After a communication breakdown, Ebbsfleet United won at VCD Athletic in an entertaining fast paced Kent Senior Cup Quarter Final.

Although not quite a Stairway to Heaven, victory meant that last year’s beaten finalists qualified for the semi-finals while the Vickers were left Dazed and Confused, 

Henry Griffin went on an early surging run for the hosts before squaring to Charlie Heatley who shot just wide from twenty yards. However, it was the Fleet who went ahead in the twelfth minute. Aaron Cosgrave did well down the right before squaring to the far post and Elijah Anthony rolled it in.

Another strong Griffin run gave him the opportunity to set up Bethel Gboda and his shot was blocked wide. Victor Ayai delivered the corner and Fleet’s Watford loanee goalkeeper, Jonathan Macaulay, had to stretch to punch it out from under the crossbar.

Then Ebbsfleet broke quickly and Bobby Mason had to come out but struggled to clear. It fell to Dom Samuel with Mason stranded but his first time effort from thirty-five yards flew wide. Gboda had a goal-bound shot blocked by Donny Nelson before Anthony scuffed a shot wide.

Gael Kaleba did brilliantly to keep a long VCD pass forward from going out of play before pulling it back to Heatley who shot wide of the far post, then with half time approaching, Kaleba had an effort of his own which Macaulay beat out with his chest.

Early in the second half Samuel made space for himself but shot wide before Anthony fired well off target. Ayai then went desperately close for the Vickers with a shot that came back out off the upright.

Lennon Peake tried his luck from a tight angle for the Fleet but Mason pushed it round the post then Cosgrave fired an effort across the face of goal. Passley’s pull back created an opportunity for Josh Coley and Mason made an excellent save and the Vickers’ goalkeeper again denied Coley after Samuel played him in.

It wasn’t all one way though, and Macaulay saved well from Gboda before the visitors had another opportunity when Coley chopped back brilliantly before blasting over.

As the game moved into stoppage time, the Vickers were reduced to ten men when substitute Ollie Freeman was dismissed for what was deemed an over zealous challenge.

Three minutes later, Ebbsfleet scored a second when Coley finished from George Moncur’s low cross. Although VCD responded immediately when Alfie Evans hit the post and it came out to Ayai who fired home via the same upright, only twenty seconds remained and it was the Fleet who progressed.

VCD Athletic: Mason; Ikebuasi, Fenn, Christie, Griffin; Kaleba (Freeman 57), Evans, Bird, Gboda; Heatley, Ayai.

Subs not used: Rutherford, Barrington, Sampson. 

Goal: Ayai  (90+7)

Yellow card: Christie (5 foul)

Red card: Freeman (90+2 serious foul play)

Ebbsfleet United: Macaulay; Manktelow (Seaman 70), Chapman, Nelson, Anthony (Kennedy 58); Domi; Passley, Peake, Moncur; Cosgrave (Coley 58), Samuel (Barnes 80).

Sub not used: Coker.

Goals: Anthony (12), Coley (90+5)

Yellow cards: Domi (57 foul), Nelson (87 foul)

Referee: Harrison Clark

Assistant Referees: Jack Mottram and Alex Gordon

Attendance: 112