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Cody McDonald: Ebbsfleet United striker relishing his reunion with former Gillingham team-mate Danny Kedwell

They say good things come to those who wait and after four years apart, Cody McDonald and Danny Kedwell are once again proving their quality as a strike partnership.

It was December 28, 2014 when the pair started together for Gillingham for the final time - against Bristol City in League 1.

A week later, Kedwell had signed for Ebbsfleet while McDonald would later go on to play for AFC Wimbledon.

Danny Kedwell and Cody McDonald scored three goals between them on Boxing Day Picture: Sean Aidan
Danny Kedwell and Cody McDonald scored three goals between them on Boxing Day Picture: Sean Aidan

But the Fleet picked up McDonald on a free transfer in November and after a handful of substitute appearances, he was named in the team to play against Braintree on Boxing Day.

There was less than a minute on the clock when McDonald raced down the right and squared for Kedwell to open the scoring from just inside the penalty area.

Kedwell returned the favour in the second half, laying on McDonald's first goal for the club.

McDonald said: "You can work hard with players on and off the pitch and sometimes it just doesn’t click.

"But me and Keds seem to have the same sort of relationship I used to have with Akinfenwa.

Danny Kedwell celebrates his second goal against Braintree on Boxing Day Picture: Sean Aidan
Danny Kedwell celebrates his second goal against Braintree on Boxing Day Picture: Sean Aidan

"We just know where each other are; he knows I’m going to gamble off him, I know where he is to flick it on to him and it just works nicely.

"But we won’t rest on that, we won’t take it for granted. We’ll keep working hard in training to make sure it’s correct every game that we play."

McDonald had no club for the first four months of the season but he's looked sharper with each appearance for Ebbsfleet.

He said: "There’s more to come, no doubt about that but that 90 minutes is definitely going to help the cause.

"I’m feeling good in training, working hard and doing my own little bits outside training.

Cody McDonald under pressure from Braintree captain Joe Ellul Picture: Sean Aidan
Cody McDonald under pressure from Braintree captain Joe Ellul Picture: Sean Aidan

"I’ve been getting myself in some decent positions and they’re chances I know I will take. Maybe it was that lack of match practice but I was itching to get more chances, even after the goal.

"I’ll keep getting in those positions, whether I’m scoring or not and it’s only a matter of time before a few of them start going in."

Fleet have picked up 10 of a possible 15 points in the National League since McDonald's arrival.

He said: "The quality in this squad is unbelievable.

"There’s always a team that makes a late charge and I know we’re hovering just outside the play-offs at the minute but there’s so much quality here.

"If we can keep everyone fit and fighting for places and keep everyone on top of their game, there’s no reason it can’t be us."

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