WESTON’S GEM SENDS DRAGONS TO BOTTOM
WREXHAM boss Dean Keates saw his side fall to the foot of the National League after their long wait for an away win continued.
The Red Dragons haven’t won on the road since mid-April and they hit rock bottom after a spectacular Myles Weston winner for Ebbsfleet in the second half.
“The expectations of this football club are to be (up there) challenging, to be sat bottom of the league is nowhere near good enough,” said Keates.
“It needs addressing, it will be addressed. The lads are gutted. You look at the squad on paper and there’s talented players in there but they need to step up and give everything for the club.
“We cannot dominate the way we did and concede two sloppy goals.
“The first goal took two deflections and went in for an own goal which typifies our luck at the moment. The only way it will change is to keep working hard.”
Ebbsfleet, keen to bounce back from their worst defeat of the season at Barnet in midweek, started brightly with Alfie Egan heading over from Weston’s far-post cross.
They went ahead in the tenth minute when the lively Tomi Adeloye ran at Wrexham skipper Shaun Pearson in the penalty area before finally crossing into the six-yard box, where the unfortunate James Jennings could only turn the ball into his own net.
Wrexham got back on level terms just past the half-hour with a clever free-kick. Bobby Grant’s cross was nodded down and Kieran Kennedy produced an assured finish from inside the area.
The visitors then dominated possession and it needed a timely challenge by Fleet captain Jack King on the stroke of half-time to deny Grant a clear run on goal.
Wrexham carved out a series of chances early in the second half but were guilty of failing to work home keeper Jordan Holmes.
Jennings’ cross was headed over by Grant, Omari Patrick fired over from distance and Asil Wright failed to direct his header on target.
Ebbsfleet made them pay by scoring what proved to be the winner 16 minutes from time – with the only attempt on target in the second half. Weston’s corner was headed straight back out to him and the Fleet wide man hit a delightful first-time shot beyond hapless keeper Rob Lainton.
Fleet held on to record their first home win under Kevin Watson, although he declined to bask in the glory with post-match duties handed to assistant manager Tristan Lewis.
“It was all about the response,” said Lewis. “Some strong words were said at Barnet. It wasn’t pretty because everyone knew how important the game was. It’s a massive three points.”