An early second half goal from Anthony Cook ensured Ebbsfleet United a place in the FA Trophy First Round after they beat Hendon 1-0 at The PHB Stadium.

Daryl McMahon took the manager’s position at Stonebridge Road on Thursday after Steve Brown left the club following his team’s 3-0 defeat at home to Gosport Borough earlier in the week.

Brown left the club after the club’s owners thought it was the right time for a change with McMahon, the Club’s academy manager and midfielder taking over the role with Steve Gritt remaining as the Assistant Manager.

Despite the difference in leagues between themselves and Hendon it wouldn’t be an easy game for the team, Hendon sat in third place in the Ryman Premier League and had only lost 5 competitive games all season.

McMahon made four changes from Brown’s side who lost 3-0 in midweek, he replaced himself with Michael Corcoran, started Billy Bricknell in the place of Charlie Sheringham, took out Brendan Kiernan for Matt Johnson and swapped Shane Huke with Anthony Acheampong in defence as they hoped to contain ex- fleet striker Kezie Ibe.

The hosts tried to dominate possession in the opening moments of the game and had the first chance of the game just two minutes in but Anthony Cook’s free kick went inches wide after Matt Johnson was tripped on the edge of the area.

Minutes after a quick counter attack from Hendon left the high Ebbsfleet defensive line stranded, some quick passing from Dave Diedhiou and Kezie Ibe allowed Andre Da Costa to get through on the left side before hitting his shot just wide.

The first half continued with the high tempo but quick counter attacks turned into two footed challenges as the game began to turn ugly as chances between the two teams were limited.

With only five minutes left in the first half the game began to open up again, after a mix up in the Hendon defence Anthony Cook’s corner was met by Kenny Clark at the far post but the defender was only able to steer his header wide. Just before half time Ebbsfleet appeals for a penalty were turned down after Anthony Cook was tripped in the area meaning the teams went into half time with no goals between them.

Within just five minutes of the second half beginning Ebbsfleet were able to take the lead, after a through ball into the path of Joe Howe on the left wing was taken by the full back Howe continued down the wing before hitting a shot which was parried into the six yard box, after Hendon were unable to clear the ball away it fell to Anthony Cook whose deflected shot rolled in after Ben McNamara dived the wrong way to give Ebbsfleet the lead.

Cook had a chance to double his team’s lead eight minutes after but after a pass directed for Matt Godden was picked up by the attacker on the right wing his low cross was too far in front of Cook’s stretched leg.

Hendon kept looking for opportunities throughout the second half with over 60 minutes gone they had their best chance since the first half when Sam Murphy’s free kick was agonisingly close to a number of attacking players but nobody was able to convert for the visitors.

Moments after an Ebbsfleet corner was whipped in by Cook but Matt Godden was unable to keep his header down from two yards out. Godden continued to look for chances and reached a loose ball after McNamara was unable to hold a shot by Anthony Cook but the goalkeeper got up well to ensure Godden couldn’t convert the rebound.

The visitor’s defensive mistakes continued and after failing to clear a pass into the area Kenny Clark was given a chance from within the penalty area but the defender dragged his shot wide.

Despite their defensive frailties, Hendon kept looking dangerous as they pushed forward, with twelve minutes left in the game Kezie Ibe was able to hold the ball up brilliantly but his shot towards the far post was bravely headed away by Clark.

Hendon’s search for an equaliser continued and their best chance of the game came within five minutes of the final whistle; a long ball from midfield fell into the path of two oncoming attackers but England C goalkeeper Brandon Hall did well to grab the ball before either player could reach it, a vital block by Clarke minutes later followed to confirm Ebbsfleet’s place in the first round proper of the FA Trophy.

After a difficult game for the Fleet, Daryl McMahon praised his Ebbsfleet team for succeeding after a difficult week for the squad, “these were a couple of changes from Tuesday and they responded brilliantly”. “It’s been a tough week, I was close to Browny, training during the week was sombre as we were all very close to him. There was a bit of surprise because of our position in the table but the lads have responded brilliantly”.

Mahon also talked about how the team have developed from using Steve Browns regular 4-4-2 formation into the interim manager’s 4-3-3 “It’s a formation I like and I use with the youth squad and it’s a formation I like, we got some good moves together and I think it worked well”.

Ebbsfleet will now look to take momentum from this win into their league campaign, they travel to Maidenhead next weekend before their Trophy run continues, they will find out their opponents in the next round on Monday.

 

Ebbsfleet United: Hall, Sessegnon (Huke), Howe, Corcoran, Acheampong, Clark, M Johnson, Rance, Godden, Bricknell, Cook

Subs not used: Hughes, palmer, C Johnson, Sheringham

Booked: Howe, Johnson

Hendon FC: McNamara, Seeby, Sprague, Fisher, Braithwaite, McLaren (Taggart), Murphy, O’Leary, Da Costa (Smith), Ibe, Diedhiou (Aite- Ouakrim)

Subs not used: Dean, Morgan

Booked: McLaren, Fisher

Attendance: 676