Ebbsfleet United welcomed Oxford City to Stonebridge Road for the last game of the season knowing that only a victory would do if they were to beat Maidenhead United to the title post, whilst hoping already relegated Margate could pick up a positive result at Hartsdown Park.

With Maidenhead winning the title after comfortably beating Margate, Ebbsfleet will have to attempt promotion through the play offs again.

Ebbsfleet made one change from the win at Maidenhead with Darren McQueen coming in for Dean Rance who took his place on the bench.

Ebbsfleet were out of the blocks fast and took the lead after 5 minutes. Drury found McQueen out on the left hand side before the striker struck low for Anthony Cook to bounce the ball in off the hard ground from 6 yards out.

Nerves weren’t getting to the hosts and Dave Winfield was spectacularly denied moments later, not once but twice, Craig Hill making a double save from Winfield’s header.

Chants of we are top of the league rung around Stonebridge Road momentarily before news filtered in that Maidenhead had taken the lead at Margate.

This appeared to cause some panic to the players as Oxford took control of the game, penning the home side back, with Kaiman Anderson shooting wide at the back post from a Godfrey Poku right wing cross.

Fleet regained control as we reached the midway point of the first half with a succession of corners, the third of which, Dave Winfield powered a header inches wide of the left hand post. Fleet were playing the ball around nicely but were being forced into efforts from range with Powell and Deering shooting wide of the target.

Ebbsfleet nearly made it 2 on 33 minutes. McCoy was fouled on the edge of the area down the inside right, leading to Andy Drury to fire a free kick against the crossbar. Oxford still posed an attacking threat and excellent defending from Kenny Clark stopped Ezra Forde from firing at goal.

As we approached half time, the Oxford keeper made his second brilliant save of the half. Andy Drury was found at the back post 3 yards out from a right wing corner and headed down low, the keeper flung himself down and palmed the ball onto the post before Poku stabbed away from McLean.

Ashmore came to the rescue as we entered stoppage time of the first half, racing out of goal to stop Kaiman Anderson from rolling the ball home from a Jefferson Louis through ball.

Fleet started the second half brightly and had the ball in the net 31 seconds into the second half, McQueen adjudged offside from McLean’s centre. In a lightning fast start to the second half, Anthony Cook was denied after latching onto a hooked ball over the defence and hooking an effort towards goal.

As news filtered around that Maidenhead had scored a second, Oxford went close, Godfrey Poku forcing Ashmore into a save behind for a corner, from the resulting corner, Jefferson Louis headed over after Ashmore had dropped the cross.

Oxford were piling on the pressure and Ashmore pulled off a great save, tipping over a Louis curling effort.

The introduction of a double substitution for the Fleet and a change of formation sprung the home side back into action, Aaron McLean heading over from Sean Shields’ cross.

The game petered out, with a real end of season feel as we entered the last 20 minutes, epitomised by Deering being allowed an eternity to choose a pass back to his centre backs.

Oxford pushed for an equaliser late on as the hosts took their foot off the pedal as Louis and Mike Fondop had efforts blocked by Mambo. Mambo was in action again as the clock ticked round to stoppage time, miraculous blocking Reese Fleet 5 yards out.

Ebbsfleet held on for the 3 points and another trip to the play offs beckons.

 

 

Ebbsfleet: Ashmore, Cook ( Shields 54), Connors ( Mambo 61), Mccoy, Winfield ©, Clark, Powell, Drury, Mclean, McQueen (Rance 61), Deering

Subs not used: Jordan, Phillips,

Yellow cards: Deering 86

Oxford City: Hill, Poku ©, Grant, Demuria ( Carvalho 64), Essuman, Niate, Fleet, Davies, Louis, Anderson ( Furlong 73), Forde ( Fondop 63)

Subs not used:  Peake-Pijnen, Daramola

Referee: Mr L Wood

Attendance: 2116