After the FA cup draw this game was looked at as a standout match, Folkestone, who hadn’t lost a league match since the first week of September were drawn against Ebbsfleet United, the surprise team in the Skrill South for all the wrong reasons, who hadn’t won in the league since late August.

If there was going to be a cup upset this weekend it was probably going to happen at Stonebridge Road.

Ben May was came back into the fleet’s squad for his first competitive game of the season after two months of sitting out with a back injury, he replaced Cambridge loanee Andy Pugh who was asked by the U’s for him to not play in order to avoid him becoming cup tied. Tom Phipp was also given a rare start.

Despite the two teams’ recent form, it was the fleet who started better and had their first chance within seconds. A mix up in the Invicta defence gave the fleet a corner, Billy Bricknell’s quick shot was saved by the visitor’s young goalkeeper, Tom Hadler.

Hadler was kept busy during the first few minutes and it wasn’t long before Ebbsfleet found a way past the goalkeeper. Fleet winger Anthony cook was given space to run before Folkestone full- back Nat Blanks was unable to keep him at bay, having to resort to giving away a foul in a dangerous area. From the right corner of the penalty area Ebbsfleet’s influential midfielder Daryl McMahon put a dangerous cross into the area which no-one was able to reach, the ball curling across Hadler and all the way in.

Anthony Cook was one of the standout performers for Ebbsfleet in the first half, the fleet’s midfield looked comfortable with passing the ball out to the right wing and letting him run at Folkestone’s defence.

Folkestone weren’t given many opportunities therefore they needed to take the ones they were given, their only major chance came soon after the goal Paul Stevenson was given time to take a cross into the Ebbsfleet area, a number of players tried to latch onto the loose ball, however after a goal line scramble Aiden Palmer was able to relieve the pressure.

Despite this scare, Cook was given the ball again and the winger once again ran at the Nat Blanks, he then cut outside and put a cross into the area intended for Ebbsfleet’s striker Billy Bricknell, Bricknell was able to adjust his body to get a shot away, but his header grazed the outside of the post.

The seasiders’ defence was struggling to contain Bricknell and Cook so decided to play the offside trap, however Osei Sankofa, the fleet’s right back was able to take advantage of Folkestone’s high defensive line after he was found on an overlapping run, holding the ball up he found Cook charging towards the near post but the wingers shot was mishit and wasted.

Folkestone’s best opportunity to score in the first half came through Steve Harper, a corner was easily cleared by the Ebbsfleet defence, but after some quick passing around the edge of the penalty area the ball fell to Harper. His shot would have been perfect if it hadn’t taken a deflection, the striker’s shot curled around Preston Edwards’ goal and another chance for the underdogs had gone.

The home team soon came back and they had another huge chance after another goal line scramble, Daryl McMahon’s cross fell into a crowd of players, somehow Paul Lorraine found some space and hammered a shot at the Invicta goalkeeper who did well to keep it out.

The home team’s last chance of the first half came from a long goal kick, Ben May was able to control the ball onto his chest before shielding away his marker to give his striking partner, Bricknell some space, his first time half volley was wide, but it did give the home fans a reason to look forward to May’s return, the partnership between the two strikers was obvious; with more match practice Ebbsfleet may be a force to be reckoned with when attacking.

The final chance of the first half came during the single minute of additional time when, after another Ebbsfleet attack, Folkestone were given space to go forward, however Dane Luchford’s driven shot was put just wide.

The away team dictated the early second half, however, to the delight of fans all around Stonebridge road, the referee fell to his knees injured, however, he was able to carry on after being given treatment.

Ebbsfleet’s first chance of the second half came through Anthony Cook who was put through because of Ben May’s strength, the wingers powerful shot was well tipped over by Hadler.

Ben May’s injury troubles seemed to haunt him again as he went down after minimal contact from a Folkestone defender, thankfully for the fleet fans he was able to continue.

Soon after, Folkestone gave the home team a scare, there was some good play from their experienced midfielder Michael Everitt as he was able to chip a pass over the top of Sankofa into the path of Luchford. Leaving Preston Edward helpless, he was able to get a shot away which trickled across the six yard box and onto the post, the ball was then hurried away by the Ebbsfleet defenders.

Folkestone were beginning to get the better of the possession and the home fans knew it, every misplaced pass in midfield was met by groans all over Stonebridge road. Despite this, the Ryman South team were unable to make anything from their time on the ball.

Despite this lack of possession, Ebbsfleet were gifted two chances from bad passes in midfield, the first fell to Anthony Cook, who was put through after a long ball from Dean Rance, however, his pace got the better of him and he was the victim of a controversial offside.

The second major chance for Ebbsfleet in the second half came from McMahon winning possession in midfield, he found Cook on the right wing who put a delightful cross in towards Ben May, however, Invicta’s Josh Vincent was able toclear the ball away for a corner.

The final chance of the game fell to Billy Bricknell, who was given too much space from a corner. He was able to control the ball well, only to have his shot expertly blocked by Frankie Chappell.

However, this was Bricknell’s final effort on goal, for the final few minutes he looked lost without Ben May who had been substituted for Stevenage loanee Michael Thalassitis.

At the full time whistle Ebbsfleet were relieved to have finally won a game again, however it was in no way convincing. The defence looked shaky and inconsistent, and the second half was not good enough for a team who are expected to get promoted this season. They will now focus on their next league game, away at Western- Super- Mare, before that they have a Kent Senior Cup match away to Sittingbourne.

Folkestone can come away with a lot of positives. Despite the defeat they frustrated their opponents, young goalkeeper Tom Hadler had a good game and could not be blamed for the goal, whilst Johan Ter Horst is coming through the ranks at the club, the highly respected winger played for the final five minutes and looks to be something special.

The seasiders currently sit in 21^st and still have to play two games to play compared to the teams around them. They now need to concentrate on another cup game, the FA trophy game against Waltham Forest, their next league game will be a difficult away trip to Hastings, who sit in 3^rd in the Ryman League south.

Ebbsfleet line up: Edwards, Sankofa, Palmer. McMahon, Lorraine, Huke, Cook, Rance, May (Thalassitis 66), Bricknell, Phipp (Green 59).

Subs not used: Hall, Howe, Fakinos.

Folkestone line up: Hadler; Vincent, Friend, Chappell, Blanks; Stevenson, Edge (Ter Horst 84mins), Everitt (Dryden 77mins), Newman; Luchford, Harper.

Subs not used: Austin, Tamfing, Egan, Hayward.

Att: 737