DOM AND THE FLEET DOMI ARE HEROES!
LEADERS Ebbsfleet made it six wins in a row after edging past fellow promotion hopefuls Havant & Waterlooville.
Dominic Poleon’s 22nd of the season and a late Franklin Domi strike sealed the points for Ebbsfleet in an entertaining game.
The Fleet even had the luxury of Rakish Bingham’s penalty brilliantly saved by Teddy Sharman-Lowe, who was outstanding for the visitors.
The on-loan Chelsea keeper produced a string of brilliant saves while Ebbsfleet goalie Mark Cousins was also on top form at the other end as Havant drew a blank having let striker Jason Prior rejoin Dorking Wanderers earlier in the day.
Havant, who made five changes from the side that won at Taunton in midweek, had the first chance in the second minute when Danny Wright played in Mo Faal, who had beaten the offside trap, but he fired his low shot wide.
Faal was a constant threat, although his silky footwork and excellent running was not matched by his finishing. It needed excellent defending by Ebbsfleet captain Chris Solly after 15 minutes to thwart Faal when he burst through one-on-one.
Ebbsfleet took the lead on 23 minutes. A lovely exchange involving Omari Sterling-James saw the ball worked inside the area and Rakish
Bingham’s cross-shot was turned in at the far post by Poleon. Havant nearly equalised immediately but Faal’s volley was straight at Cousins, who produced an outstanding save to turn over Charlie Ruff ’s free-kick.
Sharman-Lowe also showed his worth, getting down smartly to deny Poleon after the Ebbsfleet striker again linked up well with Bingham.
Another fine tackle by Solly denied Faal a clear sight of goal early in the second half and Ebbsfleet were given a golden chance to double their lead when Sterling-James was upended in the box by Joe Newton.
Bingham stepped up but Sharman-Lowe guessed right and saved. Greg Cundle was denied by Sharman-Lowe and Havant’s belief grew as they created chances at the other end. Cousins again saved well from Faal before some last-ditch defending, notably from Haydn Hollis, denied Faal and then Joe Oastler.
Poleon hit the side-netting late on before Ebbsfleet wrapped up the points when Domi had too much pace for Joash Nembhard and he stylishly finished. The result moved Ebbsfleet eight points clear at the top while it was a second successive 2-0 reverse for Havant away from home.