North Kent derbies are always entertaining and considering the build up for the FA Cup 4th qualifying round this was going to be no different.
Neither team were able to start their ideal eleven for a number of reasons, Dartford had strikers Adam Birchall and Matt Godden cup tied, as well as Tyrone Sterling, Kenny Clark and Jason Prior who were out with injuries, this left them starting with Nathan Collier up front on his own.
Ebbsfleet’s team was also changed from their 3-2 loss to Bishop’s Stortford in midweek, Billy Bricknell came back into the team in place of Stacy Long, Joe Howe was also left out after he injured his groin in the trip on Tuesday, Osei Sankofa took his place at right- back while Andy Pugh was cup tied, Ben May did start, but was not 100% fit after getting an infection on his foot, he passed a late fitness test before kick off.
From the first whistle it was obvious that both teams wanted to leave their mark on the opposition, with a large number of fouls coming in the opening few minutes. The first chance came for the hosts, Daryl McMahon’s free kick was deflected, it took a perfect reflex save from Alan Julian to deny the midfielder.
Julian was called up again moments after as a slip from Lee Burns left Anthony Cook with only the goalkeeper to beat, in Julian’s efforts to collect the ball from the feet of the winger he tripped Cook, leaving no choice for the referee but to give Ebbsfleet a penalty, Julian was booked for the offence. Ben May stepped up for the Fleet, but his shot was fired over the bar, leaving the sides goalless.
Ebbsfleet were given a chance to make up for May’s mistake soon after but Cook ran out of space after looking to play a one- two with Billy Bricknell, the second pass was quickly gathered up by the Darts defence.
The visitors, backed by their large away support were not going to settle for a draw and they were pressuring the Ebbsfleet midfielders very well, making Dean Rance and Daryl McMahon loose possession too many times for Steve Brown’s liking.
The Darts first good goalscoring opportunity came through some quick thinking, a corner was taken quickly to Lee Noble who then continued to place the ball across the penalty area to find Ryan Hayes, but his shot was powered over.
It took 44 minutes for either team to make a breakthrough but it was Dartford’s Noble who put his team ahead after Elliot Bradbrook’s shot was blocked by Sankofa, however, the rebound fell to Noble whose shot was deflected past a helpless Preston Edwards just before half time.
The second half was very different to the first, the pouring rain didn’t help that both teams were now a lot more aggressive, the derby has never been for the faint hearted and that tradition continued with many players sliding into tackles to win the ball.
Despite this, the host’s equalizer came from some great play in midfield between McMahon and Dean Rance, Rance found Billy Bricknell on the right wing, the striker made an inspired run outside the defence before finding Cook unmarked in the middle of the area the winger had time to take a touch before sliding his shot past Julian.
There was panic for the home fans as Shane Huke, by far the best defender all day, went down holding his ankle after making a sliding attempt to win the ball, he was unable to continue. Ebbsfleet manager Steve Brown later said that Huke is unlikely to be fit in time for the replay.
The final opportunity of the game fell to Ebbsfleet with only minutes left Anthony Cook cut inside, before unleashing a shot straight at Julian, before the goalkeeper was able to get up in time to stop May’s resulting effort.
The teams will find out who one of them will be playing in the draw on Sunday, but after that the replay will be held at Princes Park on Tuesday the 29th.
Ebbsfleet: Edwards, Sankofa, Palmer, McMahon, Lorraine, Huke (Sessegnon), Osborne (Thalassitis), Rance, May, Bricknell, Cook
Subs not used: Hall, Corcoran, Long, Phipp, Green
Dartford: Julian, Burns, Harris (Ibemere), Collier, Fry, Mitchel- King, Hayes, Noble, Bradbrook, Woodyard, Hill
Subs not used: Cornhill, Porter, Monger, Eisa, Akinwade, Forecast
Booked: Julian, Harris
Attendance: 2895