Ebbsfleet picked up their first point of the season on Monday at Braintree in the National League. There was little between the teams although the Fleet had the better of the second half and had two glorious chances to claim their first win. For the second game running, Ebbsfleet boss Danny Searle made five changes on the back of Saturday’s 3-0 home reverse to Woking.
It was a cagey first half, most notable for another forward injury to Ebbsfleet. Giles Phillips’ ball over the top sent Dominic Samuel through after four minutes. Former Maidstone keeper Lucas Covolan came rushing out and made contact with the Fleet man as he attempted to clear.
Referee Lauren Impey decided it was not a foul - and an inevitable red card - but Samuel was unable to continue and was replaced by Dominic Poleon after being helped off. Braintree’s Chay Cooper had already sliced an early attempt wide but the Fleet were relatively untroubled with Kyrell Lisbie and Inih Effiong both having shots blocked. Ebbsfleet took their time to grow into the game but a swift move midway through the half nearly fashioned a chance only for Lewis Page to overhit his cross having linked up well with Poleon and Greg Cundle.
Braintree’s only tactic was to aim for the tall Effiong, Ebbsfleet didn’t have the same luxury with Poleon their sole forward. But the Fleet’s leading scorer nearly fashioned a chance on the stroke of half-time as he outmuscled his marker before setting up Jim Kellermann. He fed Wes Fonguc.