LAST-GASP DOM’S THE DESTROYER FOR FLEET
EBBSFLEET made it four league wins in a row thanks to substitute Dominic Samuel’s late winner.
A keenly-fought game looked to be heading for a draw until Samuel fired beyond keeper Tiernan Brooks in the second minute of stoppage time.
It maintained Ebbsfleet manager Danny Searle’s dream start to life in the Stonebridge Road hotseat as they’re now six games unbeaten since he replaced Dennis Kutrieb.
“It was a really tough game,” admitted Searle. “They’re a really good side and they showed the quality they’ve got on the ball.
“I don’t think anyone can say we didn’t deserve the three points. You get to a stage where you think ‘let’s take a point and keep the unbeaten run going’ but we’ve got players who can come on and finish a game for us and that’s what Dominic Samuel did.
“We only made one mistake in the first half from a defensive perspective and we got punished, which is full credit to Rochdale. We showed great character and we stepped up another level in the second half.”
A first half of few chances saw the home side capitalise on an error by Rochdale keeper Brooks to take the lead on 15 minutes.
Brooks’ pass out of defence under pressure from Rakish Bingham went straight to Dominic Poleon and the Fleet striker needed no second invitation to stroke home his 15th of the season into an empty net.
Poleon nearly added a second midway through the first half but it needed an excellent block by the impressive George Nevett to divert his goalbound shot away from danger.
Rochdale levelled just four minutes before the break when Kyron Gordon and Jimmy Keohane combined down the right, the latter crossing for the lively Kairo Mitchell to turn home from close range.
Cian Hayes’ low shot was beaten away by Ebbsfleet’s Mark Cousins early in the second half before the keeper also denied Mitchell at this near post.
Ebbsfleet enjoyed plenty of the ball but Rochdale were in no mood to give up chances. Two excellent crosses from the outstanding Ben Chapman nearly presented Poleon with openings but he was twice thwarted by the offside flag.
The hosts had two penalty appeals turned down in the last five minutes, Bryant Bilongo appeared to be fouled before they felt Josh Wright’s cross was handled.
At the other end, Rochdale’s Cameron John hit the top of the bar from an acute angle but there was a late twist in Ebbsfleet’s favour as Samuel struck home his fifth goal of the season.
Rochdale manager Jimmy McNulty said: “I can’t believe we lost the game to be honest.
“Cian Hayes has a great chance eight yards out, Cameron John hits the crossbar. We accept it, we take it on the chin, but we gave them two goals in a game where they struggled to create anything.”