BEN BAGS A BRACE AS FAB FLEET MARCH ON
MIDFIELD dynamo Ben Chapman scored the first brace of his career as Ebbsfleet United edged closer to safety by defeating AFC Fylde.
The victory – Fleet’s first-ever win over AFC Fylde after six previous meetings – continued their remarkable turnaround under boss Danny Searle, who has picked up 22 points from 11 games in charge.
Former Gillingham youngster Chapman had only scored once all season but he increased his tally with a goal in either half.
“I’m not surprised as I know what his quality is about,” said Searle on his match winner. “Ben is competent with both feet, he does it a lot in training and he can cut inside.
“He’s a threat from crossing situations and obviously he’s a got a decent strike on him. He nearly had a second one in the first half from a similar angle as well.”
It was a deserved three points for Ebbsfleet who were in charge for most of the contest, although a late goal from Fylde substitute Gerrard McCullion ensured a nervy finale.
The opening goal came on 17 minutes as a lovely turn from inside his own half by Toby Edser saw him play in top scorer Dominic Poleon. His ball across the penalty area picked out Chapman, who cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable left-foot shot into the far corner beyond keeper Theo Richardson.
Ebbsfleet should have doubled their advantage but it needed an excellent piece of defending from Fylde captain Harry
Davis to cut out Chapman’s right-wing cross as Rakish Bingham was waiting for a tap-in.
Then Edser somehow managed to get a cross in from the left and the ball fell for Chapman, who sent a low shot inches past the post from the edge of the area.
Fylde, who had actually started brightly, nearly levelled just before halftime but an excellent block by Bryant Bilongo denied Jon Ustabasi after he was found in the box by Danny Ormerod.
Striker Ormerod headed over early in the second half but Ebbsfleet soon took charge with Chapman bravely scoring a second goal on 54 minutes. Billy Clifford’s pass found Chapman’s run and when keeper Richardson was slow off his line, the Fleet man got there first and headed into an empty net.
Fylde were back in the game when McCullion marked his debut with a close-range finish six minutes from time.
But any hopes of a grandstand finish ended when Davis saw red in the 90th minute for an apparent stamp on substitute Craig Tanner.
Fylde head coach Chris Beech said: “We didn’t deserve to win the game. I thought when we got our goal that we may get another one but we need to be better at chasing games.
“We weren’t passing well, taking players on and creating chances but they were definitely better than us.” STAR MAN: Ben Chapman (Ebbsfleet) ATT: 1,642 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: James Durkin