Ebbsfleet United 0-1 Stevenage Borough - The day when Stevenage shattered our dreams

Here are today's teams:

Ebbsfleet United: Lance Cronin, Sacha Opinel, Leon Crooks, James Smith, Stacy Long, Michael Gash, Mark Ricketts, Ricky Shakes (George Purcell 83), Luke Moore, Darius Charles, Guiseppe Sole (Luis Cumbers 67).
Subs: Sam Mott, Danny Slatter, Jamie Stevens.

Booked: Luke Moore 56, Stacy Long 61

Stevenage Borough: Chris Day, Scott Laird, Michael Bostwick, Mark Roberts, Lawrie Wilson, Mitchell Cole, David Bridges, Darren Murphy (Gary Mills 73), Andy Drury (Mark Albrighton 53), Lee Boylan (Peter Vincenti 86), Steve Morrison.
Subs: Ashley Bayes, Callum Willock.

Goal: Peter Vincenti 90

Booked: Steve Morrison 87

Attendance: 3,008
Referee: Mr Simon Hooper (Swindon, Wiltshire)
Assistants: Mr Tim Robinson (Bognor Regis, West Sussex) & Mr Carl Fitch (Ipswich, Suffolk)
Fourth Official: Mr Rob Whitton

MATCH COVERAGE

RESULTS:

ASHFORD TOWN 2-3 FLEET TOWN
MAIDSTONE UNITED 1-1 MARGATE

95:01 FULL TIME: EBBSFLEET UNITED 0-1 STEVENAGE BOROUGH
Stevenage Borough complete a smash-and-grab raid on the day, as substitute Peter Vincenti sends his side to Wembley Stadium, with a 4-2 win on aggregate.

94:10 EBBSFLEET UNITED 0-1 STEVENAGE BOROUGH
Stevenage break our hearts as substitute Peter Vincenti, cuts in from the right and drills a left-footed shot across Lance Cronin and into the bottom far corner.

LATE FLEET CHANCE
Mark Ricketts’ floats in a cross from the left, for Luis Cumbers, whose towering header is plucked out of the air by Day.

RESULT: MAIDSTONE UNITED 1-1 MARGATE

FOUR MINUTES OF TIME ADDED ON
And Stevenage stand strong and are on the brink.

83:00 FLEET SUB
Gravesend lad George Purcell, fresh from a loan spell at Ryman Premier League side Ramsgate, replaces Ricky Shakes in a bid to level the tie.

LATEST: ASHFORD TOWN 2-3 FLEET TOWN
Michael Douglas made it 2-1 for Fleet, but two goals from Craig Wilkins bring Ashford Town back in it, before Jamie McClure made it 302.

77:00
Despite heavy pressure from Fleet, Stevenage striker Lee Boylan cracks a stunning right-footed volley from 25-yards, which, thankfully, screams past the far post.

76:00
Day uses his legs to prevent Stacy Long getting on the end of Luke Moore’s low centre from the left. Long was poised to fire home from six-yards out. The atmosphere is rising - COME ON THE FLEET.

73:00
Michael Gash’s turn down the left beats the Borough defence and his low centre was flicked by substitute Luis Cumbers, into the path of Stacy Long, who cracked a stunning right-footed drive from just inside the box, which was superbly tipped over by a flying Chris Day. Pressing Fleet’s best chance to level the tie.

71:00
Stevenage force a corner, which is taken by Scott Laird and this is met by Michael Bostwick’s far post header, which he powers towards goal, but Fleet have bodies in the way.

69:00
Fleet were awarded a free-kick from 30-yards out, and with Sole now on the bench, the free-kick was taken by Stacy Long, who chipped the ball into the box for Sacha Opinel, whose header bounced of the head of a defender into Leon Crooks’ path, whose right-footed drive flashed agonisingly past the far post.

67:00 FLEET SUB
Liam Daish brings on pacy striker Luis Cumbers, replacing Guiseppe Sole.

GOAL FLASH: MAIDSTONE UNITED 1-1 MARGATE
Lloyd Blackman’s 61^st minute penalty has levelled for the Stones.

