Fleet return to their bread and butter

WEMBLEY BOUND Kent heroes Ebbsfleet United returned to work with smiles on their faces today - just like everybody from Kent who travelled to Aldershot Town on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

But the players know they must remain focused for their remaining thirteen games in the Blue Square Premier if they’re to return to Wembley Stadium for a play-off final.

Sky high Fleet travel to Histon tomorrow night, knowing they must pick up three points in their bid to make up ground on the sides above them.

Currently in tenth place, Liam Daish’s men are 12 points behind Burton Albion, the side occupying the last play-off berth.

And skipper Paul McCarthy, dreaming of climbing those 107 steps to lift up the FA Carlsberg Trophy on 10^th May, says there’s a lot to play for before the proud Irishman walks out his team-mates at Wembley Stadium.

“It’s a long way off but we have a lot of games to go and we’re still in with a chance of the play-off’s, so hopefully this will give us a lift to go to Histon on Tuesday night,” McCarthy told www.kentishfootball.co.uk after Saturday’s memorable day in Hampshire.

“We do need to win there to have any chance of hanging on and having a chance getting into the play-off’s.

“We can’t celebrate for too long, it’s obviously nice (getting to Wembley), but it’s a long way off.”

McCarthy marshalled his team-mates superbly during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at the Recreation Ground as the Fleet earned a 1-1 draw against Blue Square Premier leaders Aldershot Town, winning the semi-final 4-2 on aggregate.

“It was very tough, but we dug in as a side,” reflected McCarthy. “We’ve got a lot of young players, it means a lot to everyone don’t get me wrong.

“We were a bit concerned (that) nerves might get to a few but it didn’t. Everyone played their part and it was a good all round team performance.

“I felt our tactics were spot on. We didn’t sit back from the first minute and we went in at half-time, it was 0-0.

“Second half, I felt we took the game to them and they scored against the run of play and there were always going to be nerves.

“You don’t want to push it too much, they put a lot of strikers on, they had four or five up front so we had to match that and play more defensively.

“Luckily for us we caught them on the break and the tie was over.”

McCarthy paid tribute to the Fleet’s management team of Liam Daish, Alan Kimble et all for their efforts in getting the north Kent club to Wembley for the very first time.

“It means everything to me, I’m not getting any younger,” said McCarthy.

“I’m 36-years-old and it means an awful lot to me. I think the players deserve it, the management deserve it as well.

“Liam’s done a great job since he’s come here, Alan Kimble as well.

“Liam’s brought every player. I think I am the only player here before he arrived. He’s brought everybody here and he’s brought people here whose all together. There’s no superstars, everybody mucks in.

“If there’s a problem, it’s all sorted in-house and I think the lads have really worked hard and deserve their glory at Wembley.”

The joyous scenes in Aldershot at the final whistle, especially after Michael Bostwick scored an equaliser just 69 seconds from the end, had Fleet fans in tears.

“I’ve just been there with the supporters that have been supporting the club for a long time and they’re in tears,” said McCarthy.

But the two finalists did all their hard work at home. Torquay United, who saw off York City by winning 2-1 on aggregate, sealed a 2-0 win at Plainmoor in the first leg.

And Fleet’s determined 3-1 win at Stonebridge Road in their first leg tie, where McCarthy scored the vital third goal, was their stepping stone.

“We done the hard work at home,” said McCarthy. “A two goal lead gave us a little bit of a cushion and I felt even going a goal behind (in the second leg) we (played) as a side.”

Visit Ebbsfleet United’s website:  www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

Histon v Ebbsfleet United
Blue Square Premier
Tuesday 18^th March 2008
Kick Off 7:45pm
At The Glass World Stadium, Bridge Road, Impington, Cambridge, CB24 9PH