Ebbsfleet United 2-1 Stalybridge Celtic - Fleet keep one Hand on the Trophy

Relegation threatened Fleet went into the game on the back of five Blue Square Premier games without a win, and it showed during the first half, putting in a poor performance that some sections of a sparse Stonebridge Road booed their Wembley winners off the pitch.

The holders were destined to go out in the second round, had they not upped their urgency during the second half, as Nathan Joynes’ sixth goal of the season had given the Blue Square North visitors a half-time lead.

But thankfully, it was a game of two halves, as the double substitution of Ricky Shakes and home-grown striker, Luke Moore, finally sparked the Kent side into life, and two strikes from Stacy Long and Jamie Hand, sealed a flattering 2-1 win.

Despite over 25,000 “fans” making the pilgrimage to Wembley Stadium to see the Fleet lift the FA Trophy with a historic 1-0 win over Torquay United last May, only 467 bothered to turn out for this match against lower league opposition.

And the sixth-placed Blue Square North visitors’ were not overawed playing the holders as the impressive Steve Torpey, and Terry Barwick both forced saves from Lance Cronin inside the opening seven minutes.

And the sparse Stonebridge Road faithful were stunned into further silence when Stalybridge Celtic deservedly broke the deadlock after 22 minutes - in front of many empty red seats at the Plough End.

A penetrating run from Torpey cut open the heart of the Fleet defence and he slid the ball through to Joynes and once inside the penalty area his shot rolled past the advancing Cronin and caressed the foot of the far post before finding the bottom corner.

“Come on Fleet, you’re the Trophy holders,” came a cry from the directors’ box. Had they carried on with their poor performance into the second half, then it would have been an embarrassing exit for the hosts.

Visiting goalkeeper Paul Phillips was finally called into action after 32 minutes, making a comfortable save from Hand’s right-footed half-volley from 35-yards, and striker Michael Gash saw his shot beaten out by the goalkeeper, striking an angled drive towards goal, on the stroke of half-time.

Ebbsfleet United did create half-chances during a disappointing first half, but Daish’s encouraging words during the half-time interval, was their saving grace.

“I didn’t go over board,” Daish told www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards. “I think the position we were in at half-time we had to keep spirits up and we just tried to do the basics better, be on the move a little bit more.

“And I said to the lads, whatever happens you stick together; you look after your team-mates; and you work hard for your team-mates; and you’ll be alright.

“And to be fair to them, they did - it’s good to still be in the Trophy.”

Seeing something was needed to lift the gloom, Daish responded and threw on Hand and Moore and this lifted the crowd and with local boy, winger, George Purcell excellent throughout, the Fleet saved face with a 63^rd minute leveller.

A long ball into the penalty area found Moore with his back to goal and his lay-off was hit sweetly by Long, drilling his shot past Phillips into the bottom left-hand corner.

Substitute Shakes played a part in the winner, just four minutes later. The right-sided winger let Long’s pass run into Hand’s path and the midfielder drilled a low shot into the bottom right-hand corner from 25-yards, to score his first and most vital goal of the season.

Cronin prevented an unwanted trip up north in seven days time, with an injury time save.

Barlow whipped in a cross from the right and this was met by a thumping header from substitute Nick Platt, but thankfully the ball fell straight into the grateful arms of a well positioned goalkeeper.

Next up for the holders is another home game, against Swindon Supermarine, who punished EIGHT-MAN Uxbridge 6-1 on their travels tonight.

Daish, meanwhile, was relieved to get through against a Stalybridge side that caused the Fleet a second round scare.

“I think we could’ve made it a little bit easier for ourselves,” he said. “If we were a little bit more ruthless in front of goal, a bit more selfish, but two good slots from Stacy and Jamie Hand.

Purcell, who played well on both flanks, earned praise from his manager for his impressive display.

“Hopefully there’s a real player there,” said Daish. “He’s just got to keep remembering what makes him a good player and today he mixed his game up.”

But the manager was pleased with the second half showing from his off-colour side.

“The first 45 minutes wasn’t that clever, but second 45, I came away thinking he’s performed, he’s performed and he’s performed.

“I haven’t been able to do that too often that lately.”

Ebbsfleet United: Lance Cronin, Mark Ricketts (Ricky Shakes 58), Sacha Opinel, James Smith, Dean Pooley, Jamie Hand, Craig Stone, Stacy Long (Neil Barrett 88), George Purcell, Kezie Ibe (Luke Moore 58), Michael Gash.
Subs: Sam Mott, Peter Hawkins.

Goals: Stacy Long 63, Jamie Hand 67

Booked: Sacha Opinel 36

Stalybridge Celtic: Paul Phillips, Ashley Woolliscroft, Rhys Meynell, Andrew Smart, Terry Barwick (Nicky Platt 83), Barrie Keeling, Steve Torpey, Keith Briggs, Lee Ellington, Nathan Joynes (Chris Williams 83), Matty Barlow.
Subs: Greg Wilkinson, Paul Sykes, Matthew Wrigley.

Goal: Nathan Joynes 22

Booked: Keith Briggs 76

Attendance: 467
Referee: Mr Mike Bull (Chelmsford, Essex)
Assistants: Mr Robert Smith & Mr Neil West
Fourth Official: Mr Glen Tilley