LUKE KEEPS IT COUL FOR FLEET
Worthing undone by quality
LUKE COULSON scored his first goals of the season as Ebbsfleet sidestepped a potential upset at home to in-form Worthing.
The Rebels arrived in Kent unbeaten on the road this season and having reached this stage on the back of three away wins in the early qualifying rounds.
But Fleet, who’d won only once at Stonebridge Road in eight attempts, grew in confidence after Worthing’s bright start failed to bring them a goal.
Ebbsfleet boss Daryl McMahon said: “In the first 15 minutes Worthing moved the ball really well but defensively our shape was good and we were clinical on the counter-attack.
“We stood strong after a slow start. We believed in what we were doing and then we took control of the game.
“You could almost see people getting taller, where they were growing into the performance.
“They’re good players and this was the time to go and show it.
“In the second half we were freeflowing, moved the ball well and went back to what we’re used to seeing from my team.”
Worthing, flying high in the Bostik Premier, managed to find space in the early stages and David Ajiboye was denied by Sam Magri’s last-ditch tackle when he should have scored.
Ajiboye was the Rebels’ chief threat and he fizzed a cross through the six-yard box as the visitors continued to threaten.
But two goals in nine minutes, both scored by Coulson, changed the game.
Coulson converted two rightwing crosses from Corey Whitely, who almost finished off a fine move when his leftfooted effort flew just over. Oliver Pearce drove a low shot just wide for Worthing but it was game over six minutes into the second half, when Dave Winfield powered home a header from Jack Payne’s corner.
Will Miles did well to deny Coulson his hat-trick, sliding in to block, before threading a low shot just wide at the other end.
However Miles went on to put through his own goal trying to cut out a low Myles Weston cross nine minutes from time.
The visitors should have pulled a goal back late on but Nathan Ashmore saved Ajiboye’s penalty after he’d been bundled over by Winfield.
Worthing boss Adam Hinshelwood said: “The quality in the levels showed on the day. We got into good areas countless times but didn’t work the goalkeeper. We had one shot on target and that was the penalty.
“We were brave, implemented our game plan, played some great football and took the game to them on their own patch..
“But you’ve got to take your opportunities. When you come here and you have those kind of chances, it’s important to take them. If you don’t, you leave yourself open.”