The last unbeaten record in the league went as Aldershot Town beat Ebbsfleet United in a game that they controlled most of the time & this time saw out the victory.

The game nearly started with a bang as in the first minute a cross into the Aldershot area saw Dean Rance 10 yards out & on his own but his flicked header went wide, then it was Aldershot’s turn when in the 5^th minute Matt McClure’s low cross found Scott Rendell on the back post but from 6 yards his side foot shot went wide.

In the space of a minute the game changed when in the 15^th minute Darren McQueen sped down the right wing from halfway before laying the ball into the path of Rance & his shot from 20 yards was easily saved by Jake Cole, then in the next minute McClure on the left wing saw his low cross find James Rowe & from 6 yards he side footed in to give the visitors the lead.

Aldershot were now getting on top & two minutes later Chris Arthurs cross into the area was headed over the bar by McClure.

In the 27^th minute in a rare attack Jack Powell’s low cross to the near post saw McQueen’s snap shot go just wide.

Ebbsfleet suddenly got back into the game & in the 32^nd minute a Powell corner to the back post saw Danny Kedwell’s header cleared off the line & in the next minute Jack Coulson saw his shot tipped over the bar by Cole & from the resulting corner the ball was allowed to bounce & Sam Magri on the back post saw his header go wide.

In the 44^th minute Powell’s free kick 25 yards out on the right nearly caught Cole out but he was able to push it around the post.

The second half was only five minutes old when Nathan Ashmore came to Ebbsfleet’s rescue when he pushed out Jake Gallagher’s 20 yard shot to Rendell but his effort went wide.

Ebbsfleet came back & in the 53^rd minute McQueen running into the area saw his shot deflect over Cole & it was going towards the net before Callum Reynolds got back & cleared it off the line & in the very next minute McQueen latched onto a long & his shot from 20 yards went just past the post.

Now it was Aldershot’s turn to have some chances when in the 64^th minute a corner into the area found its way to Reynolds & his snap shot went just wide then three minutes they increased their lead when Rowe’s low free kick to the near post saw Rendell classically flick it past Ashmore.

Ebbsfleet to their credit kept going & had a few half chances, in the 69^th minute Danny Mills controlled the ball played to him & turned & shot from 20 yards but was saved by Cole, then in the 75^th minute Magri’s cross to the back post saw Kedwell’s header go wide & then in the 4^th minute off added on time they nearly got a consolation goal when a corner to the back post saw Kenny Clark’s downward header bounce over the bar.

The final whistle went & Aldershot came away from Stonebridge Road with a well earned victory while Ebbsfleet will have to lick their wounds look forward to Saturday’s game against Tranmere.

 

EBBSFLEET UNITED:

1. N.ASHMORE 4. D.RANCE (65) 6. K.CLARK  7. J.POWELL (73)  9. D.KEDWELL  12. A.COOK (83) 14. D.McQUEEN 16. J.PAYNE 24. S.MAGRI 25. J.COULSON  26. C.BUSH

SUBS USED: 19. D.MILLS (65)  8. A.DRURY (73)  11. M.WESTON (83)

SUBS NOT USED:  3. J.CONNORS  13. J.MILES

BOOKINGS:  NONE

 

ALDERSHOT TOWN:

1. J.COLE 3. C.ALEXANDER 9. S.RENDELL  10.M.McCLURE  16. J.GALLAGHER  17. W.KELLERMAN (83)  18. J.ROWE 19. A.McDONNELL 20. C.ARTHUR 21. G.FOWLER  22. C.REYNOLDS

SUBS USED:  26. F.ROBERT

SUBS NOT USED:  23. L.WRIGHTMAN  24. M.BOZIER  25. M.SMITH  30. E.KIRWIN

BOOKINGS:  17. W.KELLERMAN (24)

 

REFEREE:  Mr A.BROMLEY

ASSISTANTS:  Mr D.SOTIMIRIN  &   Mr C.FARRELL

4^TH OFFICIAL:  Mr I. SEARLE

ATTENDANCE: 1,402