Ebbsfleet United continued to show their title credentials as the league leaders hit their opponents for six at Stonebridge Road.

The visitors will have gone into the game harbouring their own play-off and promotion ambitions but given a stern message to put doubt on those prospects.

In an accomplished team performance The Fleet saw six different players get their names on the score-sheet whilst ‘keeper Nathan Ashmore was a mere spectator.

In a stop-start opening period it was the league leaders who looked the most assured and composed –The visitors’ defence looking nervy.

And it was those nerves that gifted Charlie Sheringham an early opening (10) but his ‘goal’ was ruled out for offside after The Fleet had dispossessing The Tudors at the back

Sheringham and strike-partner Danny Kedwell were a constant menace to The Tudors’ back-line as the former again found space and in on goal but his deft lob over the advancing Butler was well cleared from underneath The Tudors’ own crossbar (23).

The pressure on the visitors’ back-line soon told, however, as Kedwell opened the scoring from the edge of the penalty area scoring low into Butler’s right hand corner – The Tudors’ defence again caught in possession as Sheringham blocked a clearance that fell straight to his strike-partners feet, the captain making no mistake.

A glimmer of light for The Tudors brought home custodian Nathan Ashmore into action for the first time just after the half-hour mark as Graeme Montgomery struck a goal-bound volley from fully 35yds – Ashmore equal to it saving with little difficulty – As it transpired this was the most stretching contribution the ‘keeper ha to make in the game.

On the cusp of half-time Sheringham again caught out The Tudors’ at the back dispossessing them and finding Sam Deering although his left-footed curling effort drifted narrowly wide of the top right hand corner.

With the second half only five minutes old The Fleet extended their lead. A marauding run into the visitors’ penalty area by Kedwell saw the ball break to Stuart Lewis who’s first time right-footed effort curled beyond Butler and settled into the bottom left-hand corner.

At two-nil down there was still plenty of time for the visitors to get back into the game with Nikolay Todorov acrobatically sending a well executed overhead kick at goal, but Ashmore had it covered watching it harmlessly float over the bar.

Brimming with confidence the hosts looked a class above their opponents but even with half an hour to go what then transpired would have been hard to believe.

The Fleet simply tore Hemel apart scoring four goals in a ten minute spell.

Kenny Clark opened up the spell tapping in unchallenged from close range from an inviting inswinging corner with Matt Fish soon adding another after excellent work linking up with Sheringham – The full-back shooting low into the back of the net.

With The Tudors on the preverbial ropes The Fleet added to their tally with another double in quick succession.

Jordan Parkes slotted home from close range after Kedwell struck the foot of the post whilst Sean Shields saw his first touch, a glancing header in front of goal, beat the hapless Butler.

The Fleet weren’t content to stop there but were unable to add to the six already on the scoreboard despite substitute Aaron McLean looked menacing and lively.

The Fleet maintain their seven-point over Kent rivals Maidstone United whilst Sutton United and Truro City are also in the mix.

The chasers all have games in hand on The Fleet but with the season coming to a close the old adage of having points on the board may now be crucial as time runs out to fit games in and recover sufficiently for the next game.

 

Ebbsfleet Utd: Ashmore, Fish, Van Den Bogaert, Lewis (Rance, 88), Acheampong, Clark, Deering (Shields, 70), Parkes, Kedwell ©, Sheringham (McLean, 70), Kissock

Subs not used: Godden, Miles

Goals: Kedwell (25), Lewis (50), Clark (63), Fish (66), Parkes (71), Shields (73)

 

Hemel Hempstead Town: Butler, Herd ©, Kelly, Bailey-Dennis, Todorov, Hickford, Wellard, Richens (Freeman, 66), Vidal (Sekajja, 57), Potton (Spring, HT), Montgomery

Subs not used: Mitchell-King, Parrott

 

Att: 1,021