Two teams aiming for promotion from the National League South shared the points when Ebbsfleet United entertained Dorking Wanderers.

Although the Fleet had late opportunities, had it not been for goalkeeper Louie Moulden, they would have been beaten long before then as the visitors impressed with their quick passing and clever movement.

After the game, Ebbsfleet manager Dennis Kutrieb gave his thoughts. “I think everyone who was here could see an intense game, high quality, good passing and drills from both sides.” He said. “I’m a little bit disappointed because I really wanted to win the game. (In the) last spell of the game we had two really good chances to get the lead very late in the game. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen.

Kutrieb had to admit that Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Louie Moulden, on loan to the Fleet, had an outstanding game. He said “We had a good goalkeeper today, and when you have a goalkeeper who is man of the match it means he made some great saves. He was really good for us today, and he kept us in the game. 

“I’m not stupid. We take the draw, maybe a fair reflection of the game but, as I said, I’m a little bit disappointed because I would love to get the winner late in the game with the two good chances which we had.”

Looking back through how the game progressed, Kutrieb said “I think first half we played really good so first half we had big pressure. We had good spells. We had good chances with Shaq (Shaquile Coulthirst) over this side. If he hits the target, maybe it’s a goal. I thought first half it was very good. I thought second half they were better. 

“We came out after half time, and they put a little more pressure on us. They didn’t let us play like we could play in the first half so I would say that the second half was more complicated for us to play. First half, I was happy how we played, how we kept the pressure many, many times and there was enough space to go in behind. A great pass from Shaq and a nice finish from Rake (Rakish Bingham), so that was a good goal but when you want to win a top game you need to score your goals when you have the chances so the one with Shaq in the first half and then late in the second half with Dom (Dominic Poleon). If we score them maybe we have exactly the winner that we wanted to have but maybe it’s a fair reflection with a one-one draw.”

Playing against Dorking was always going to be a challenge. “You could see that they’re a great side so they’re definitely up there for a reason.” He said. “But if we want to be up the table as well, you need to win these games and that’s what we haven’t done today. 

“Regardless from our performance, I’d love to get the right result and the three points. The boys put a great shift in, they worked really hard. Everyone together as a team. We just conceded one goal. They’ve scored more goals than us and that means a lot because we have already scored many goals so if we have a team in the league who have scored more goals than us, it means they are really good up front and we just allowed them to score one goal so I think tomorrow, maybe I’m a little bit more happy about a point, today I’m not, but maybe because I’m in football and I want to win always.”

Next weekend, Ebbsfleet host Hungerford Town but Kutrieb isn’t reading anything into their success there earlier in the season. He explained “It doesn’t mean anything. When we won there, it was a long time ago so they will come here with confidence. I’ve heard that they had a win today, finally. They’ve struggled a little bit but now they have a win, so they’ll come with confidence. It’s a completely different game than today so they’ll be up for it.”

He will also be looking at which players he has at his disposal. “We need to see how everyone us, how fit everyone is, if we have injuries.” Kutrieb continued. “You could see some of our boys limped off after, I don’t know, sixty minutes or whatever it was, so we need to see who is available and we go again next Saturday. I’m happy that we can have another home game. Now we have time to rest, then we get prepared for Hungerford.”

Finishing in the top three allows a bye week in the play-offs so Kutrieb will be wanting to apply pressure to the clubs who are currently holding those places.” We’ve eight games to go.” He said “We need to pick up points, as many as possible. Maidstone won again today, Dorking with a draw, Dartford won so they made their wins, and we have to make sure that we make our wins as well. If someone else is struggling, we need to be there and that’s all we can do.”

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.