Ebbsfleet eased to an opening day victory against Chippenham at Stonebridge Road on Saturday.

The visitors' cause was not helped by a red card in the first half but the Fleet, who were already ahead at that stage, always appeared to have too much for them.

It was nearly the perfect start for Ebbsfleet, Rakish Bingham’s persistence ensured he won the ball near halfway and played in Dominic Poleon. The striker rounded keeper Will Henry but skipper Spencer Hamilton got back to clear off the line, and Henry then denied Bingham when the hosts recycled the loose ball.

Chippenham looked a threat on the counter, Noah Coppin getting clear but shooting wide of the far upright before Alefe Santos’ low shot was kept out by Fleet keeper Mark Cousins, one of four debutants in the hosts’ line-up.

Just as the visitors looked to be getting a foothold in the game, Ebbsfleet went ahead.

Referee Callum Walchester played an advantage as Hamilton took out Craig Tanner, allowing Greg Cundle to burst forward and he cut in from the left wing and slotted home via the upright to give his side a 28th-minute lead.

Tanner nearly added a second six minutes later, his delicious first touch in the box creating an opening that was snuffed out by Henry’s smart stop.

Chippenham’s task was made even harder seven minutes before the break. The pace of another Fleet newboy, Omari Sterling-James, saw him burst behind the Chippenham defence, his shirt being pulled back by Mat Jones. Sterling-James got his shot away but the officials decided it was a professional foul, giving the Fleet a free-kick and, after much deliberation, a red card.

The second half saw the Fleet dominate possession against the 10 men, who looked to play on the break.

Chances came and went for Bingham and Tanner before Fleet put the result beyond doubt midway through the second half by doubling their lead.

Cundle’s cross-shot was kept out and when Poleon was denied by the rebound, substitute Toby Edser tapped in from close range just five minutes after coming on for his debut having joined from Aldershot during pre-season.

Chippenham substitute Sebastian Palmer-Houlden had a chance to reply almost immediately but dragged his shot wide of the near post from the edge of the area.

The impressive Sterling-James was denied a debut goal by Henry before Christian N’Guessan’s eye-catching run into the box failed to create a third for the home side.

That third goal should have arrived nine minutes from time as Bingham set up Edser, who showed great vision to play in Poleon, only for the striker to drag his right-foot shot wide of the upright.

Ebbsfleet eventually added to their tally two minutes later, substitute Darren McQueen marking his return to the club with a lovely left-foot finish after cutting in from the right.

Ebbsfleet: Cousins, O'Neill, Martin, Wright (Edser 62mins), Sterling-James, N'Guessan, Bingham, Tanner, Poleon, Cundle (McQueen 76mins), Solly. Subs not used: Haigh, Chapman, Finney.

Chippenham: Henry, Jones, Hamilton, Martinez, Richards, Santos, Gunner (Palmer-Houlden 55mins), Hanks, Coppin, Russe, Parker (Simpson 43mins). Subs not used: Mehew, Bradbury, King.

Referee: Callum Walchester.

Attendance: 1,065.