EBBSFLEET U 3,

ALDERSHOT TN 1

ALDERSHOT were again exposed by a more clinical and resourceful Ebbsfleet United in Kent on Saturday as their hangover from May’s play-off defeat continued.

United’s Eliminator victory at the EBB Stadium had highlighted the Shots’ shortcomings in prematurely ending a season which had promised so much, and just six games later they were once more able to illustrate why Gary Waddock’s side have taken such faltering steps into the new campaign.

This was an improved performance following an anaemic defeat to Harrogate, but again Aldershot failed to sustain a full 90 minutes.

Jake Cole’s personal redemption as a goalkeeper of massive repute has only served to highlight his colleague’s defensive frailties. Here, he gave another impressive performance which not only kept his side in the game but, until the final 20 minutes, suggested they might be able to snatch a valuable point.

Ultimately, though, and despite some initially resolute defending, he was beaten three times to condemn the visitors to a fourth loss in six matches.

“The lads started the game really well, so it’s a hard scoreline to take, but it could have been a couple more if I’m being brutally honest,” admitted Waddock after seeing Ebbsfleet create ample chances to have sealed victory long before the end. “We wanted to play at a high tempo, and we haven’t done that enough this season. We left ourselves wide open and didn’t adapt quickly enough. There were some positives, but this is a results-based business and we need to start picking up results.”

Matt McClure typified Aldershot’s desire to take the game to Ebbsfleet and his flying header to meet Luke Wanadio’s perfect inswinging cross snatched an eighth-minute lead. But Cole soon emerged as the game’s key protagonist, parrying Jack King’s strong header, Andy Drury’s curling drive and an angled shot from Corey Whitely.

Opposite number Nathan Ashmore was alert to block Wanadio’s snap shot, but even Cole couldn’t prevent the impressive Sean Shields equalising on 35 minutes. Superb saves to deny Ebou Adams and Danny Kedwell only served to set up Shields who bundled in the rebound.

Cole then tipped a bouncing header from former Shots defender Dave Winfield over the crossbar – in the immediate aftermath of which Adams alleged racial abuse from a Shots supporter standing behind the goal.

But aside from two Wanadio efforts, the visitors failed to re-assert themselves in the second half and United stole into the lead on 72 minutes. A partially sliced clearance from Cole allowed Sam Magri to break into the penalty area and tee up Drury for a neat finish at the near post.

The result was confirmed nine minutes later as Ebbsfleet launched a lethal counter-attack from a Shots corner.

Luke Coulson sent Myles Weston racing through and, when his shot was parried by Cole, Shields drove in the loose ball from the edge of the box.

Coulson and substitute Michael Cheek had chances to extend the lead and even though Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong hit the underside of the crossbar in the final minute, the Shots were well beaten.

Ebbsfleet: Ashmore, Rance, Winfield, Magri, Drury, Adams (Bush 79), King, Weston, Kedwell (Cheek 84), Shields, Whitely (Coulson 65). Subs (not used): Powell, McQueen.

Aldershot: Cole; Bernard, Lelan, Smith, Kinsella (Rowe 78); Gallagher, Howell, McDonnell; Wanadio, McClure (Berkeley-Agyepong 59), Holman (Rendell 59). Subs (not used): Oualah. Booked: Bernard.

Referee: Joe Hull.

Attendance: 1,233.