A workman like performance from Ebbsfleet ensured that they won the second leg of the festive season double against near neighbours Dartford this afternoon. 

Having lost away from home on Boxing Day, Bradley Bubb ensured that he was the toast of Ebbsfleet this New Year, as his goal moved the Fleet up to second in the League. The game overall was fairly timid considering it was a derby, with both sides vying for promotion.

Dartford could have had a dream start as in the very first minute Eliot Bradbrook put Luke Wanadio through on the left and he cut inside and his shot went past the post from 20 yards.

The game was a bit scrappy and it took until the 17^th minute before Fleet created their first chance when a quick free kick taken by Jack Powell found Andy Drury on the right and his low cross evaded everyone except Bubb but from five yards with the goal at his mercy he shot straight at keeper Deren Ibrahim.

In the 23^rd minute Keaton Wood nearly scored a goal out of nothing when his hooked clearance bounced towards the goal forcing Nathan Ashmore to tip the ball over the bar.

Dartford came back with a chance of their own when Alex Brown on the edge of the area passed out wide to Tom Gardiner who chested it down and shot just past the post. Four minutes later Sean Shields on the left saw his cross half cleared to Anthony Cook and from 10 yards he stabbed his shot over the bar.

With 41 minutes on the clock Fleet took the lead when Shields again on the left passed forward to Powell who got to the by-line before his low cross evaded everyone except Bubb and this time from two yards he shot home. In the 44^th minute Dartford could and maybe should have equalised when Tom Bonner’s long pass put Danny Harris in and he went into the area and on his own shot past the post.

The second half was like the weather a damp squib as both sides set their stall out, Ebbsfleet were content to soak up any pressure Dartford put on them whilst relying on counter attacks.

Ebbsfleet did have two half chances to extend their lead when in the 50^th minute Danny Kedwell sent his header over the bar from a corner and then a free kick from Powell in the 77th minute saw Mark Phillips head over the bar.

Ashmore in the Ebbsfleet goal did not have to make any saves but did punch a few crosses away. The final whistle went and the home supporters could go home with the bragging rights knowing their pursuit of Maidenhead continues and the Dartford supporters would go home a bit deflated but knowing they are still in contention for a promotion play off place.

Ebbsfleet:

1. N.Ashmore   2. A.Cook  3. S.Shields (69)  4. M.Phillips  5. D.Winfield  6 K.Clark  7. D.Rance
2. A.Drury 0. D.Kedwell  10. B.Bubb (76)  11. J.Powell

Subs Used:  12. M.Mccoy (69)  16. D.Mcqueen (76)

Subs Not Used: 13. J.Miles  14. S.Lewis  15. S.Deering

Bookings:  8. A.Drury (3)  6. K.Clark (36) 5. D.Winfield (45)  7.D.Rance (58)

Dartford:

1. D.Ibrahim  2. T.Gardiner (62)  3. K.Wood  4.T.Bonner  5. R.Vint  6. A.Brown (79)  7. L.Noble
2. E.Bradbrook 9. D.Ofori-Acheampong  10. D.Harris  1. L.Wanadio (62)

Subs Used:  12. A.Pugh (62)  15. T.Murphy (62)  14. R.Hayes (79)

Subs Not Used: 16. B-K Dembele  17. T.Coxall

Bookings: 9. D.Ofari-Acheampong (86)

Referee: Mr A. Dale

Assistants: Mr M.Robertson-Tant & Mr J.Packman