The Fleet were left rueing missed chances opening their 2018-19 National League campaign with defeat at home to Chesterfield by a solitary goal to nil at a sun-drenched Kuflink Stadium.

After last season’s play-off finish this was sure to be a test of their close season preparation against one of the two relegated sides from The Football League with both sides predicted to do well this campaign.

The Fleet began the most assured with front-man and talismanic captain Danny Kedwell at the heart of the action, although he found early exchanges tough as The Spireites recognised the danger by doubling up on him.

However Kedwell showed his strength as in the opening ten minutes he shrugged off the close attention to get a shot in on goal from range only to see visiting ‘keeper Shwan Jalal hold the ball comfortably and untroubled.

After good work by Myles Weston on The Fleet’s left-hand side Kedwell this time found space in the penalty area but harmless side-footed wide of the target.

Midway through the half Ebou Adams got on the end of an inviting cross on the right-side by Andy Drury but, despite Jalal motionless on his goal-line, The Fleet man saw his header come crashing back off the underside of the crossbar – Kedwell looping the loose ball onto the roof of the net.

Weston was getting great joy on the left-side in the opening half and in once again beating his man, drilled the ball across goal but it had such force Kedwell was unable to control it, heading wide of the far post.

The Spireites, perhaps buoyed by a half-time telling off, came out for the second period with more purpose and almost took the lead within two minutes of the restart.

Zavon Hines saw his curling free kick low to Ashmore’s left parried by The Fleet’s custodian with full-back Bradley Barry first to react to the loose ball but lacked composure in blazing over the bar.

The Fleet’s response was immediate as Kedwell took advantage of miscommunication by the visitors back line and Jalal to get his foot to the ball ahead of the advancing ‘keeper but saw his goal-bound effort hacked clear off the goal-line.

Just shy of the hour-mark Corey Whitely struck a half-volley from fully twenty yards but two Spireite defenders threw themselves at the ball to avert the danger as Jalal scrambled across his goal only to see the ball trickle just wide of his left-hand post.

However for The Fleet the game began to turn with the introduction of veteran front-man Marc-Antoine Fortune by Martin Allen, signed only the day before the season’s curtain raiser.

Hines found fortune with the introduction of the striker as he began to link up well and in finding space on the left-side Charlie Carter, diving in, was unable to stretch far enough and get the elusive touch when in front of goal.

Moments later however came the decisive match-defining play as Hines and Fortune linked up o the edge of the penalty area with the former sent crashing to the ground – The referee with an easy decision to point to the spot.

Hines stepped up and coolly slotted the ball home, sending Ashmore the wrong way sending the vocal support behind the goal wild.

Despite plenty of the game remaining the introduction of Fortune tilted the game in the visitors favour as the front-man used his strength and experience to fend off challenges and keep possession.

Although no more dangerous than they had been throughout in the final third, The Spireites were well-drilled and organised as The Fleet struggled to get the ball from their opponents yet when they did they were then unable to put Jalal under the kind of pressure seen earlier during proceedings.

The Spireites were thus able to comfortably see out the game and take maximum points.

A disappointing result for The Fleet on opening day but plenty of positives to take from it although the key to success this season will be in putting away the chances they create.

And they won’t have to wait too long to remedy today’s defeat as they face a midweek fixture away to Leyton Orient, another former league team and one, like Chesterfield, tipped to do well this season.

 

Ebbsfleet: Ashmore, King, Magri, Adams (Cheek, 60), Kedwell ©, Drury (Powell, 72), M. Weston, Payne, Whitely, Bush, Wilson (Shields, 67)

Sub not used: Miles, McQueen

 

Chesterfield: Jalal, Ugwu (Fortune, 55), Evans, Smith (Maguire, 68), C. Weston, Nelson, Hines, Barry, Talbot, Weir © (Muggleton, 83), Carter

 Subs not used: Wedgbury, Shaw

 

Referee: Sam Allinson

Asst Referees: Scott Williams & Michael Smith

Fourth Official: Tom Fell

 

Att: 2,041

Photo supplied by Dave Plumb