An impressive second half turnaround means Ebbsfleet United remain in the Conference South title race after scoring three goals in seven second half minutes.
Daryl McMahon’s side came into the game knowing that only three points will do. With only three games remaining in their season the Fleet were top of the table, three points clear of Sutton who travelled to Margate with two games in hand of the north Kent side.
McMahon kept the same starting eleven from the 5-0 demolition of Hayes and Yeading the previous week, meaning Sean Shields retained his place on the right wing whilst Matt Godden and Danny Kedwell remained up front.
They came up against an in form Chelmsford side who, despite coming into the game in 11th, the Clarets had won all of their last three, scoring seven in the process.
Travelling south hoping for a similar result to earlier in the season when they knocked the hosts out of the FA Cup, their side included ex fleet fan favourite Billy Bricknell.
The drama began from kick off when the hosts’ defensive line was unable to bring down the initial long ball forward from kick off, allowing the ball to fall straight into the path of Bricknell.
It sat up perfectly for the ex- fleet striker, allowing him to hit a fantastic half volley over Nathan Ashmore to give Chelmsford the lead within ten seconds.
Ebbsfleet soon worked their way back into the game. Within minutes Stuart Lewis forced a save from Christian Dibble and fifteen minutes later Sean Shields did well to win the ball back high up the pitch before skiping past his marker and sliding a low shot across goal, only for Dibble to keep it out. Jordan Parkes followed up for the rebound, but he somehow missed the resulting rebound.
A scrappy first half ensued, no thanks to some questionable refereeing decisions. A powerful Danny Kedwell strike was bravely blocked by Mark Hughes before a bad back pass towards Christian Dibble forced the goalkeeper into a hurried clearance.
As the half fizzled out, there were more fouls than shots, meaning both sides went into half time frustrated, with the visitors 1-0 up after Bricknell’s early strike.
The hosts took control of the opening minutes of the second half and after only four minutes a long range effort from John Paul Kissock flew just over before an effort from Anthony Cookwas blocked from close range.
Moments later the goal Ebbsfleet were looking forfinally came. After twisting and turning past his marker, Sean Shields wiggled his way though and hit a low show across the face of goal and past Christian Dibble before nestling in the far corner.
From the next fleet attack they were able to complete the turnaround. Following his four goal rout the previous weekend, Matt Godden surged forward with the crown behind him before Danny Kedwell tapped in the rebound.
The home momentum continued, encouraged by the large crowd, Matt Godden found a way through the Chelmsford defence before going beyond Dibble to double his side’s lead. He nearly had another soon after when Jordan Parkes threaded a through ball into his path, only for the attacker to hit a left footed effort into the side netting.
Billy Bricknell, now playing against his former side for the first time this season despite the teams’ recent matchups, continued to pose a threat to the Fleet’s defence. A quick Chelmsford attack resulted in a cross falling to the striker at the far post, but he was unable to get contact.
With time running out, the hosts went on a search for a fourth. Anthony Cook continued to cause trouble for Robert Girdlestone and his cross found Stuart Lewis with two minutes remaining, but the midfielder couldn’t keep his shot down. Soon after Charlie Sheringham layed the ball off to Jordan Parkes, only for the playmaker’s long range effort to be easily held by Dibble.
The goalkeeper couldn’t do anything about John Paul Kissock’s cross soon after though, due to some lacklustre defending Charlie Sheringham was given space to collect the cross, but the substitute was unable to reach the ball as it flew across the six yard box, meaning it remained 3-1 as the referee blew the full time whistle.
Those points mean Ebbsfleet remain in the title chase. Next week they travel to second placed Sutton knowing that they need three points to stand any realistic chance of going up as champions, and Daryl McMahon knows just how important that match will be. “It’s two teams who have had terrific seasons so far.”
Ebbsfleet are also offering free travel to the Sutton game in order of ensuring a large away following for, what is likely to be, the title decider.
Ebbsfleet United: Ashmore, Fish, Van Der Bogaert, Lewis, Clark (Cook), Bonner, Kissock, Parkes, Kedwell, Godden (Sheringham), Shields (Rance)
Subs not used: Miles, Rance, Deering
Chelmsford City: Dibble, Girdlestone, Marvel Ekpiteta, Hughes, Haines, McAuley, Bridge, Prestedge, Williams (Monshejo), Bricknell, Semedo (Graham)
Subs not used: Daley, Mavin Ekpieta, Morgan
Attendance: 2,267
Pictures supplied by www.edboydenphotos.co.uk