Four red cards due to one incident overshadowed another Ebbsfleet draw as they ensured they ended February unbeaten after a 0-0 draw with Hayes and Yeading.

Coming off the back of a tough 1-1 draw at Truro, the Fleet looked to return to winning ways to preserve their ten point lead at the top of the National League South. Having not lost in the month of February, Daryl McMahon’s side knew that three points against seventeenth placed Hayes and Yeading would continue their good run of form into the final stretch of the season. McMahon kept the same eleven who started in the long trip to Truro the previous weekend.

Their visitors on Saturday came into the game with some good form of their own. By only losing two of their last eight matches they have found themselves three points clear of the relegation places and, in scoring eight goals in their last three games, they felt good against an Ebbsfleet team whose all four defeats have come in front of their home fans this season.

He hosts took control of the game right away, and within two minutes their fans thought the opening goal had been scored. After shaking off pressure from Manny Monthe, Matt Godden put a low cross into the path of Stewart Lewis, but James Hamon was able to hold onto the close range effort.

Hayes son worked their way back into the game and, despite being able to take Aaron McLean out the game for the majority of the first half, they were unable to create any meaningful chances, Both Luke Williams and Darren Purse had chances from set pieces which only resulted in hopeful long range efforts.

An even first half ended with a flurry of chances for both sides. Matt Fish’s low cross was steered behind for a corner before a through ball from Anthony Cook found Matt Godden in the area who, despite falling to the floor, was not given a penalty. With time running out in the half Luke Williams did well to skilfully wriggle into space, only for that open area to be closed back up by Ebbsfleet defenders. With the final chance of the period Tom Bonner headed over from Anthony Cook’s free kick.

Much like the first half, the hosts began the second 45 minutes quickly, straight from kick off an impressive run from Anthony Cook culminated with the winger finding Aaron McLean in the middle, but the striker’s header was well tipped wide by James Hamon.

Just after the hour mark the game sparked into action yet again. After a cross from Anthony Cook was caught by James Hamon, only for Anthony Acheampong to hit the keeper late. Darren Purse intervened by seeming to throw an arm out at Acheampong, only resulting in inciting a mass brawl between the two sides. Tom Bonner and Anthony Cook were sent off for the hosts as a result of their role within the fracas, whilst Adam Everitt and Manny Monthe saw red for Hayes and Yeading. Purse was lucky to escape with a yellow card.

Monthe had been troubling Aaron McLean all game, and with him off the pitch the attacker was given far more space. Just two minutes after play restarted the ex-Barnet and Peterborough striker found space to hit a high shot into the side netting.

With only 18 players in the pitch, space was a lot easier to find and it was the hosts who took advantage of this. Substitute Danny Haynes hit a low shot just wide from his position on the right wing before the visitors countered, resulting in Elliott Benyon hitting a long range shot past Brandon Hall’s right post.

Mclean continued to get chances as time ran out. A short corner allowed Matt Godden to put a cross towards McLean nut hi effort from point blank range was easily saved. Matt Godden followed up moments later with a low shot which Hamon tipped wide before Matt Godden couldn’t connect well with the resulting corner, meaning the game in which neither team truly troubled the opposing goalkeeper ended goalless.

Daryl McMahon, when speaking to the press after the simply extraordinary incident showed his dismay at the whole situation, “I didn’t see four red cards. I don’t know what any of our lads were supposed to be doing, but if we do find anything they will be fined.”

“I need us to be cleverer… now we need to deal with suspensions. It’s not brave and it’s not clever”

That point keeps the fleet ten points clear at the top of the table, but the table toppers have played two games more than both Sutton and Maidstone. The second of their three consecutive home games comes on Tuesday when struggling Havant and Waterlooville head to north Kent.

 

Ebbsfleet United: Hall, Fish, Van Den Bogaert, Lewis (Kissock), Acheampong, Bonner, Rance, Parkes (Haynes), Godden, McLean, Cook

Subs not used: Howe, Miles, Sheringham

Hayes and Yeading: Hamon, Fenlon, Brown, Everitt, Purse, Monthe, Williams, Lodge (Durojaiye), Benyon, Kennedy (Simpson), Worsfold

Subs not used: Ehvi, Murrombedzi, Pickford

Referee: Mr A Da Costa

Assistants: Mr O Morris- Sanders & Mr A Pope