Dover Athletic’s remarkable away record continued in their final away League game of 2019 as Michael Woods first goal for the club condemned Ebbsfleet United to starting 2020 in the National League’s relegation places.
It was as tough a Kent derby as you could really have expected as the Fleet looked to reduce the gap between themselves and safety whilst the Whites travelled up the A2 looking to continue the division’s best away record and boost themselves up towards the play off places.
The games only goal arrived on 14 minutes and was a goal good enough to win any game and a goal that Andy Hessenthaler himself would have been proud.
Wearing the number eight shirt that his manager graced himself through his career, Hessenthaler was leaping to his feet as Woods crashed the ball home from the edge of the box as the Fleet failed to clear.
Dover were very happy with their start as the Fleet struggled – Gozie Ugwu shot over as he cut inside; Andre Blackman’s angled drive was touched away by Dover keeper Yusuf Mersin before the ever threatening Myles Weston’s free kick found the wrong side of the side netting.
To be fair every time Weston got the ball, Ebbsfleet looked threatening going forward and so when he limped out of the game on 56 minutes, many of the home faithful feared that the home side would really be up against it. But such is the improving belief in this Ebbsfleet squad they believe they can get out of the difficulties they’re currently staring at.
After Inih Effiong had been denied right at the start of the second half by a really brave and well timed save by home keeper Jordan Holmes, it was Ugwu’s turn in similar circumstances to race away and to be fantastically denied by Holmes as the tried to round him.
Ebbsfleet continued to probe and Mersin made a tremendous save to deny substitute John Goddard’s volley before only Alex Reid will know how he cleared the bar as he slid in to meet a cross.
Reid and Ugwu were then again denied as the visitors got more and more stretched but the Fleet just could not find a way through as Kevin Lokko and Will De Havilland held firm magnificently at the heart of the away defence yet still it was a question of what might have been if Ugwu had been able to take either of two glorious late chances.
Bragging rights head then to Crabble as Hessenthaler’s side move back to within two points of the play offs whilst Kevin Watson will look to build on this performance as the Fleet will look to achieve the six points that are currently adrift of safety.
EBBSFLEET UNITED – Jordan Holmes, Jack King, Avo Obileye, Andre Blackman, Gozie Ugwu, Myles Weston (John Goddard 56), Frankie Sutherland (Josh Umerah 76), Tyler Cordner, Marvel Ekpiteta, Alex Reid (Tomi Adeloye 75), Josh Payne
Subs not used – Harry Palmer, Jamie Grimes
DOVER ATHLETIC – Yusouf Mersin, Josh Passley, Bobby-Joe Taylor, Kevin Lokko, Will De Haviland, Jai Reason, Michael Woods, Inih Effiong, Nassim L’Ghoul (Anthony Jeffrey 68), Jack Munns (Ade Yusuff 59) Ricky Modeste (Steven Rigg 71)
Subs not used – Kurtis Cumberbatch, Lee Worgan
REFEREE – Mr D Bourne