The lights go out at Ebbsfleet United

EBBSFLEET UNITED boss Liam Daish has re-signed goalkeeper Lance Cronin on a month-long loan deal from Bristol Rovers.


The 26-year-old played 187 games for the Fleet from 2006 to 2010 before leaving to join Gillingham.

He has made just one substitute appearance for Rovers since signing for the Npower League Two club in the summer.

Fleet boss Liam Daish told BBC Radio Kent: "It's good for Lance and the club, hopefully he gets a good reception and everything goes well."

Cronin comes in as cover for Preston Edwards, who is to serve a three-match ban after picking up a straight red card in Saturday’s win over Bath City.

"I had envisaged a restful day on Sunday and playing golf but no, I had to get something sorted," Daish continued.

"When you get a goalkeeper on loan, they're on loan for a reason, it's because they're not playing as much as they should be. We know him and he can step straight in.

"He's excited about coming. It was a tough decision, Joe Welch is on loan at Bromley so we could have called him back but it just fitted well, so it all helps."

Cronin’s second debut ended in a 6-2 away defeat to Blue Square Bet Premier leaders Fleetwood Town last night.

Jamie Vardy hit a hat-trick at Highbury as Fleetwood hammered Ebbsfleet to do their goal difference a power of good.

Ebbsfleet shocked the home side when Liam Enver-Marum found the top corner.

But the Cod Army roared back to lead 4-1 by the break, thanks to goals from Gareth Seddon, Peter Cavanagh, Vardy and an Andy Mangan penalty.

Vardy scored two long-range stunners to make it 6-1 by the hour but Enver-Marum had the last word with his second goal.

Daish said: "We showed naivety at times and a lack of communication against a side who you can see why they are top of the league.

"They were brighter, sharper, fitter and clinical with their finishing. You can see why they will probably end up in the league next year.

"Jamie Vardy, what's he (worth) - £750,000? That buys the whole club for us."

Meanwhile, electrical-cable thieves have forced Ebbsfleet United to bring forward the kick-off time of Saturday's match.

Two pieces of electrical cable the length of the pitch were stolen, putting two floodlights out of action.

Tonight's reserve game against Chelmsford City has been postponed.

And Southport's visit to Stonebridge Road on Saturday has been brought forward an hour to 2pm so it finishes in daylight.

Club officials hope repair work can be done in time for the club's next home game on 13 March.

The theft, which happened overnight on Sunday, saw one cable cut from the sub-station in Stonebridge Road which served two of the floodlights.

The other stolen cable powered club buildings, including its main food outlets.

Director Jessica McQueen said: "We are making plans about how we are going to serve food in other areas.

"The thing that irritates me, apart from the people who took (the cables), is the people who buy it. If people stopped buying it, no-one would steal it."

Thieves also targeted the club's ground the previous weekend, stealing tools and damaging a tractor.

Article courtesy of BBC Radio Kent www.bbc.co.uk/kent/sport  

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

Ebbsfleet United  v  Southport
Blue Square Bet Premier
Saturday 25^th February 2012
Kick Off 2:00pm
At Stonebridge Road, Northfleet, Kent DA11 9GN