62:00
“Sing your hearts out for the lads,” chants the Plough End. “Come on You Fleet!” the halfway liners reply.

60:00
Ebbsfleet’s best chance increases the atmosphere and passion at Stonebridge Road, as the Kent side still trail 3-2 on aggregate. Guiseppe Sole strokes the ball in behind the Stevenage defence and striker Luke Moore turned and lashed a right-footed drive from the edge of the box, which flies agonisingly past the right post.

58:00
A low drilled cross from Fleet winger Ricky Shakes, is flicked towards goal by Mark Ricketts, but the ball is safe.

56:00
Fleet striker Luke Moore is the first player to be booked, for charging down a clearance from Stevenage goalkeeper Chris Day.

55:00
The halfway line fans chant “Come on you Fleet!”

54:37
Fleet winger Ricky Shakes is released down the right and after cutting inside his shot rolls towards goal, but hit’s the heels of Luke Moore, and Chris Day is able to pick up the ball at his near post.

GOAL FLASH: ASHFORD TOWN 0-2 FLEET TOWN
Fleet Town make it two, courtesy of Nathan Smart’s 58^th minute goal.

51:51
Stevenage right-sided winger Andy Drury, back at Stonebridge Road where he played as a part-time player, goes down injured on his own, to a chorus of boos from the fans along the halfway line. Drury is then replaced by Mark Albrighton, having to walk along the goal-line in front of the Plough End.

45:36
Stevenage Borough take just 36 seconds to drill a shot towards the Fleet goal when Lee Boylan’s hook opens up the Fleet defence to allow Andy Drury, in behind the defence, to drive a shot just past the near post, the ball crashing into the advertising boards behind Lance Cronin’s goal.

GOAL FLASH: ASHFORD TOWN 0-1 FLEET TOWN
Steve Hemmings has given Fleet Town a 49^th minute lead at Homelands in Ryman One South.

SECOND HALF
Stevenage Borough get the second half underway, attacking the Fleet fans at the Plough End. The Fleet must find a goal in the next 45 minutes to level the tie at 3-3.

HALF TIME SCORES:

MAIDSTONE UNITED 0-1 MARGATE
Kenny Pratt’s 16^th minute goal has given Terry Yorath’s side the lead at the break at Bourne Park.

ASHFORD TOWN 0-0 FLEET TOWN
Ashford Town are down to ten-men as Shawn Beveney was shown a straight red card - in what has been described as a poor first half at Homelands Stadium.

48:25 HALF TIME EBBSFLEET UNITED 0-0 STEVENAGE BOROUGH
Stevenage Borough have soaked up the pressure and go into the half-time break still with a 3-2 aggregate lead.

INJURY TIME
After Guiseppe Sole cleared the ball to Darren Murphy, just outside the box, the ball was hooked into Steve Morrison’s path, in behind the Fleet defence, and the striker lifted the ball over the advancing Lance Cronin to drop into the roof of the empty net, but the offside flag had already been raised.

42:05
Stevenage striker Steve Morrison, their captain, goes on a mazy run down the right, but lashes a right-footed drive from the edge of the box, which he blasts into the travelling fans.

39:44
Stevenage cut the ball back to striker Mitchell Cole, on the angle on the left-hand side, but his right-footed angled drive was comfortably saved by Lance Cronin at his near post.

36:45
Leon Crooks delivers a free-kick from the right, some 35-yards from goal, and Fleet striker Michael Gash leaps towards the ball along with Sacha Opinel, but Gash’s glancing header brought a comfortable save from Stevenage goalkeeper Chris Day.

30:00
Stevenage boss Graham Westley brings his players to the dug-out whilst Lee Boylan receives treatment on the half-way line, after Fleet defender Darius Charles leans down onto his back, heading the ball back into the Borough half. From the resulting free-kick, taken by Lawrie Wilson, James Smith headed out and Borough played the ball to Lee Boylan, who was in space, and his floated right-footed cross found Mitchell Cole unmarked at the far post and his right-footed volley was comfortably saved by Fleet goalkeeper Lance Cronin at his near post.

