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Boreham Wood 0 Ebbsfleet United 0 match report

Ebbsfleet extended their unbeaten run to six matches with a goalless draw at Boreham Wood on Saturday.

Both sides had chances at Meadow Park but ultimately lacked quality in front of goal.

Fleet drew a blank for the second week running but again looked well-organised in defence.

Ebbsfleet manager Garry Hill Picture: Andy Jones
Ebbsfleet manager Garry Hill Picture: Andy Jones

With Ebou Adams and Myles Weston on international duty, Andy Drury and Sean Shields came into an Ebbsfleet side otherwise unchanged from the FA Cup draw against Cheltenham.

Boreham Wood's line-up included former Fleet favourites Mark Ricketts and Ricky Shakes as well as former loanee Gozie Ugwu, who played against them on the opening day of the season for Chesterfield.

Ebbsfleet made a super start, creating several good chances inside the first five minutes.

Shields, playing wide on the left, provided plenty of ammunition with three of his crosses almost converted by Corey Whitely, Dave Winfield and then Drury.

The home side looked extremely sluggish and Whitely curled a shot wide after Wood failed to deal with another ball from the left.

Shields' next ball in reached Whitely and his header forced a save from Ryan Huddart as the one-way traffic continued.

Gradually the hosts got a foothold in the game but when Femi Ilesanmi's shot ricocheted into the path of Justin Shaibu, there was Jack Payne with a crucial block.

Kieran Murtagh's free-kick deflected behind for a corner but Danny Kedwell then powered a shot wide from 20 yards after being gifted possession by some sloppy Wood defending.

The lively Shields whipped in another good cross and when Huddart got fingertips to his low delivery, Kedwell couldn't quite stretch to convert the rebound.

Boreham Wood had more of the ball as the first half drew to a close but most of their possession was in front of the visitors, who kept their shape well.

Ilesanmi linked well with Shaibu down the left and his cross skimmed the crossbar before drifting out for a throw-in.

The final chance of the half fell to Fleet and again it was created by Shields but Luke Coulson's touch let him down at the crucial moment.

Kedwell did well to hook the ball into Whitely's path after the restart but he was crowded out by white shirts as he reached the penalty area.

The game was going through something of a lull and Ashmore saved easily when Shaibu pulled the trigger from distance.

Garry Hill made a double substitution just before the hour, sending on Michael Cheek and on-loan Coventry forward Reise Allassani.

The game was turning into a real midfield battle now with the home side beginning to get a grip on proceedings.

Fleet, though, soaked up the pressure even if their quality on the ball was lacking when they did get forward.

Shields sent a wild shot well wide from 30 yards but Allassani forced Huddart to save well with his legs when Drury sent him clear down the inside-left channel.

Hill's intention to win the game was clear when he sent on Darren McQueen for the last 10 minutes and had Cheek managed to sort his feet out when a Chris Bush cross ran for him in the box, Ebbsfleet might have taken the lead.

Whitely bent a free-kick inches wide from 30 yards before Dave Winfield was booked after a scrap with David Stephens, as the players waited for a Wood corner, which sparked a melee.

But four added minutes passed with neither side able to conjure up a late winner.

Boreham Wood: Huddart, Woodards (Thomas 60mins), Ilesanmi, Ricketts, Stephens, Shakes, Champion, Murtagh, Fyfield, Ugwu (Umerah 60mins), Shaibu (Ash 73mins). Subs not used: Parry, Smith.

Ebbsfleet: Ashmore, Magri, Winfield, Clark, Bush, Payne, Drury, Whitely, Coulson (Allassani 58mins), Shields (McQueen 79mins), Kedwell (Cheek 58mins). Subs not used: King, Wilson.

Attendance: 724 (201 away).

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