Ebbsfleet United 2-1 Stevenage Borough - Daish pleased with shock home win

A half time substitution (with Ishmael Welsh replacing the unwell Michael West) definitely changed the home side tempo if not their shape - a point the manager was keen to emphasise. 

"The change at half time didn't really change the formation as it was like for like, Westy not feeling too good at half time," Daish added, "and to be fair Ishmael was more a threat second half but we definitely didn't want any change to disrupt us too much!
 
In the opening half the Fleet gave their fans no idea of the drama that was to follow as the visitors bossed the game albeit that the only goal they had to show for their dominance was somewhat fortunate. 

Yem Odubade who was a real handful down the Borough left hit a shot fro the edge of the box which looped up off Gavin Heeroo, over keeper Lance Cronin and almost apologetically dropped into the Fleet net.
 
Daish admitted afterwards that he, "wasn't overly concerned about the way we conceded - I was more intent that we kept it to one at half time so that I could put my point across - we didn't want to lose two or three which would have been really hard but all the time its only one we can get them in the dressing room and regroup - get a bit of belief back and then do what we did in the second half - we're back in the game."
 
To be fair, Daish will be the first to acknowledge that but for some desperate defending, poor finishing and an assistants flag his side would have one in at least two behind and maybe more. 

Charlie Griffin twice headed over when well placed, David Bridges saw a shot brilliantly blocked by Holmes when the Stevenage man should really have done better, whilst four minutes from half time, the visitors thought they were about to receive a spot kick, when former Fleet legend Andy Drury exchanged passes on the edge of the box with Odubade only to be flattened inside the box and as referee Ross went to point to the spot, the assistants flag had been raised and the free kick went to the home side!
 
Whatever Daish did to his side at half time it worked, along with the flying Odubade's departure with injury, as within five minutes the Fleet had the lead courtesy of two goals that will have Borough keeper Chris Day asking questions about his involvement in both. 

On 48 minutes Holmes was fouled on the very edge of the box and from the resulting free kick, Vieira thumped the ball goalwards with such pace Day could only parry the ball straight into the path of bailey who gleefully rammed the ball home from eight yards. 

Just as those celebrations were quietening it was two nil. 

Holmes flighted in a free kick from the right and Day came for a cross that he shouldn't have and Bailey was on hand to head the ball into the empty net!  Stonebridge Road naturally went wild!
 
All of a sudden Borough realise that their proud record of only one league defeat was in real danger, but on this night nothing more was to pass the Fleet's back line, and on the rare occasion it did Cronin was on hand to keep the Fleet in front. 

Indeed, the Fleet keeper produced one wonder save half way through the second half - Full back Ronnie Henry blasted a free kick forward from the half way line, and the ball was allowed to bounce through the area, and Cronin had to show all of his considerable agility to frantically back pedal and tip the ball over the bar. 

The Fleet keeper was also called upon to make a smart save to deny substitute Chris Beardsley's flashing header from Henry's cross as Stevenage piled forward in search of an equaliser that never came.
 
This was a night for the Fleet faithful to really enjoy, a point that wasn't lost on the manger. 

He said: "It was good for the supporters to get another good Stonebridge Road night back. We've enjoyed them before and the fans must have enjoyed the last two games - its good to get a different feel about the place it has been tough round here of late."
 
Overall with the Fleet now within touching distance of the sides immediately above them, things seem to be happening and finally coming together. 

"We've won our last two, wasn't happy at all with the way we played at AFC Wimbledon but in the three games before that when we narrowly lost to Wrexham, York and Tamworth we were in the game and unlucky not to go on and win the game, so out of the lat six the performances have been coming (with the exception of Wimbledon) but just haven't been getting the points on board that we should have."
 
Daish added: "Its still very early and we've still got loads to do yet - its still going to be very hard - but we've just got to keep reminding the players what's getting them this bit of success - a lot of it is down to hard work – 99% hard work and 1% inspiration - we've got to keep doing that and believing - keep discipline keep remembering what we're good at and what makes us a decent side and hopefully if we keep hammering that home it might be enough
 
But tonight was all about the Fleet players as Daish reaffirmed when we asked him for his views on another outstanding display by Smith at the back. 

He said: "Ross is Ross and is great to have about, but we had some big performances out there tonight - young Stav was different class; Magno we got a good performance out of him, Shakesy wasn't feeling the best; we had more than one but Ross stands out in a way that simply because of his work rate and determination and that's what make him look a good player!
 
"I'm a happy man tonight - good to have two wins on the bounce and see a happy dressing room."
 
Ebbsfleet United:  Lance Cronin, Ross Smith, Stefan Bailey, Peter Homes, Ricky Shakes, Michael West (Ishmael Welsh 46), Darius Charles, Alexander Stavrinou, Magno Vieira (Kane Wills 90), Gavin Heeroo, Leon Crooks.
Subs: Matthew Lamprell, Dean Pooley, Scott Ginty
 
Goals - Stefan Bailey 48, 50
 
Stevenage Borough: Chris Day, Scott Laird (Stacey Long 80), Darren Murphy, Charlie Griffin, Yem Odubade (Mitchell Cole 46), Jel Byrom, Mark Roberts, David Bridges (Chris Beardsley 69), Andy Drury, Michael Bostwick, Ronnie Henry.
Subs: Ashey Bayes, Mark Albrighton

Goal:  Yem Odubade 21

Booked: Scott Laird 22,  Michael Bostwick 90, Darren Murphy 90
  
Attendance: 836
Referee:  Mr Stephen Ross (Lincolnshire)
Assistants:  Mr John Hayto & Mr Thomas Ramsey
Fourth official: Mr Stuart Butler