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Dartford 0 Ebbsfleet United 1 match report

Jordan Parkes scored the only goal as Ebbsfleet recorded their first win at Princes Park on Bank Holiday Monday.

His early strike was just enough to see off a spirited Dartford side who threw everything at their local rivals after the break.

Ebbsfleet finished with 10 men after Dean Rance picked up a second yellow card late on but they held on to claim a first league win in Dartford since 1983.

Ebbsfleet full-back Joe Howe challenges Dartford's Ryan Hayes on the touchline Picture: Ruth Cuerden
Ebbsfleet full-back Joe Howe challenges Dartford's Ryan Hayes on the touchline Picture: Ruth Cuerden

The most eye-catching piece of team news saw academy graduate Ebou Adams named in the Dartford XI. He took the place of Barry Cogan, who wasn't involved, while Ryan Hayes returned on the right wing in place of Danny Harris.

Ebbsfleet made just one change from the team which started against Whitehawk on Saturday. Matt Godden, who made a big impact after coming off the bench in that game, was handed a start while John Paul Kissock dropped to the bench.

Parkes kept his place in the side despite, like Kissock, having been substituted at half-time at the weekend.

And it was Parkes who opened the scoring on seven minutes, punishing some poor defending down the Dartford left. Stuart Lewis showed great persistence to get the wrong side of Callum McNaughton although the centre-half still should not have let Lewis get his cross in. A deflection carried the ball to Parkes at the far post and he stabbed the ball past Deren Ibrahim's right hand.

The goal had Dartford rocking defensively for a little while. Brandon Hall's long punt forward, flicked on by Danny Kedwell, caused them more problems moments later.

Ibrahim did well to grab Godden's cross from the left as the ball skipped up off the greasy surface and the pair duelled again soon after. Robbie Willmott played a pass into Godden's feet and he spun before shooting straight at Ibrahim - although the offside flag was up.

But as the half wore on, Dartford started to see more of the ball.

Danny Kedwell holds the ball up for Ebbsfleet under pressure from Lee Burns Picture: Ruth Cuerden
Danny Kedwell holds the ball up for Ebbsfleet under pressure from Lee Burns Picture: Ruth Cuerden

Hayes had two shots saved by Hall, the first a low near-post effort and the second a clever curling strike from the edge of the box following good work by Lee Noble and Jack Simmons wide on the left.

A wild strike by Kedwell which flew high and wide summed up the Fleet's frustration at the other end, chances having dried up for the men in red shirts.

The home crowd were furious when Tom Bradbrook was penalised as he ran through on goal, shoulder-to-shoulder with Kenny Clark. It looked a 50-50 tussle at best, with Clark possibly fouling Bradbrook, and Elliot Bradbrook was so incensed by the decision he was cautioned for dissent.

Adams was growing into the game in a big way, the young man fearlessly mixing it with established professionals. He climbed high to head over from Simmons' cross and then snapped into a terrific tackle on Clark, winning the ball cleanly and getting the home crowd going.

Dartford started off the second half as they finished the first - on the front foot.

Hayes whipped a free-kick into the box and when the ball ran free, Adams had a powerful shot deflected behind. McNaughton got his head to the resulting corner but failed to hit the target.

Ebbsfleet forward Matt Godden tries to find a way past Tom Gardiner Picture: Ruth Cuerden
Ebbsfleet forward Matt Godden tries to find a way past Tom Gardiner Picture: Ruth Cuerden

But at the other end, Clark almost made it 2-0 only to be denied by a brilliant diving save from Ibrahim when he got his head to a Willmott free-kick.

That turned out to be Willmott's last contribution as he was replaced by Danny Haynes just before the hour.

Tony Burman sent on Danny Harris and Kaka Dembele in an attempt to change the game, with Kissock entering the fray for Ebbsfleet in between.

Dartford began to really pile on the pressure and they were given a lift when Rance saw red with 10 minutes remaining. Rance and Noble challenged for the same ball, Rance got there second and referee Sam Purkiss had little choice but to send the midfielder off.

Still the Darts kept pouring forward, Elliot Bradbrook and Dembele shooting wide, before Haynes got free at the other end and lashed an effort past the post.

But it finished 1-0 and both sides were rightly clapped from the field after a pulsating derby.

Dartford: Ibrahim, Burns, Onyemah, Gardiner, McNaughton, Noble, Hayes (Harris 59mins), E Bradbrook, T Bradbrook, Adams (Sykes 84mins), Simmons (Dembele 70mins). Subs not used: Vint, Turner.

Ebbsfleet: Hall, Fish, Howe, S Lewis, Clark, Bonner, Rance, Parkes, Kedwell (Cunnington 84mins), Godden (Kissock 66mins), Willmott (Haynes 56mins). Subs not used: Acheampong, Miles.

Attendance: 2,251.

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