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Ebbsfleet United boss Daryl McMahon disappointed with his side's performance against Molesey in the FA Trophy

Daryl McMahon described Ebbsfleet's performance against Molesey as "a smack in the face" despite his side winning the FA Trophy third qualifying round tie 4-1.

Fleet were 3-0 up inside 12 minutes but didn't add to their score until the visitors had pulled a goal back in the second half.

The Ryman League Division 1 South side also had a goal disallowed at 3-1 which would have really set nerves jangling around Stonebridge Road.

Ebbsfleet United manager Daryl McMahon Picture: Andy Payton
Ebbsfleet United manager Daryl McMahon Picture: Andy Payton

McMahon was agitated and angry at times and he gave a frank assessment after the game.

"Barring the first 15 minutes, we were poor," he said. "There was no real tempo to our play, we were disjointed, didn't move it well enough, took too many touches, weren't ruthless enough around their box - it was just a poor performance really.

"We got the goals, went ahead and then I just thought we were poor. There's no other way of describing it.

"I just thought we lacked real intensity in our play - and that's something we've had all season. We didn't have it today, as a group, and hopefully it's a one-off.

"A handful of the boys did themselves justice and the rest didn't.

"Kedwell was outstanding, Godden was decent off him, Rance and Lewis were obviously reliable but that was probably it.

"It's a real smack in the face, considering what we've done this season. I didn't expect to see that performance. It's caught me off guard, caught me by surprise."

Two goals from Godden and one from Kedwell seemed to have the tie won almost before it had started - so did things become too easy for Ebbsfleet at 3-0?

"Nothing's too easy," McMahon said. "It's probably a problem we've got in this country, in football - everyone thinks something's too easy. Nothing's ever too easy, no matter what the score is.

"We probably did take our foot off the gas and we're not good enough to take our foot off the gas. No team is, against anyone.

"We discussed it at half-time. I honestly feel we played well for 15 minutes and the rest of the game, we weren't good enough.

"It was a surprise to me and it was disappointing to see that. But they've been terrific all season and hopefully we've got that out of the way now."

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