Ebbsfleet United manager, Darryl McMahon, was forthright following his side’s 2-1 Boxing Day derby defeat to local rivals, Dartford; a result that sees the Fleet remain in third place in the National South table, 10 points behind leaders Maidenhead United, and only now one point in front of the Darts who also have a game in hand. 

He said immediately “that 15-20 minute period after half-time killed us.  Two mistakes by us defensively has cost us and from there on it was always going to be an uphill struggle.”

It was a result that hurt McMahon more when he learned that the other top four sides had also lost today, so an opportunity to close the gap
to Maidenhead had been lost.  But he admitted “today we weren’t good enough to get the three points.  I’m disappointed with the result, but
we’re still in a very strong position.  We don’t get carried away with a win, a loss, or anything, as there’s always another game next Sunday.
We’re in a position to go and attack teams.  We’ve been on a great run before today – I think it was 28 out of 33 points – so that’s not too
bad.”

“We had a lot of the ball but didn’t put too many into the box.  The result was more down to errors from us rather than (Dartford) pulling
away from us.  Dave Winfield has held his hands up for mistakes on both goals, which has been really unlike him this season, but they have come at crucial times of the game and given them something to hold onto.”

“Today was the perfect game to come into (after Dartford’s 5-0 defeat at Maidenhead last time out); local rivals, a Boxing Day derby, and all
the circus that seems to go around Ebbsfleet.  But I thought they were a very good side.  They defended very well.  Tony (Burman) has got a very good team there and he’s a terrific manager.”

Anthony Cook scored a thunderbolt of a consolation goal with ten minutes remaining, which means the Ebbsfleet manager is looking forward to the chance to meet Dartford again on New Year’s Day at Stonebridge Road.  McMahon said “I think we will start with a clean sheet and go again.  We were on the front foot for the last 20 minutes today and hopefully we can take this into the game.  We’ve been good at home, playing with plenty of intensity, and we need to do that again.”