Alex Reid in acres of space who in turn looked up and played a precision pass into Umerah who had the simple task of slotting home from 5 yards.
Half time was fast approaching at the wrong time for the hosts who had been sparked into life following Umerah’s goal, the visitors were pegged back and under pressure hoping the half time whistle was imminent. It looked as though only one side would grab the next goal and that was the Fleet who looked in full control and the most dangerous they had been all game after getting the goal back. The Half time whistle blew but the end of the half had given fans rejuvenated hope that their side could earn a positive result from the fixture.
The second half began in horrifying style for the Fleet who fell to pieces defensively and essentially gave the game away to their opponents. Torquay’s 3rd came in similar style to their 1st, a ball down the line was cut back well and hit first time by Andrews who saw his strike turned in by teammate Matt Buse as the stagnant Fleet defence watched on. Just two minutes of the second half played and Hill’s men started to look like damaged goods.
If there was any remaining home of the Fleet salvaging anything from the game, that hope was evaporated on 54 minutes as United left back Liam Davis became the latest to profit from the home sides shambolic defensive display. A quick one two on the edge of the box between Vincent and David resulted in the former waltzing past the Fleet back line before burying a left footed effort under goalkeeper Jordan Holmes for the visitors fourth of the evening, the game now over after only 54 minutes.
In truth, the contest was over and the intensity levels of the game died down as the visitors protected what they had while the home side huffed and puffed but ultimately found no reward for their efforts. Umerah pulled another goal back after a smart near post header looped into the opposite side of the net following Blackman’s cross. However, it proved to be just a consolation.
Fleet remain rock bottom of the National League and questions will continue to be asked of manager Garry Hill on whom the pressure is mounting.
Ebbsfleet United: Holmes, Wilson, Grimes, King (Blackman 68), Cordner, Payne, Sutherland, Weston, Reid (Adeloye 61), Ugwu, Umerah.
Subs not used: Obileye, Egan, Palmer
Goals: Umerah (34, 80)
Torquay United: Covolan, Wynter, Davis, Cameron, Andrews, Vincent, Buse, Reid (Duku, 55), Kalala (Little, 59), Cundy, Whitfield.
Subs not used: MacDonald, Niate, Keating.
Goals: Andrews (9′), Reid (25′), Buse (47′), Davis (54′)
Referee: Mr R Atkin
Attendance: 908