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Ebbsfleet United 1 Basingstoke Town 2 match report

Liam Enver-Marum scored a late winner to knock Ebbsfleet out of the FA Cup on Saturday.

The home side struck first in the third qualifying round tie at The PHB Stadium when Charlie Sheringham scored early in the second half.

But the Fleet were left to rue a string of missed opportunities when goals from Chris Flood, and then former Fleet striker Enver-Marum, inside the last 18 minutes, sent the Vanarama Conference South leaders through.

Matt Johnson challenges for a high ball Picture: Andy Payton
Matt Johnson challenges for a high ball Picture: Andy Payton

Steve Brown had hinted at making several alterations to the team which drew 0-0 with Eastbourne Borough in midweek, to give some of his fringe players much-needed game time. But in the end, Shane Huke for Kenny Clark in central defence was the Ebbsfleet manager's only change.

The visitors, who beat Whitehawk 1-0 on Tuesday, brought in Jamie Brown and Andrew Jenkinson for Simon Dunn and Manny Williams.

The home side did everything but score in the first half.

Matt Johnson had an early shot parried by Town keeper Stuart Moore and the ball fell at Billy Bricknell's feet with the goal gaping. Somehow the striker managed to hit the crossbar - but the offside flag spared Bricknell's blushes.

A mis-hit Jay Gasson shot fell to Enver-Marum at the other end but he, like Bricknell before him, was in an offside position. In any case, Brandon Hall stood tall to save.

Johnson's long throw from the left was begging to be headed in as it sailed through the six-yard box, but neither Anthony Acheampong or Sheringham could get a touch.

When Hall's flat kick was helped into Bricknell's path by Anthony Cook, he ran on into the box and unleashed a powerful left-footed strike which Moore did well to tip over.

Moore was then beaten by a Cook strike from the corner of the box which drifted just wide.

It was all Fleet now and Moore was increasingly busy. McMahon drilled a deep corner to the far side of the 18-yard box and Acheampong's towering header back into the danger zone eventually fell for Sheringham. He took aim but again Moore came to Basingstoke's rescue.

McMahon's next delivery was a fizzing free-kick from the right which evaded defenders and attackers alike. It was heading inside the near post until Moore pushed the ball out.

Ebbsfleet's Billy Bricknell tussles with Basingstoke skipper Jay Gasson Picture: Andy Payton
Ebbsfleet's Billy Bricknell tussles with Basingstoke skipper Jay Gasson Picture: Andy Payton

Chances were coming from everywhere. Johnson got a foot in to block Tom Bird's attempted pass and the ball ran perfectly for Sheringham, between two defenders. He arrowed a low shot across Moore but the ball flashed just the wrong side of the post.

Moore saved - again - when Johnson got his head to a McMahon free-kick, with Huke heading over from the resulting corner.

There was nothing Moore could do about a brilliant McMahon free-kick from 20 yards which flew over the wall - but the ball smacked the post and bounced back out.

Basingstoke finally showed some attacking intent in the final minutes of the first half.

Hall pushed Flood's free-kick round the post and then kept out a point-blank header from Brown.

But his opposite number was in the thick of the action again at the start of the second half.

Another long Johnson throw was allowed to bounce in the six-yard box and the home fans expected the net to bulge when Bricknell pulled the trigger, only for Moore to pull off another terrific save.

McMahon tried his luck from 25 yards but the ball skimmed the side-netting.

But then, with 53 minutes played, the opening goal finally arrived.

Cook tricked his way to the byline and teased over a cross which Dean Rance looked certain to convert. Moore produced another unbelievable save to claw the ball out but Sheringham craned his neck to head the ball home at the far post.

Charlie Sheringham is nearing full fitness after a long spell on the sidelines Picture: Andy Payton
Charlie Sheringham is nearing full fitness after a long spell on the sidelines Picture: Andy Payton

Now the visitors were on the ropes and Ebbsfleet could sense a second goal.

Cook curled one shot wide but went much closer with his next effort, a brilliant attempted chip which was dropping under the bar until Moore dived high to his left to claw the ball out.

How the home side weren't 2-0 up was baffling, especially when Sheringham, Bricknell and McMahon cut the Basingstoke defence wide open, only for Cook to spurn his chance when the ball reached him. McMahon drilled the rebound over.

And that missed opportunity - and all those which had gone before - looked even more costly when Basingstoke equalised from their next attack. Flood beat Hall with a terrific left-footed strike which flashed into the far corner of the net.

A long kick by Hall reached substitute Matty Godden with 10 minutes remaining but his shot was deflected into the side-netting.

Then came the winning goal, Enver-Marum heading home Bird's right-wing cross seven minutes from time.

Ebbsfleet finished with 10 men when Joe Howe, the last man, was shown a straight red card for bringing down substitute Lloyd Macklin as he burst over the halfway line.

Ebbsfleet: Hall, Howe, Acheampong, Huke, Palmer, Johnson (Godden 77mins), Rance, McMahon, Cook, Sheringham, Bricknell. Subs not used: Clark, Edwards, Corcoran, Sessegnon, Sanderson, Mazzone.

Basingstoke: Moore, Smart (Rice 46mins), Bird, Soares, Gasson, Ray, Brown, McAuley, Enver-Marum, Flood, Jenkinson (Macklin 67mins). Subs not used: Argent, Hallaman, Jones, Vawake, Stubbs.

Attendance: 953.

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