25:56
Stevenage striker Lee Boylan hooks the ball into the back of the Fleet net, from the edge of the six-yard box, but the flag had already been raised for a foul, following a free-kick from midfield from Mark Roberts.

23:00
Halfway through the first half, Ebbsfleet United have started by attacking Stevenage, but they still trail 3-2 on aggregate.

20:00
Ebbsfleet United goalkeeper Lance Cronin makes his first save of the game, getting down low to his right on the far post to prevent Lee Boylan with a right-footed half-volley, after Fleet clear Andy Drury’s first corner from the right.

18:01
Stevenage goalkeeper Chris Day plucks the ball out of the air, under pressure from Fleet’s French left-back Sacha Opinel, after Stacy Long’s free-kick was rolled to Ricky Shakes, who had won the free-kick, delivered a high cross towards the far post, and Michael Gash’s header was plucked out of the air by the goalkeeper.

GOAL FLASH: MAIDSTONE UNITED 0-1 MARGATE
Kenny Pratt has given Margate a 16^th minute lead in the big Kent derby at Bourne Park.

12:44
After Guiseppe Sole was fouled by David Bridges, Sole whipped in a high free-kick into the Borough box, and James Smith towered a header over the crossbar in a crowded penalty area, as Stevenage Borough defend the set-piece with all even players in and around their penalty area.

7:51
Fleet defender Leon Crooks allowed Andy Drury’s diagonal ball to bounce over his head, allowing Mitchell Cole to latch onto and burst into the penalty area, but Crooks recovered, getting a toe poke on the ball, and after escaping penalty appeals from the Borough fans, the defender was cool enough to clear the danger. A warning for the Fleet defence.

3:04
Fleet striker Michael Gash causes Stevenage Borough’s defence problems, but goalkeeper Chris Day smothers the ball at his feet. The Stonebridge Road faithful are roaring their team to get an early goal to get the Kent side back on level terms.

2:01
Guiseppe Sole, 25-yards from goal, strikes a poor right footed drive, which bounces harmlessly wide, the winger holds his head in his hands.

1:00
Stevenage Borough goalkeeper Chris Day has to punch away Stacy Long’s near post corner as the Fleet make their intentions known early.

15:07
Holders Ebbsfleet United get the game underway.

PART 3: THE BUILD UP TO FLEET’S DAY OF DESTINY

15:07
Both clubs have three mascots each. Fleet will be attacking the Plough End of the ground - Fleet fans don’t like that. Both sides are in their traditional home colours, as they were at Broadhall Way.

15:05
The players enter the field to enormous passion from all around Stonebridge Road - COME ON THE FLEET - SEND US BACK TO WEMBLEY!

15:00
As we await the big delayed kick-off, all we can now say is, COME ON THE FLEET! There are five photographers awaiting near the centre circle to take their snaps of the two captains and match officials.

14:56
A crucial ten minute period, as Liam Daish issues his last instructions to his side, as they await the delayed kick-off.

14:55
Stonebridge Road is packed to the rafters - there are clearly more fans here than at Broadhall Way seven days ago.

14:48
The kick-off has been delayed for ten-minutes due to crowd congestion.

14:48
Stevenage Borough players walk towards the tunnel. We are now minutes away from kick-off.

14:46
As the Fleet heroes trudge back down the tunnel, the public address announcer blasts out the Fleet team, with fans all around us raising their voices and clapping their team.

14:45
The atmosphere is now electric inside Stonebridge Road. There are No more seats available at the home Plough End behind the goal to our left. Stevenage have also brought 1,000 fans here to Kent this afternoon.

14:36
The Asian band re-start their playing and walk along the front of the stand here, towards the Plough End.

14:33
The Fleet public announcer blasts out sponsors and forthcoming fixtures, there are at least 500 Stevenage Borough supporters at the Swanscombe End of the ground, and numbers are filling up around the other three sides of the ground.

14:30
The Fleet fans at the Plough End raise their voices, as fans begin to file into the ground at sun-kissed Stonebridge Road. Thirty minutes before kick-off.

14:29
Stevenage Borough fans chant “barmy army” as their side warm up in front of them, whilst at the other end, the Fleet players are lying down, going through their warm-ups.

