The Fleet got their season off to a perfect start with a hard fought but deserved 2-0 win against Concord Rangers at Stonebridge Road on Tuesday night.

After sitting out of the opening weekend due the close-season demise of Salisbury City the hosts opened up their campaign against a Concord side that had won on the opening day and found themselves top of the table.

After a lacklustre opening 4 5mins it came to life in first half injury time – five minutes added after the visitors lost two of their back four to injury in the opening twenty minutes – the visitors’ Gary Ogilvie found space on the left edge of the penalty area but Fleet’s ‘keeper Preston Edwards was equal to it diving to his left to palm the shot away.

The Fleet had a chance of their own soon after with Charlie Sheringham unable to get ball out of his feet after good work by Matt Godden getting to the by-line and finding his strike partner in the box.

From the resulting clearance Jordan Chiedozie beat the advancing Edwards to the ball on the right edge of the penalty area but could only watch as his goal-bound effort came off the post and subsequently cleared by The Fleet’s defence.

In the final action of the half and a frantic five minute spell, Captain Daryl McMahon saw his curling left foot effort, heading for ‘keeper Jamie Butler’s top right hand corner, clawed over.

The visitors started the second half the better with Ogilvie’s free kick from just outside the penalty area clipping the roof of the net shortly after half time followed by a greater scare on the hosts goal when Steve Cawley’s long range effort over the stranded Edward’s fell just wide of the post – The Fleet being caught out by a quickly taken thrown in on the half-way line on the left hand side.

Just after the hour mark the hosts’ frustration continued to show with Kenny Clark fortunate to only be shown a yellow card when kicking out at Concord’s Chiedozie just inside the visitors’ half.

The Fleet then broke the deadlock – Anthony Cook shielded the ball well inside his own half and after taking on and passing three opponents, McMahon took on the loose ball and scored from just outside the penalty box, placing the ball low to ‘keeper Butler’s left.

With ten minutes remaining the impressive Cook curled a right footed effort just over the crossbar and shortly after The Fleet secured the three points – After great work in the attacking third involving McMahon and Cook linking up well, Charlie Sheringham coolly placed the ball under the ‘keeper and into the back of the net.

 

Ebbsfleet United: Edwards, Sessegnon, Palmer, McMahon ©, Acheampong, Clark, Osborn (Johnson, 89), Fraser (Corcoran, 53), Sheringham, Godden, Cook (Huke, 83)

Subs Not Used: Hall, Harrington

Goals: 67 (McMahon), 82 (Sheringham)

Concord Rangers:Butler, Goodacre, Glozier, Woodyard, King © (White, 12), Lampe (Cowley, 20), Gardner, Ogilvie, Chiedozie (Taffe, 66), Collins, Cawley

Subs Not Used: Cleaver, Stokes

Referee: Mr Lee Venmore

Assistants: Mr Oli Dolton and Mr David Smart

Att; 1,046