Daryl McMahon’s straight red card was the main talking point as Ebbsfleet United were only able to draw 0-0 with Wealdstone at the PHB Stadium.

Steve Brown’s side came into the game after a disappointing 1-0 loss to Whitehawk on Saturday and looked to get back to winning ways against Wealdstone who hadn’t won in the four matches they had already played in this season, they had three points from their first four games and also came to the PHB Stadium after being beaten at the weekend, despite this, that was the only time they had lost so far this season, having drew their opening three matches of the year.

The Ebbsfleet manager made just one change from his team’s defeat in Sussex, Joe Howe took the place of Aiden Palmer at left back who was not included in the team, Billy Bricknell remained within the substitutes which meant that Matt Godden partnered Charlie Sheringham up for the Fleet.

After a high- tempo start to the game neither team was able to keep the ball due to the wet, slippery conditions; this forced both teams to resort the long ball approach, however, no chances were able to be created but it took a moment of skill from Anthony Cook to give the game it’s first goal scoring opportunity, he was able to weave his way through the Wealdstone defence before putting a low cross into the penalty area, the cross was cleared as far as Alex Osborn who was preparing a powerful shot but the ball was cleared further by Carl Martin.

The home fan’s frustration was increased when a failed goal kick came to Charlie Sheringham twenty yards from goal, instead of taking a shot he held up the attack and waited for support from Matt Godden, however, the ex- Scunthorpe Striker was unable to control the pass.

The conditions were not favourable for either team as the sliding tackles continued to worsen the referee allowed play to continue, this came to a climax on 39 minutes when Daryl McMahon was sent off after the referee thought that the midfielder had made a late, two footed challenge on Luke O’Nien.

The one man deficit seemed to raise Ebbsfleet’s hopes and on another tricky run through the centre of the Wealdstone defence before being tripped by Carl Martin, Matt Godden stepped up to take the penalty but it was expertly saved by Johnathan North, the goalkeeper leapt to his right and tipped the ball past the post to keep the first half goalless as half time approached.

After a slow start to the second half the game came to life when Anthony Cook was tripped by Sean Cronin on the edge of the penalty box but to Cook’s disbelief no free kick was given, Cronin accused the winger of diving which led to a small confrontation between the two players.

Wealdstone came straight back through a long, low pass to Joe Turner whose pass across came to Scott McGleish but the attacker was off balance when he slid in from two yards and his effort went inches wide of Preston Edward’s goal.

At the game went on Ebbsfleet began to show that they had lost Daryl McMahon, they looked second best in all areas of the pitch and attacking players Matt Godden and Anthony Cook were forced to play in midfield as the full time whistle came closer, the lack of a second striker after Charlie Sheringham came off for Tom Fraser left Billy Bricknell isolated up front on his own; this was seen when after a cross from the right, Scott McGleish was only able to put his unchallenged header off target which meant that another frustrating afternoon of football for Ebbsfleet finished 0-0.

Despite the frustrating game Steve Brown was full of praise for his team “It’s an absolutely blinding result, down to ten men after 35 minutes, we created better opportunities and they only had one shot on target”.

“I thought the midfield was excellent, the defence was excellent, the work rate from Alex Osborn and Matty Godden in the wide areas was exceptional, if we had that against WhiteHawk we would have won on Saturday”. “That’s three clean sheets at home now, I can’t ask any more of the players today”.

Despite his positive view on the team, the Ebbsfleet manager who is now in his second season at the Fleet was not impressed with his attackers “We had four opportunities to score but we didn’t take them, in this league you need to take your chances, but that is the only downside about today’s result”.

Brown is also refusing to talk about the major talking point of the match, Daryl McMahon’s red card “The challenge was made away from my eyeline so it’s impossible to give a judgement, however, the referee needed to take his time, the card was out before he had even got to Macca, he didn’t have a good game today.

In the second half Michael Corcoran was substituted off due to an injury but Brown belives his team is good enough to continue after the injury and McMahon’s future suspension “Looks like a sore groin, I know that we are able to continue with the squad we have, I have Matt Johnson, Tom Fraser and Dean Rance”.

Brown went on to explain that Rance is still not fully fit despite starting within the substitutes on Saturday “He’s very close to coming back, but he robably won’t be able to play on Saturday”.

Ebbsfleet now have a small break before they travel to fourth place Basingstoke Town for their next game, in which McMahon will not be available due to suspension.

 

Ebbsfleet United: Edwards, Sessegnon, Howe, McMahon, Acheampong, Clark, Osborn, Corcoran (Fraser), Sheringham (Bricknell), Godden (Huke), Cook

Subs not used: Hall, Johnson

Booked: Fraser

Sent off: McMahon

Wealdstone: North, Mills, Martin, Parker, Cronin, Godfrey, Wright (Malcom), Pigden (Collins), McGleish, O’Nien, Turner (Little)

Subs not used: Hickey, Hammond

Booked: Martin

Attendance: 936