ACE REISE LET OFF HIS LEASH
DARYL McMahon heaped praise on Ebbsfleet United new boy Reise Allassani after starring in his side’s impressive return to form at lowly Dagenham & Redbridge.
A brace from Danny Kedwell and another from defender Chris Bush sealed the three points for Fleet despite a consolation goal from debutant Shamir Mullings at Victoria Road.
But it was the display of Fleet debutant, Allassani, which really caught the eye, just hours after the former Dulwich Hamlet youngster had completed his loan switch from Coventry City.
“He was outstanding,” McMahon commented. “I think he’s a player that’s destined for higher leagues obviously, and we’re looking forward to having him and must thank Coventry for letting us having him. He showed his team-mates and the fans what he is about. We performed really well, from the fourth minute I thought we were excellent, and probably could have had a bigger score by half-time.”
Bush opened the scoring in the fifth minute when he nodded home a Corey Whitely corner after a dominant opening spell from the visitors.
Kedwell doubled the lead just after the half-hour, ramming the ball home at the near post from Myles Weston’s cross after good link-up play between Whitely and Ebou Adams.
The hosts pulled one back three minutes before half time through Mullings, firing into the roof of the net from close range in his first match since making the switch from Maidstone.
The comeback, however, was shortlived when Ebbsffleet were awarded a penalty on 56 minutes – Ben Goodliffe pulling down Whitely as he attempted to latch onto a through ball from substitute Jack Powell. Goodliffe was sent off and experienced striker Kedwell slotted it into the bottom left corner.
Dagenham boss Peter Taylor said: “I think you’re always disappointed when you don’t win a match, but as long we try as hard as we possibly can you accept a defeat, and at times you’ve got to try and deserve to win.
“I don’t think we deserved to win today to be honest with you, I thought Ebbsfleet started the game much better than us, and much more determined than us so that was disappointing.
“In the end we got back into the game to give ourselves a chance but then we weren’t good enough to take it on and then we had a man sent off which didn’t help the situation.” STAR MAN: Reise Allassani (Ebbsfleet) ATT: 1,225 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Gary Parsons 6/10