TIMLIN LEFT IN COLD AS FLEET HIT BY EMBARGO
EBBSFLEET manager Kevin Watson was quick to praise the character shown by his side after they played out a goalless draw with Torquay United in the wake of being placed under a transfer embargo.
Watson was unable to name new signing Michael Timlin in his side due to a seven-day embargo that was placed on the club, but he was delighted with the way that they acquitted themselves in the circumstances.
“We are under an embargo, he (Michael Timlin) was signed, his registration was put before the FA who allowed it to go through but the National League put a block on it for reasons I prefer not to go into, but it’s not down to me, it’s an internal issue regarding our club – a bill needs paying,” said Watson.
“At the moment I’m led to believe it’s a seven day embargo – that’s all I know at the minute. I can’t come out and dress it up in any other way.
“When you are fighting for your lives, I couldn’t be anything other than proud and I’m delighted with what they’ve produced today.”
His opposite number Gary Johnson felt that it was an opportunity missed for the Gulls, who still harbour hopes of making the play-offs.
“We felt that this would be a key game for us – if we had won today we could be two points off the play-offs,” said Johnson.
“At the end of the day the players didn’t do enough to win it.”
The opening exchanges saw both sides cancel each other out before Torquay finally managed to carve out an opportunity in the 25th minute, as a counter attacking move ended with Ben Whitfield curling a low shot wide from the edge of the penalty area.
Whitfield missed the target again for the Gulls on 39 minutes when he headed a Joe Lewis cross into the side netting from point-blank range.
Four minutes later, Ebbsfleet went close as leading scorer Gozie Ugwu saw a long-range effort turned behind for a corner by Torquay keeper Lucas Covolan.
A minute later, Fleet had a penalty appeal turned down, following a challenge on John Goddard by Gulls left-back Jackson Longridge that resulted in Goddard being booked for diving.
In the 62nd minute, Josh Umerah appeared to be through on goal for the visitors – however Torquay defender Gary Warren rushed back in time to clear.
The Gulls finally breached the Ebbsfleet backline on 78 minutes as Jamie Reid raced through on goal, but he was denied by the reflexes of Fleet keeper David Gregory.
Two minutes later, it was the hosts’ turn to have a penalty appeal turned out after sub Jake Andrews appeared to have been felled – as the game ended in stalemate.