Although played at a tremendous tempo with players of both teams giving their all, the North Kent derby between Dartford and Ebbsfleet United ended goal-less.

Both teams came into the game after a two week lay-off since last playing a competitive match but looked dangerous with their pace, especially when breaking. Although Ebbsfleet hit the bar and Dartford had two efforts cleared off the line, a draw was probably a fair result.

Lee Martin, Ebbsfleet’s captain, pulled up with just one minute on the board and was replaced by James Dobson two minutes later. However, they still had the first goal attempt when Bobby Taylor burst through two tackles but fired over with the angle against him.

Michael West headed over from Ben Chapman’s cross before Chris Dickson thought he was through for Dartford but Jordan Holmes was out sharply to claim just inside his penalty area.

Rakish Bingham then tested Craig King with a drive from outside the area but the Darts keeper was down well to claim and he was again in action soon after, diving at Jack Paxman’s feet after the Fleet midfielder had waltzed his way into the penalty area.

Dickson headed wide from Craig Braham-Barrett’s cross with Holmes looking beaten but it was the visitors who finished the half the strongest. Jordan Wynter made an excellent block from Dobson’s shot and Bingham looked to make the most of a defensive error to burst through but he shot straight at the Dartford custodian.

Ebbsfleet started the second half in exactly that same way as the first by losing a player when Jack Goodman went down and had to be replaced by Adam Mekki but after some end to end football they came desperately close when Sefa Kahraman met Josh Payne’s corner with a towering header that came down and bounced out after hitting the underside of the bar.

Mekki then combined well with Tobi Adebayo-Rowling to set up Mike West but he shot well over before Dartford created an opportunity when Dickson rounded Holmes but the angle was tight and Chapman cleared off the line.

Another goal-line clearance again saved Holmes when Connor Essam’s header from Nassim L’Ghoul’s corner was headed off the line by Bobby Taylor.

The action then went back to the other end. Craig King struggled to keep out Mekki’s swerving drive and it came out to Reece Grant but King recovered quickly to save the follow up. Mekki again caused problems and his shot was deflected wide but that was defended safely.

Payne’s free kick from a dangerous position flew well wide before Essam made a vital block from Bingham’s shot after Ebbsfleet had worked himself into a good position.

However, it was the hosts who finished the strongest and after netting from an offside position a prone Dickson inadvertently blocked an effort from Essam.

After the final whistle, Holmes raced out of goal to confront Grant who had caught him late on and scuffles broke out between players and squad members of both teams after Grant had fouled the keeper late on.

Dartford: King Wynter, Braham-Barrett, Ijaha (Barnum-Bobb 45), Essam, Bonner, L’Ghoul, Husin, Dickson, Barham (Romain 69), Berkeley-Agyepong. Subs not used: Hill, Marsh-Brown, Allen.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Ijaha

Red cards: None

Ebbsfleet United: Holmes, Adebayo-Rowling, Taylor, Chapman, Kahraman, Goodman (Mekki 47), Paxman, Payne, Bingham, West (Grant 64), Martin (Dobson 3). Subs not used: Hadler, Wood.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Mekki, Grant

Red cards: None

Referee: Richie Watkins

Assistants: Rhys Battye and Tom Fell

Images courtesy of Dave Budden