Super sub Jephte Tanga secured Ebbsfleet United a 3-1 win against Football League side Gillingham in the Kent Senior Cup.
Ebbsfleet’s side only contained two players who started on Saturday against Rochdale (Craig Tanner and Greg Cundle) and also had youth product Maxx Manktelow on the bench.
A youthful Gills side came into this match looking to get a result against the National League outfit.
In the opening affairs, both teams were playing how they have recently been playing like. Ebbsfleet looked to play out through the back while Gillingham were looking to find that ball in behind.
In the 5th minute, Gills earned themselves a free-kick in a dangerous position and eventually scored from the set piece. A great cross by Jonah Walker from the left hand side was delivered onto the head of Gills skipper Alex Giles who headed his original shot onto the post before scoring the rebound to give them the lead.
After the goal, Ebbsfleet looked to attack the Gills defence and get back on level terms. However, Gills were looking dangerous and pressed the Fleet high up the pitch as they looked to win the ball back and take control of the match.
Ebbsfleet looked to play out the back but Olagunju was hesitant and lost the ball leading to Josh Bayliss getting a shot off at goal which was comfortably saved by Berry in goal for the Fleet.
Gills almost made it 2 as again Ebbsfleet lost the ball out from the back which led to a cross by Gillingham make it’s way to Harry Webster who couldn’t get in front of the Fleet defender to fire home.
Ebbsfleet’s best chance came right after this as a short corner by Ebbsfleet eventually fell to defender Jack Wakely whose shot went narrowly wide from outside the box.
The Fleet were piling on the pressure as a long ball from Lawson played Cundle through on goal but his shot was excellently saved by Gills keeper Taite Holtam.
Eventually, Ebbsfleet’s pressure paid off as they were level 5 mins before half time. A cross from the left side of the pitch was attacked and finished for Cundle who fired home from close range, putting the Fleet back in the game.
HT – Ebbsfleet United 1-1 Gillingham
In the second half, Ebbsfleet carried on from how they ended in the first half. In the 55th minute, substitute Jephte Tanga dribbled past Walker who brought him down inside the box and a penalty was given to the National League side.
Jephte Tanga who won the penalty stepped up and fired home into the bottom left corner. Holtam did guess the right way but the shot was too powerful for the Gills goalkeeper.
Not too long after, Ebbsfleet made it 3. A long ball was played into Cundle who played Tanga through on goal and fired home into the corner of the net in the 62nd minute.
After that goal, the game seemed to calm down and with a few changes for Gillingham, they began to settle and were looking to get back into the game.
A shot from substitute Ben Clark was comfortably saved by Dylan Berry and palmed clear.
Ebbsfleet held on in the end and secured a place into round three of the Kent Senior Cup.
FT – Ebbsfleet United 3-1 Gillingham
Ebbsfleet: Berry, Lawson, Fonguck (Domi 46). Randall (Manktelow 46), Ondo (Dallison 67), Olagunju, Wakely (Tanga 46), Tanner, Anthony, Omole, Cundle.
Unused sub: Firth
Gills: Holtam, Gale, Giles, Dobbs (Heasman 65), Webster, Walker, Skipper, Bayliss (Clark 74), Waldock, Sargent (White 82), Bridle.
Unused subs: Sullivan, Orpwood.
Attendance: 410
Referee: Mr Nick Dunn
Assistant Referees: Paul Yates & Tyler Diminieux
Fourth Official: Steven Goldup