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Ebbsfleet United 1 Bromley 3

Ebbsfleet's Michael Thalassitis finds his path blocked (Pic: Andy Payton)
Ebbsfleet's Michael Thalassitis finds his path blocked (Pic: Andy Payton)

Ebbsfleet suffered their second home defeat in five days when Bromley won 3-1 at Stonebridge Road on New Year's Day.

The runaway Skrill South leaders finished clinically and defended stoutly at a rainswept Stonebridge Road to put 19 points between themselves and the north Kent side.

Bromley were completely dominant by the end, while the Fleet are now without a win in their last three outings.

Ebbsfleet's team bore two changes from their 2-0 defeat to Dover on Saturday. Chris Sessegnon replaced Alex Osborn on the right wing, while Ben May was preferred to Michael Thalassitis in attack.

The only alteration to the Bromley side which won 2-1 at Whitehawk saw nine-goal forward Pierre Joseph-Dubois come in for Ryan Hall.

In driving wind and rain, there were early half-chances for both sides.

Bradley Goldberg had a shot blocked for the visitors, before Billy Bricknell's deep cross was kept in by Anthony Cook at the other end. The winger turned the ball towards goal but the angle was against him and goalkeeper Joe Welch pulled off a straightforward save.

But the appalling conditions made for a scrappy contest, despite the best efforts of both sides to play the ball on the floor.

May's involvement was cut short midway through the first half when he came off injured and Thalassitis took his place.

And the Stevenage loanee was straight into the action, seeing a goalbound shot blocked before Dean Rance drilled another effort wide from just outside the Bromley box.

Ebbsfleet were furious when Jack Holland wasn't penalised for a strong tackle on Cook, and the Ravens then broke to register their first serious effort on goal. Ashley Nicholls saw his shot held by Edwards - but Bromley were ahead less than a minute later.

Persistent work by Brendan Kiernan got him to the byline and when the ball was cut back from the right, Joseph-Dubois took a touch and calmly placed the ball beyond Edwards.

Preston Edwards Picture: Andy Payton
Preston Edwards Picture: Andy Payton

Bromley have made winning a habit this season and they gave the Fleet only scraps on which to feed for the rest of the game.

Cook, as normal, was the home side's brightest spark, and he crunched a free-kick just wide after being chopped down on the edge of the box.

The visitors reached the break with their lead intact, but they almost had it wiped out at the start of the second period.

Cook laid the ball into the path of the overlapping Aiden Palmer and his teasing cross from the left was headed back across goal and just wide by Bricknell.

However, Bromley took total control with a second goal on 57 minutes.

Danny Waldren's swirling free-kick from the right wasn't properly cleared and when the ball feel at the feet of Jake Reid, he slipped it low past Edwards into the far corner.

Ebbsfleet tried to respond and Joe Howe drilled a shot over before manager Steve Brown introduced Daryl McMahon and Osborn from the bench.

Billy Bricknell
Billy Bricknell

But the Ravens simply dropped deeper into defence and soaked up the pressure.

They almost grabbed a third when a fine passing move ended with Reid cutting inside and forcing a good low save from Edwards.

Goldberg did make it 3-0, though, pouncing from close range, to give the scoreline a look which reflected Bromley's superiority.

Mark Goldberg's side finished the game looking stronger in every department, despite Bricknell stabbing in a late Cook cross for a consolation goal for Ebbsfleet, and the win leaves them 11 points clear at the top of the table.

Ebbsfleet: Edwards, Howe, Lorraine, Sankofa, Palmer, Sessegnon (Osborn 64mins), Corcoran, Rance (McMahon 62mins), Cook, May (Thalassitis 20mins), Bricknell. Subs not used: Hall, Long.

Bromley: Welch, Pooley, Anderson, Waldren (Buchanan 74mins), Swaine, Holland, Joseph-Dubois (Swallow 74mins), Nicholls, Reid, Goldberg, Kiernan (Jarrett 86mins). Subs not used: Hall, McDonnell.

Attendance: 998.

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