We must beat the teams around us, says Daish

Sunday 27th December 2009

EBBSFLEET UNITED gave themselves a Boxing Day boost by climbing above their Essex neighbours Grays Athletic in the Blue Square Premier table, with a morale boosting 2-1 win over them at Stonebridge Road, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Fleet took the lead after just ten minutes when Leon Crooks set up leading goalscorer Magno Vieira, who fired home his sixth goal of the season.

But Grays equalised midway through the first half when Ryan James struck from just outside of the box but Ricky Shakes’ first goal of the season sealed the Kent side a vital victory with eleven minutes remaining with a fine solo goal.

The Fleet’s fourth league win in 25 league games has clawed them up to 22nd place in the table with 18 points, but their next two league games, away at Hayes & Yeading United tomorrow, and the return match at Grays Athletic, remain must-win games.

Manager Liam Daish, who was speaking to BBC Radio Kent, was pleased that his side picked up the three points against fellow strugglers.

“Very, very big three points for us, against a side that are in and around us and it was a good performance,” he said.

“It reminded me of the Mansfield game really; a good start, a good goal and an individual mistake (where) we conceded one, but in the second half we bounced back and everyone played their part.”

With defender Ross Smith now back in America following his brief spell at Stonebridge Road, Daish was pleased with Dean Pooley for slotting back into the back four.

“I was pleased for Dean,” praised Daish. “He came in and he looked stronger as the game went on, but as I say, they all played their part.”

Three wins from their last five league games has given Ebbsfleet United the belief they need to maintain their present league status, after a disastrous start to the season, which included going eight games without scoring.

“Getting results against Stevenage and Mansfield were good,” said Daish. “We needed them but these are the big ones, winning games in and around you and we’ve got another one on Monday and it will be the same at Hayes & Yeading.”

Hayes & Yeading were thumped 5-0 by AFC Wimbledon on Boxing Day, and Daish hopes his side can claim back-to-back wins for only the second time this season.

“Confidence is there and the lads have put up with a fair bit in the last few weeks, struggling for training facilities and the postponed game against Histon but they’ve kept their discipline and I think we showed that today as well,” added Daish.

“They’ve acted like good pros and looked after themselves over Christmas and hopefully they will be in good nick for Monday as well.

“We haven’t got time to celebrate in a way. We’ll enjoy it but come Monday we’ve got a tough game. We’ve got to play a team around us but away from home and we want to get something from two away fixtures, so they’ll be tough.”

When asked about the west Londoners looking to bounce back, Daish replied, “Every manager in this league is so determined to turn things around.

“They’ve done well Hayes, so it’s going to be a difficult game. We’ve got to make sure that we don’t get on the receiving end of any sort of backlash.

“We’ve got to go there and forget about this, what’s happened today and purely focus on getting something at Hayes.”

Daish then takes his side to Grays on New Year’s Day and he’s expecting another tough battle against the Essex side.

“To be fair to Grays, they contested it very well and they were strong and physical,” admitted Daish.

“Julian Dicks, he’s a winner and he’s going to want to get a bit of revenge, but that’s two games away. We’ve got to concentrate on Monday first.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game

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

Quotes courtesy off BBC Radio Kent www.bbc.co.uk/kent

Hayes & Yeading United v Ebbsfleet United

Blue Square Premier

Bank Holiday Monday, 28th December 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Church Road, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 2LE