An outstanding first half from Ebbsfleet helped them in a convincing 3-0 win over Staines Town and with promotion rivals Eastleigh not playing, they were able to close the gap between themselves and the spitfires to just one point.
The fleet came into the game, their first game since the 2-1 win at Chelmsford out of match fitness, but were helped with the news in midweek that midfielder Alex Osborne has had his loan with the club extended until the end of the season; he started in a side with just one change since that trip to Essex wit Joe Howe coming in for Chris Sessegnon at right back.
The Fleet fans also saw Shane Huke for the first time since his injury in the FA Cup game against Dartford in October, he was able to take part in a small warm up as part of his recovery but was not named among the Ebbsfleet starting eleven or substitutes.
The visitors had a familiar face for the Stonebridge Road faithful, Calum Willock started against the team which he helped to the playoff final three years ago, but after unsuccessful spells at Dover and Borham Wood he went to the Swans looking for the form which he was able to find during his time in north Kent.
After an uneventful first few minutes, Ebbsfleet’s top scorer this season, Billy Bricknell was able to convert after brilliant play from Anthony Cook on the right wing, after a low cross from the winger Bricknell was left on his own in the box, allowing the striker to power his effort underneath Jack Turner.
The visitor’s lack of communication in defence was obvious and just moments later, after a slip in Staines’ defence, Cook was tripped on the edge of the area, but Daryl McMahon’s shot could only fly over the bar.
As the hosts continued to pressure their unreliable visitors chances came and went, Osborne put a cross over the head of Bricknell before the small striker was able to control the ball and was able to lay it off to Dean Rance who, under pressure, put his shot wide.
Eventually the fleet’s luck improved, after a foul on the edge of the area Cook put a pass across the pitch, catching the Staines defence unaware, Daryl McMahon was able to curl his low shot into the corner, giving his team a two goal lead.
Moments after Ebbsfleet were able to score once again, after a cross from the left side, Jack Turner attempted to claim the ball, but as it flew over his head and Anthony Acheampong was able to head the ball into the open goal to score his first goal for his new team 38 minutes into his home debut.
Ebbsfleet’s dominance continued into the second half, seconds into the half Osborne was able to get past is marker on the right wing before pulling the ball back for Billy Bricknell, but the league’s second highest scorer blasted his shot over.
It took fifty minutes before Staines had their first major chance, but after a quickly taken free kick Stephane Ngamvoulou was able to find Sanchez Ming but the right back put his clipped shot over.
It took another ten before the visitors had their next chance, after an in swinging corner from the left the ball fell into a crowd of players, but from M’Boungou’s header Daryl McMahon was able to swipe the ball off the line to prevent the fleet’s opponents from scoring. The visitors had one final chance before the final whistle, but after Louis- Rae Beadle’s cross, Kurtis Pykes was only able to volley a shot past Preston Edwards’ left post.
Before full time Ebbsfleet could have extended their lead even more, but after some good footwork in the area, Anthony Cook found Ben May in an offside position, although the striker put the ball into the open net, the assistant referee’s flag was already up. The fleet were however, able to keep their three goal lead until the full time whistle.
That win reduces Ebbsfleet’s points difference between the top two in the Skrill south, after Eastleigh’s game was postponed and front runners Bromley lost to Dorchester the fleet are now in a great position to secure a playoff spot after they have opened a five point gap between themselves and 5th placed Bath City.
Ebbsfleet United: Edwards, Howe, Palmer, McMahon, Acheampong (Lorraine), Sankofa, Osborne, Rance, Thalassitis (May), Bricknell (West), Cook
Subs not used: Hall, Corcoran
Booked: Cook
Staines Town: Turner, Ming, Brown, Ferrell, M’Boungou, Ifil, Lodge, Ngamvoulou, Thephanous, Willock, Brown
Subs not used: Merson, Pashaj
Booked: Ming, Ngamvoulou
Attendance: 791