It’s six seasons since Ebbsfleet United tasted Wembley glory in the FA Trophy, but despite an uncomfortable opening 20 minutes against Gloucester City, the home side eased their way into Monday’s draw for the Second Round; something Ebbsfleet can approach in a buoyant mood.

Ebbsfleet’s manager Steve Brown was pleased with the performance, saying “I think the goal changed the game. The first half was a bit scrappy, but the goal changed it as once you get in front, the mentality of your opponents has to change.”

“We had a chat at half-time and we’re finishing games ever so strongly at the moment as a team. There were plenty of opportunities second half to counter attack, we scored one fantastic counter-attacking goal through Michael Thalassitis, but there were more opportunities.”

” I was pleased with the second half; the first wasn’t so good.”

“We’d watched Gloucester a couple of times and made a couple of adjustments to the way we play. It did take the guys about 15-20 minutes to adapt to them and be comfortable in what we were doing.”

“The start of the game was hectic and took time to settle down, but I always thought there was better to come.”

“This squad wants to go as far as they can, this type of run can build team spirit and in every cup we will play a side I think can win a particular game.”

“It’s one game at a time at the moment, and I want to go as far as we can in this competition. I think there’s a lot to be said for taking Cup competitions seriously.”

“If we suffer later on in the League, I’ll take responsibility for it, but I don’t want us never to try to win a football game.”

Gloucester City had the better of the opening exchanges through direct running, as Joe Parker and Darren Edwards pressurised the Ebbsfleet defence, but the visitors were restricted to shots from outside the area that Preston Edwards was able to handle comfortably.

The closest that Gloucester came to troubling the Ebbsfleet keeper was following a Jordan Goddard corner that Daryl McMahon could only clear to the edge of the box, where Kirttys McKenzie fired in a shot that Edwards caught above his head.

As McMahon’s influence on the midfield grew, so did Ebbsfleet’s threat. The midfielder was pivotal as the home side started to get the ball moving through the middle of the park, leading to Michael Thalissitis directing a header onto the roof of the net from an Anthony Cook cross.

Thalassitis had a snap shot that saw Mike Green in the Gloucester goal plunge to his right to block by the foot of the post, before denying Billy Bricknell an attempt at the rebound.  Green was doing a good job covering for a defence reorganising, after losing McKenzie to an injury, as he seemed to always be well placed to cut out balls coming in from either wing.

Bricknell though made the breakthrough four minutes before the interval, from a mistake by Green.  Anthony Cook’s whipped ball from the right into the 6-yard box was aimed for the run of Michael Corcoran, but he and Green, distracted by the midfielder’s run, both missed the ball, allowing Bricknell time to control and slot into the empty net.

After the interval, Gloucester City had little answer for an Ebbsfleet side gaining in confidence by the minute, and it took only eight minutes of the second period for the home side to double their lead and make the game safe.  The goal came from a Gloucester freekick cleared to the halfway line by Chris Sessignon.  Bricknell laid the ball inside with a deft touch into the path of Thalassitis, who powered his way past challenges from Matt Coupe and Jack Harris to the edge of the area, before calmly slotting a left foot shot past Green.

Within 90 seconds, Bricknell thought he’d scored the third of the afternoon, volleying in McMahon’s cross, but the assistant’s flag disappointed the crowd.  Meanwhile, all Gloucester could manage in reply were long range efforts that Edwards handled with ease.

Stacy Long had two chances to increase the lead.  The first followed a good save by Green from Bricknell’s shot, then Long exchanged passes with Alex Osborn before lifting his shot over.  Then, Long swept an effort wide after more good work from Osborn.

Edwards pulled off his only difficult save of the afternoon, flying high to his right to turn Darren Mullings’ freekick over the bar, and the keeper anticipated well to catch Matt Liddiard’s header from a Lewis Binks corner.

These efforts were Gloucester’s last real threats, as the powerful running of Thalassitis dominated the closing minutes.  Thalassitis took on a shot of his own when Osborn may have been better placed, and Bricknell somehow missed a low cross when free in front of goal.

McMahon capped an outstanding performance with the third goal of the afternoon from a stunning 40-yard freekick.  As the Gloucester defence was organising itself, McMahon noticed Green had crept too far from his line, and fired a shot over the stranded keeper into the top of the net.

EBBSFLEET UNITED: Preston Edwards, Chris Sessignon, Aiden Palmer, Daryl McMahon, Paul Lorraine, Osei Sankofa, Stacy Long (Dean Rance 81), Michael Corcoran, Billy Bricknell, Michael Thalassitis, Anthony Cook (Alex Osborn 57).

Subs not used: Joe Howe, Brandon Hall, Grant Basey.

Goals: Billy Bricknell 42, Michael Thalassitis 53, Daryl McMahon 87.

GLOUCESTER CITY: Mike Green, Kirttys McKenzie (Will Morford 37), Lewis Binks, Matt Coupe, Jack Harris, Matt Liddiard, Jordan Goddard, Darren Mullings, Darren Edwards, Joe Parker (Scott Wilson 55), Zak Kotwica (Connor Waldon 55).

Subs not used: Nathan Phillips, Sam Turl.

Attendance: 740
Referee; Mr David Rock
Assistant Referee: Mr Jon Panconi and Mr Tom Ratherham
Fourth Official: Mr Terence Barnes