Part 2 of Alix Dorrington's introduction to Ebbsfleet United.
Previous Meetings
United have crossed swords with Ebbsfleet on five occasions since we dropped out of The Football League in 2005, but supporters may be surprised to that we first faced each other nearly fifty years ago, when both sides were battling it out in The Southern League.
Gravesend and Northfleet, as they were known until recently, hosted the inaugural clash at Stonebridge Road on 6 September 1958. The Fleet were riding the crest of a wave, having won the Southern League the previous campaign, as Bob Thomas hit a hat-trick and, despite a consolation from Brian Moore, Jimmy Logie also bagged for Fleet to round off their 4-1 win in front of a 3,082 crowd. United faired better in the return fixture, grabbing a point in a 2-2 draw.
Due to divisional restructuring, it was three years before we'd meet again, with United gaining some revenge for previous matches as they roared to a 5-2 home win. Fleet ran out 2-1 winners in the return leg. The following season was disastrous for the Kent side. United completed the double over Billy Lane's men thanks to 4-0 and 2-0 victories, and Fleet were duly relegated.
42 Years Later
Forty-two years passed until we met again in 2005 and, unfortunately, the most entertaining thing about this encounter were the half time burgers, as the game finished a dull 0-0. The return game in January 2006 saw the standard improve slightly, but attacking deficiencies prevented both sides capitalising on a host of match-winning chances.
The game concluded 1-1 with Courtney Pitt equalising Jimmy Jackson's strike, whilst Fleet midfielder Paul McCarthy was dismissed for a professional foul [report].
Pleasantries resumed in October 2006 when we journeyed to Kent for a windswept Saturday afternoon clash which Fleet won 2-0. United's Trevor Robinson was red-carded for clearing a goal-bound ball with his hand, leaving Charlie McDonald to despatch the resultant penalty, whilst Onome Sodje scored late on rubber-stamp victory against a lacklustre United.
However, the most convincing of victories for either side since those early Southern League days was to come in November of 2006. A rare goal from Michael Gash put The U's ahead thanks to a 25-yard shot. Pitt then extended the lead two minutes after the interval, and David Bridges wrapped up the points with a 3rd goal, giving United an excellent 3-0 win [report].
The two victories were a break from form that was soon restored when the sides met again at The Abbey in the third home game of this current campaign. It was to be Ebbsfleet who took the lead, but not before Lee Boylan scrambled the ball home after Leo Fortune-West headed against the post, however the Linesman deemed Boylan offside. Shortly before the half-time whistle, Ebbsfleet breached the United defence and curled home in front the NRE.
Some resolute defending, an excellent performance from Ebbsfleet keeper Tynan and the woodwork left the match looking like it would finish 1-0 to Ebbsfleet, but substitute Michael Hyem had different ideas, driving a ferocious shot against the bar from 20 yards which appeared to bounce down over the line, prompting most United fans to go nuts, but with the referee waving play on, it was Scott Rendell who reacted quickest as he ghosted in to make sure of the last minute equaliser [report].
Alix Dorrington
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