VNL#4 vs. Ebbsfleet Utd (match-thread)

[Andy K]

That's 2 fantastic team performances on the bounce now. Hard fought but we'll worth the points. You'll be hard pushed to find a more settled side at this point in the season.

1 point per game from here on in and we survive another year. But at the moment we're looking much better than that...

[VCLXI]

Aug 14, 2018 20:52:00 GMT davef said:

And could this set a record for a match report ? www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/sport/report-fleet-lose-to-us-188014/

Bit of a miss leading headline there. Thought Sutton won 1-0.....wonderful start to the season.

[Paul L]

Quickly thrown together sequence of pics for Craig's goal this evening:

[Amber Aleman]

There was something a little freakish about that goal. Ebbsfleet had had slightly the better of the opening exchanges but, after their free kick was cleared, Craig Eastmond broke down the right, seized on the under-hit back header and was brought down by Nathan Ashmore just after he'd got his shot away. The ball ended up in the net, but had it not then the keeper would surely have been sent off.

So, having broken our Stonebridge Road hoodoo last season, we imperiously repeated April's 1-0 winning scoreline. Aaron Drinan started up front alongside Ross, with Josh and Kieron in the wide positions and Dan Wishart filling in at left back for the suspended Aswad Thomas. This was a game that both sides tried to win, but with the two pairs of central defenders largely in control, the attacking threat came mainly down the flanks.

After the goal we gradually got a grip on the match, although there was the inevitable late spell of home pressure to withstand, complete with a string of corners, all successfully defended.

As Gareth L observed, ten points from an awkward-looking quartet of opening fixtures is a great return (and certainly more than I expected). We're now in third place on goal difference. Very early days of course, but we could hardly have wished for a better start.

[surreyu]

The work rate over the last two games has just been incredible, well done lads.

[SG]

Thought we were pretty fortunate to be 1-0 up at the break as we allowed them opportunities to create clear chances, but second half I don't remember Butler having a save to make. They applied plenty of pressure late on but I don't think we were under as much genuine threat, and probably should have put the game to bed ourselves on the counter.

What was, on paper, a tough set of fixtures to start the season, has returned 10 points. Can't complain with that, really.

[amberchoc]

Aug 15, 2018 10:16:41 GMT SG said:

Thought we were pretty fortunate to be 1-0 up at the break as we allowed them opportunities to create clear chances, but second half I don't remember Butler having a save to make. They applied plenty of pressure late on but I don't think we were under as much genuine threat, and probably should have put the game to bed ourselves on the counter.

What was, on paper, a tough set of fixtures to start the season, has returned 10 points. Can't complain with that, really.

And amazingly, we’re even one point better off than we were at this stage last season. I am so impressed with this start.

[Del]

Very exciting times.This looks like a better team than we had last season.
Hope we don't get bogged down with these Mickey Mouse Cups as it looks like we can challenge for the league.

[johnnie1]

Match report on the SLS site:

www.southlondonsport.co.uk/2018/08/defensive-masterclass-secures-points-at.html

Very, very impressive result that

[markf]

Like London buses waiting for wins at Stonebridge Road. Certainly wasn't expecting that last night after the much-hyped Ebbsfleet pre-season.

It was a great match played on a pristine surface, U's first on grass this season.

Kenny D went close in the first minutes but U's had Cloughie to thank for a brilliant goal line clearance moments later. The home side had some joy down the flanks but once again the defence held firm. Aaron Drinan got away but Ashmore is a wide load to beat at his near post and moments later the two faced up again this time from AD's header.

The goal came out of the blue. A ball forward from Ross L looked comfortable for the defende but Craig E, who was immense all match, kept chasing and a poor header back allowed him to get a boot to the ball and over Ashmore. Probably fortunate for the 'keeper that ball rolled in as he cleaned Craig out and even with double jeopardy his challenge would have had a good case for a red. Even though we scored he should have been booked for the challenge.

Just before ht, Jamie B didn't get enough purchase on a punch but was quick to retreat to pull off his best save of the night from a well struck shot from the edge of the box.

Second half, the home side had much possession but it was U's who made the clearer chances. AD should have scored when KC's quick throw got him clear while later Tom B went so close with a header after Dan W had shown power and pace down the left to provide the cross.

Defensively, U's were immense. Cloughie and Skip gave Kedwell & co little joy while the midfield worked tirelessly to break up play and break with intent.

Someone said to me that at ht our lead was "twilight" robbery. Have to disagree. And over the 90 mins we created as good as chances as Ebbsfleet. A hard earned three points for players and fans to celebrate at the end.

I got very annoyed with the ref at times last night. In general he had a decent game but the booking of Dan W was a joke and based on crowd reaction. When he kicked the ball the lino hadn't even flagged for ball out of play and as said earlier, the likeable Ashmore should have been booked for his challenge on Craig E. He did play some good advantage and their massive handball shout in the second half couldn't be given as he was too far away and Dale B had his back to him, so good judgement. Probably the best we have had this season.

Ten points from four matches is more than I expected. Brilliant from the players and the management too who have shown some fine tactical nous especially with their use of subs.

Onto another stiff test; a much improved Solihull on what is one of the worst pitches in the NL. Hopefully at this time of the year it will be ok.

[markf]

Should add - and with no disrespect to prog editor - 'Fleet's programme is excellent. No less than 8 pages given over to Sutton with a bit more than the standard stuff you normally get. It is also superb in design and the rest of the content is very good to. An early contender for prog of the year.

[ry4nstaples]

Hiya guys long time no post, i just thought id like to say that win last night was an excellent success, that hopefully we can continue our winning ways.

Paul, i was just wondering if you have a collection or a page where I can see your photos from yesterday? Thanks in advance

[Paul L]

Ryan, they'll be up either very late this evening or tomorrow evening.

[ry4nstaples]

Ok mate thank you I’ll keep my eye out

[baboonfish]

Not much to add except I thought the ref was very decent and Fleet were very dangerous until we adjusted our shape and neutralised their threat down our left and in the hole. They didn't seem to have a plan B and we definitely had the better of the chances after the goal.

From the opposite end of the ground no idea how strong the penalty appeals were but smelled of desperation really, as they honestly never looked like they could breach our wall of yellow in the 2nd half. Another awesome defensive performance.

On another note, how is Kedwell (or 'fedwell' as trev christened him) deemed in appropriate condition to play 90 mins of football? Its no wonder his influence faded after the 30 mins mark and its very surprising to see a professional footballer (assuming all Ebbs players are) in that sort of shape.