This first North Kent Derby took a while to get going, maybe the conditions did not help.

Ebbsfleet go back down the A226 taking the honours and get closer to Bath City at the top of the division.

The game started with both teams a little timid in their approach with Ebbsfleet probably just the better and then in the 7^th minute they took the lead when Stuart Lewis running down the right wing was fortunate with the rebound of Lee Noble which enabled him to then go past Mark Onyemah to the by-line and his low cross evaded everyone except Jordan Parkes who slammed home from 5 yards.

Ebbsfleet were now in control and 6 minutes later a corner to the back post found Matt Godden who headed back into the danger area before it was cleared but only to Parkes on the edge of the area and his attempted volley went wide.

The game went quiet for a while as Dartford tried to get back in the game and Ebbsfleet in charge without really doing anything, then Dartford had a good few minutes when firstly in the 26^th minute Tom Bradbrook passed to Ryan Hayes who went into the area before shooting but Brandon Hall saved easily and then 3 minutes later Hayes again received the ball and saw his curling effort from 18 yards go just past the post.

Half time arrived and Daryl McMahon would have been the happier of the two managers whilst Tony Burman would have to rally his troops reminding them that they are at home and only a goal down.

The second half started with Dartford the more positive and in the 47^th minute a cross across the area by Hayes saw someone get a knick on it forcing Matt Fish to clear of the line.

In the 55^th minute Ebbsfleet nearly went two up when a Robbie Willmott free kick into the area found Kenny Clark and his powerful header forced Deren Ibrahim to push it away.

The game went through a quiet period with Dartford having more possession but Ebbsfleet defending well and relying on the counter attack.

The game suddenly had drama in it when in the 80^th minute Dean Rance went into a tackle and the referee deemed it dangerous and booked him and as it was his second, so off he went but in the mean time at least 16 players converged on each other probably dishing out advice to their opponents.

The last 15 minutes saw Dartford up the tempo but in reality fell short and Ebbsfleet defended brilliantly to hold on and keep their unbeaten run going.

 

DARTFORD:

1. IBRAHIM 2. L.BURNS  3. M.ONYEMAH   4. T.GARDINER  5. C. McNAUGHTON  6. L.NOBLE  7.  R.HAYES (60) 8. E.BRADBROOK  9. T.BRADBROOK  10. E.ADAMS (83)  11. J.SIMMONS (70)

SUBS USED:  16. D.HARRIS (60)  14. B-KAH DEMBELE (70)  15. G.SYKES (83)

SUBS NOT USED:  12. R.VANT  13. J.TURNER

BOOKINGS: 8. E.BRADBROOK (34)  5. C.McNAUGHTON (54)  10. E.ADAMS (62)  11. J.SIMMONS (67)

 

EBBSFLEET UNITED:

1. HALL 2. M.FISH  3. J.HOWE  4. S.LEWIS  5. K.CLARK  6. T.BONNER  7. D.RANCE  8. J.PARKES 9. D.KEDWELL (83) 10. M.GODDEN (66)  11. R.WILLMOTT (56)

SUBS USED:  16. D.HAYNES (56)  15. J.P KISSOCK (66)  14. A. CUNNINGTON (83)

SUBS NOT USED: 12. A.ACHEAMPONG  & 13. J.MILES

BOOKINGS:  7. D.RANCE (65, 80)

SENT OFF:  7. D.RANCE (80)

 

REFEREE: Mr S.PURKISS

ASSISTANTS: Mr B.GILL & Mr A.GRAY

ATTENDANCE: 2,251