THIRD TIME LUCKY FOR PLUCKY FLEET
Ten men battle back to see off Clarets
VERDICT: After blowing it against Dover and Maidstone, Ebbsfleet got themselves over the line. But this was not about fortune. This was pure courage.
WHO needs a Paramount Theme Park when you’ve got this kind of entertainment. Pounds can’t buy you passion? Well that’s put paid to that little theory.
The Kuwaiti cash that has been in plentiful supply for the past few years at Stonebridge Road finally has some value attached to it – and Ebbsfleet were very much on the money when it mattered the absolute most at the third time of asking.
Their mega-rich owners are putting up Europe’s biggest thrill seekers’ wonderland two miles up the road, but this was all the pleasure needed for north Kent’s football faithful.
A man down seconds before the teams walked in for half-time, they found themselves staring down the barrel of a gun when Bagasan Graham’s golden moment fired Chelmsford ahead.
Daryl McMahon knew it had to be this time, with home advantage a year on from Maidstone’s penalty victory again on the club’s mind.
His players summoned something special when it looked like the club was crumbling under promotion pressure once again.
Dave Winfield – whose wife Jenna is about to go into labour – nodded in and made it 1-1 before, minutes later, Killer McQueen picked himself up from the bench and fired Fleet into the National League. At long, long last.
“It’s not about money; money is all I hear about,” McMahon said. “That wasn’t money, that’s just b ****** s. That was pure passion.
“People should talk to me about desire and the dedication of these players, because whatever people want to think about how this club is run, you cannot buy that.
“I knew even at 1-0 down with ten men that we could do it. Why? Because of our fitness levels, and how much these players really, really wanted it.
“Cash isn’t what this has all been about. I couldn’t be more proud of these boys. They didn’t stop today and we deserved to go.”
Circumstances conspired against them, but up they go. Third time lucky.
First half chances were certainly restricted. Danny Kedwell had
power but not the placement from a 30-yard free-kick.
It was the exact opposite four minutes after, with Sam Deering having escaped the off-side trap, Aaron McLean laid it off but the big Fleet frontman’s shot was powder puff.
City weren’t second best and Nathan Ashmore had to deal with defender Mark Haines’ header at his near-post. The hosts lived to fight another day from the resulting goalmouth scramble.
There was a big talking point to come before the break. When the ball strayed loose in midfield, Josh Rees got closest and Anthony Cook, the Fleet winger, went in late. Too late for referee Richard Hulme, and against his old club the red card came out.
Clarets manager Rod Stringer wasn’t covering himself in glory either, antagonising the home crowd behind his dug-out only increased tensions.
Chelmsford, who started with a three-man attack, now had a decision to make. Both man- agers did, and with two veterans leading the attack, McMahon had thinking to do.
He made his move. Energetic Jack Powell on at the break, captain Kedwell sacrificed.
The Irish manager needed things to go his way, their incredible unbeaten run which stretches back to Boxing Day under genuine threat.
They started the second half on the back foot. Chris Dickson, quick and tidy, raced clear of Winfield. Bottom corner his aim, Ashmore’s fingertip had other ideas. His gloves couldn’t keep Chelmsford out. Graham picked up the ball and ran, even being a man down could not excuse the lack of bodies around him and the wing-back saw his opportunity. After two good touches bought him a bit more space, he fired low and decisively to edge his team in front. Stringer was somewhat calmer as the ball hit the net than he was in the first half ’s final moments. There would still be chances for the hosts. Deering, now playing just off McLean, is better than his near-range miss from Dean Rance’s centred pass. Much better. Did that knock his confidence? Forget it. Deering’s wizardry on the left, Winfield took advantage of the winger’s wand to head home perfectly into the bottom corner. Getting goal side, the centre-half punished his opposite numbers.
They weren’t done yet as the ten found courage; substitute McQueen minutes later in exactly the right place six yards out to poke in Drury’s cross and send Stonebridge Road’s ancient fixtures and fittings to near collapse.
“We ain’t finished yet” screamed Stringer. Sadly for the Clarets, the courageous ten held firm.
He said: “It wasn’t to be our day and, I’m gutted. We’ve had a very good season and we wanted to end it on a high. Ebbsfleet found something extra at an important time and we couldn’t find an equaliser.”