Ebbsfleet suffered their second defeat on the trot but this time to Chester who are fighting relegation.

The performance was not up to the standards they had, had before Christmas and they seemed a little lost although they had enough possession they did not force the Chester Keeper to make many saves.

The game started brightly for Ebbsfleet as in the 5^th minute Myles Weston on the edge of the area saw his shot saved easily by Sam Hornby, then two minutes later they were unlucky when a Jack Powell free kick into the area was flicked on by Danny Kedwell, Kingsley James on the back post sliced his clearance straight to Hornby.

Chester took their time to get into the game & in the 18^th minute James Akintunde on the edge of their area saw his shot easily saved by Nathan Ashmore. Three minutes later Chester were in Heaven when Akintunde on halfway slid the ball through for Harry White who raced onto it and  saw Ashmore coming out who then hesitated, this made his mind up as he side footed the ball into the net from 25 yards.

In the 26^th minute Sean Shields on the left cut inside and tried his luck from 20 yards but Hornby saved easily. In the 32^nd minute six slick passes around the area saw Chris Bush in the area, his cross shot went across the area evading everyone. Another half chance came in the 38^th minute when Luke Coulson on the right crossed for Kedwell who swivelled and saw his shot go just wide of the post. In the minute added on Kedwell scooped Weston’s cross over the bar.

The half time whistle went and Daryl McMahon would have to rally his troops & tell them to be a bit more ruthless with the possession they had.

The second half started with Chester buoyed  but their one goal lead taking the game to Ebbsfleet, in the 64^th minute Ashmore made up for his mistake in the first half for their goal when he saved White’s shot from 15 yards, as the ball came out Akintunde saw his goal bound shot blocked and cleared.

Ebbsfleet now had to up their game but apart from a few shots which Hornby saved easily or went wide they did not look like they would score, Chester defended well and used the counter attack.

In the 88^th minute another blow for Ebbsfleet as Bradley Bubb on the edge of the area lost control and went into Paul  Turnbull and fouled him right in front of the Referee who bought out the Red card, he will now be missing for three games.

In the second minute of added on time Weston on the right went into the area and let fly but Hornby made probably his only real save as he pushed it away.

The final whistle went and it’s back to the drawing board for Ebbsfleet but the only salvation for them to get back to winning ways is a local derby on Tuesday night against Maidstone.

Ebbsfleet United:

1. Ashmore 5. D.Winfield  6. K.Clark  7. J.Powell  8. A.Drury  9.  D.Kedwell  11. M.Weston
2. S.Shields 24. S.Magri (45)  25. L.Coulson (67)  26. C.Bush

Subs Used:   23. B.Bubb (45)  16. J.Payne (67)

Subs Not Used:  2. M.Mccoy  4. D.Rance  21. M.Jordan

Bookings:  None

Sent Off:  23. B.Bubb

Chester:

28. S.Hornby  2. A.Halls  4. K.James  6. R.Astles  8. P.Turnbull  9. H.White  17. L.Dawson
29. J.Akintunde (64) 21. T.Shaw  29. R.Hall-Johnson  31. J.Gough

Subs Used:  10. R.Hannah (64)

Subs Not Used:  1. A.Lynch  15. N.Bell  18. J.Jones  36. Dudoh

Bookings:    2. A.Halls (16)   10. R.Hannah (90+5)

Referee:    Mr A.Young

Assistant Referees:    Mr M.Holmes  &  Mr M.Carmichael

4^th Official:    Mr C.Felton

Att 1389