14:22
A local Asian band make a racket as they make the way around the side of the Stonebridge Road pitch for seven minutes.

14:20 TEAM NEWS
Ebbsfleet United have made two changes from the side that lost 3-2 at Broadhall Way seven days ago and are expected to line up 3-5-2. Defender James Smith and winger Ricky Shakes come in, replacing the injured Neil Barrett and the unfit Danny Slatter. For Stevenage, they keep faith with the same starting eleven from last weekend.

14:17
The entire Stevenage Borough side jog out onto the pitch, wearing their training kit, to rousing support.

14:16
The entire Ebbsfleet United side jog out onto the pitch, wearing their training kit, to rousing support.

14:13
Stevenage Borough goalkeeper Chris Day runs out onto the pitch on his own, with his arms raised above his head clapping, to a rousing reception from at least 300 travelling fans at the Swanscombe End.

14:05
Reserve goalkeepers Sam Mott and Rob French both begin their warm-ups and Ron Hilyard kick balls to each other.

14:00
We are now only 60 minutes away from kick-off, as BBC Radio Kent replay the moment when the Fleet won the FA Carlsberg Trophy last May.

AWAY GOALS DO NOT COUNT
Remember, away goals do NOT count here at Stonebridge Road today. More fans are filing into the stadium as there is now less than an hour to go before kick-off. An early Ebbsfleet United goal will settle all our nerves and to level the tie at 3-3. Come on Fleet, I believe it, the fans believe it, let’s make it another proud day here in north Kent.

13:58
The officials, all five of them, disappear back down the players tunnel. The Plough End of the ground is now filling up - and so is the away end at the open Swanscombe End.

13:40
There are about 200 supporters already in their places at Stonebridge Road. The Policeman, and two stewards, have now finished their conversations and march towards the tunnel, whilst the match officials and FA people remain undergoing their pre-match preparations.

13:36
A policeman, flanked by two stewards wearing bright orange jackets, march towards the five match and FA officials standing yards away from the centre circle. Stevenage Borough’s players are now back in their dressing room. Fleet secretary Roly Edwards, holding a white plastic cup, talks to Paul McCarthy beside the home dug-out.

13:32
Liam Daish, the Fleet boss, walks briefly onto the pitch, before disappearing back down the players’ tunnel.

13:26
Today’s match officials are now on the pitch, standing on the touch-line in front of the main stand.

SLEEPLESS NIGHTS
Reading the Fleet forum today, fans are complaining about a lack of sleep, through nervous tension. I’m feeling the same.

13:22
Paul McCarthy leads most of the players back into the dressing room, leaving a trio of the PASE lads standing beside the pitch perimeter. Stevenage Borough players are still out on the pitch.

13:21
Ebbsfleet United players, holders of the competition, are filing in front of the main stand at Stonebridge Road, led by Paul McCarthy, who lifted the silverware on THAT day at Wembley Stadium last May.

13:16
Music starts blaring out of the loadspeakers here at Stonebridge Road, with early bird supporters of both sides now on the terracing/seating.

13:10
Stevenage Borough, leading 3-2 from the first leg seven days ago, arrive at sun-kissed Stonebridge Road, and their players begin to walk onto the pitch here.

12:50
Now inside Stonebridge Road, the pitch is in excellent condition and is basked in sunshine with blue hazy skies above - only two hours to go before kick-off.

12:25 COUNTY WIDE SUPPORT
Jerry Dowlen, on the committee of Ryman One South leaders Cray Wanderers, sent a text saying, “Good luck to the Fleet today.” The Wands, who have won their last eight league games, welcome Whyteleafe to Hayes Lane today.

11:40
Two Fleet fans board the same train as me at London Bridge as we make the pilgrimage to Northfleet. Today is the day for ALL Fleet fans to give their most passionate support to assist Liam Daish’s side to get the early goal they need to level the tie at 3-3 - then go on to seal a famous semi-final victory.

11:00
Don’t know about you, but with four hours to go before the big kick-off, the nerves and butterflies have set in. Hopefully, come 5 o’clock we are celebrating yet another heroic and proud Fleet performance.

