Ebbsfleet United began life post Garry Hill with another disappointing display, culminating in a 2-1 home reverse to Maidenhead United at the Kuflink Stadium.

Striker Josh Umerah netted his third goal in a week following a double in Tuesday nights home defeat to Torquay. However, the striker was again left frustrated as his best efforts were mere consolations to what was a horror week for the Fleet. The home side made a number of changes to the side that lost on Tuesday night, the most notable being the inclusion of on loan midfielder Albie Morgan from Championship side Charlton Athletic. The youngster played a big part in the Addicks’ push for promotion last season and is sure to be a positive asset for the Fleet in what is a sticky period for the club.

A noteable absentee from the squad was striker Alex Reid who was dropped from the squad completely due to a suspected injury problem, a loss for the fleet as Reid and Umerah had formed quite the partnership in recent weeks.

As the search for a new manager continued for the Fleet, it was down to Kevin Watson to take interim charge for the fixture. Watson watched his Fleet side go ahead after 18 minutes, a comedy  of errors from the Maidenhead back line, Clerima sold goalkeeper Dunn short. Umerah nipped in ahead of the keeper who saved the initial effort but Umerah was on hand to finish the rebound.The Fleet often struggle to gain momentum and get that important first goal in games so this Umerah effort was a weight lifted of their shoulders or so they thought.

Maidenhead responded almost immediately to their setback and set about grabbing the equaliser within seconds, a driving run from Upward was halted just outside the box by Morgan who conceded the free kick in a dangerous position for his troubles. Danny Whitehall stepped up from the set piece and drilled an effort through keeper Holmes who looked perplexed at how the strike had managed to beat him. Whitehall hit the effort with some power but the ball was struck right down the throat of the goalkeeper who will feel he should have done better. Ebbsfleet lead for a mere two minutes and were left scratching their heads back at square one.

The Kent side survived a couple of scares in order to make it to half time on level terms, Maidenhead’s Josh Kelly at the heart of both. First, Kelly reacted to a loose ball the quickest in the Fleet area to slam an effort off the crossbar following a corner which the Fleet were unable to deal with sufficiently. Secondly, The Fleet were caught out following their own corner as the visitors broke at pace and fed Kelly who attempted to round keeper Holmes but fell to the floor in the process. The Maidenhead players and staff were convinced a penalty should have been awarded and left incensed at the referee’s lack of a decision. The Fleet held on to go in at half time level.

A fire had been lit inside the Maidenhead players’ bodies as they could now smell blood and knew that three points were achievable against a Fleet side that looked devoid of creativity and composure. Morgan again proved his quality with a mazy run which saw the young man beat three Maidenhead players before crossing for Umerah only for the keeper to gather before the fleet man.

However, Maidenhead after a long spell of possession and half chances were not to be denied as Upward made the Fleet pay for poor defending inside their own area on 75 minutes. . Whitehall missed a huge opportunity initially as a ball into the Fleet box wasn’t tracked and Whitehall could only fire a free effort a goal at Jack King when it looked easier to hit the target. However, the resulting corner was delivered into the Fleet are and Upward was there to nod in what turned out to be the winner, a frustrating goal to concede considering Upward was left unmarked inside the six yard box.

Ebbsfleet just could not find that moment they needed to equalise and resorted to ambitious strikes from range and long ball tactics which were gobbled up by the Maidenhead back line with ease. The search for a new manager continues with former Gillingham boss Steve Lovell once again in attendance an appointment may not be far away.

Ebbsfleet United: Holmes, Ekpiteta (Obileye 73), Blackman, Cordner, King, Payne, Morgan, Wilson (Sutherland 82), Weston, Ugwu, Umerah (Adeloye 77).

Subs not used: Egan, Palmer

Maidenhead United: Dunn, Twumasi, Steer, Ellul, Massey, Sheckleford (Cassidy 73), Clerima, Upward, Smile (Mensah 90), Whitehall, Kelly (Akintunde 86).

Subs not used: Ashby-Hammond, Grant.

Attendance: 1,003