A DAY FOR FLEET HEROES
One Ebbsfleet United supporter, posting a message on the Fleet fan’s forum, sums up the day perfectly saying, “Arrogance breeds contempt. Belief breeds heroes. Get behind the lads from the moment they drive into the ground to the moment they walk out as heroes.”

0900
A bright sunny day here in the Garden of England for Ebbsfleet United’s day of destiny. Confidence is high in the McCartney household here in Tunbridge Wells that The Fleet will shatter Stevenage Borough’s 20-match unbeaten run, and more importantly their Wembley dream. With a passionate filled Stonebridge Road, The Fleet will get the 2-0 victory that they need to send us back to the home of English football.

SEVEN DAYS AGO AT BROADHALL WAY
Stevenage Borough, fifth place in the Blue Square South table, arrive in Kent with a 3-2 lead from last Saturday’s first leg at Broadhall Way.

Graham Westley’s side stormed into a 2-0 lead at the break, punishing a poor first half performance from the Fleet, but a rousing second half performance, a brave header from Neil Barrett, who has now been ruled out for the rest of the season with his injuries, and a stunning Stacy Long header, ensued the Fleet dramatically levelled, but Stevenage Borough headed home a late winner.

Fleet, in eighteenth place in the table, therefore will be looking to score an early goal, and boss Liam Daish has urged home fans to give his side partisan support as they bid to return to Wembley Stadium, having beaten Torquay United 1-0 in last season’s final.

DAISH: We can realise our dream of a Wembley repeat
Ebbsfleet United will be without midfielder Neil Barrett, who suffered a broken jaw as he scored the Fleet’s first goal at Broadhall Way last weekend.

John Martin, on loan from Stevenage, is ineligible, but striker Luis Cumbers, himself on loan from League Two side Gillingham, could feature.

Stevenage will be without defensive pair Jon Ashton (cup-tied) and Ron Henry (suspension). Midfielder Mitchell Cole, who limped out of the first leg with a knee injury, should be fit to play.

Borough travel to Kent knowing that extending their 20-match unbeaten run will be enough to book their place in the final at Wembley and earn a £300,000 pay-day for the club.

However, Ebbsfleet are the holders and fought back from 2-0 down in the first leg to give themselves a fighting chance at Stonebridge Road today.

Fleet boss Liam Daish told BBC Radio Kent, “Having won this competition last year we know what we’ve got to do, the lads don’t want to let the trophy go that easily.

“It’s a massive weekend for the club. I’d like to think that we will do all we can to realise our dream of a Wembley repeat.

“It’s going to be tough, but we know what we’ve got to do.”

WESTLEY CONFIDENT OF BREAKING OUR HEARTS
Graham Westley is adamant that the agenda has not changed for his Stevenage Borough side in their FA Trophy Semi-Final second leg at Stonebridge Road today.

Borough boast a slender 3-2 advantage going into the game, despite throwing away a two-goal lead in the first instalment at Broadhall Way seven days ago.

David Bridges' late winner finally swung the momentum back in favour of Westley's men, and although the manager concedes he was disappointed to surrender a strong advantage in the first place, it was still a case of job done.

"We went into the game wanting to win it and we managed that," said Westley. "From our point of view it was job done. It was important to get off to a good start which we did, but of course it was disappointing to concede.

"The players did the job that was asked of them and that was to win the game.

"I set the agenda before the first game. We planned to win the first game and we have planned to win the second game, so if we do that then there won't be any problem. The agenda hasn't changed."

By avoiding defeat at Stonebridge Road, Stevenage will not only earn a trip to Wembley, but will set a club record 21 games unbeaten. Westley, though, is not worried about any statistics.

"Records are one of those nice things you get along the road on the way to medals, but you do want the medals," he explained.

"Our boys are 20 unbeaten, winning 15 of those and I think we are confident going into most games.

"One of the things you don't do when you are on a good run is underestimate anyone. We have given every side we play against the same level of respect, but we are confident going into the games.

"We believed we could win last Saturday, which we did, and we believe we can do the same this Saturday.

"It is a fantastic prize. We want to get to Wembley and we are determined to make sure that we do."