Ebbsfleet United 2 St Albans City 1

Match 68/15/1273 - Tuesday, 16th February 2016 - National League South

Ebbsfleet United (1) 1 McLean 45
St Albans City (0) 0
Attendance: 1,089

Entrance: £9 Senior
Programme: £3
Mileage: 56/5,136

Match Report

Having reached my 68th game of the season, it was somewhat surprising that this would be my first visit to Stonebridge Road this term. Ebbsfleet United are a club, well-backed by Kuwaiti owners who are it seems, despite home form that could best be described as wobbly, well on their way to a return to National League football in August. Off-the-field, the redevelopment of a lovable, old ground has begun with the diggers now on-site as the Liam Daish stand prepares to meet its end.

The evening was numbingly cold and the opening 20 minutes or so did little to warm the extremities. St Albans, seven points adrift of safety and under the new management of Ian Allinson, were put under early pressure with the best opportunity an effort from Danny Kedwell that was turned away from the goal line.

Joe Welch, in the St Albans goal, did well to repel a Kedwell header and ultimately was the difference between them and a good hiding.

Kedwell had a good claim for a penalty when pushed in the back and Matt Godden had a chance cleared from the line before St Albans mustered their first effort on goal, high, wide and not too handsome on 38 minutes.

As the half reached its final minute, a snap shot from Aaron McLean that didn't appear to be that cleanly struck bounced in front of the diving Welch and into the net. It was unfortunate for the ex-Ebbsfleet keeper that his mistake has ultimately decided the game.

The second half began with five mad minutes in which St Albans picked up three bookings for rash challenges.

The half progressed much the same way as the first. Ebbsfleet having chances and either wasting them or Welch coming to the Saints salvation.

On 74 minutes McLean did well to cross across the face of goal to Godden, who with the goal gaping took a bad touch allowing Welch to smother at his feet. It was one of those nights for the home strikeforce.

Ex-Gillingham midfielder Stuart Lewis was an obvious choice as man-of-the-match which was duly awarded, whilst the Belgian full back Van der Bogaert also caught the eye.

On a night when Champions League football was only obtainable on BT Sport, I'm not convinced that, for a club that moved 12 points clear at the top of the table, 1,089 represented a good attendance.

Hopefully, I can get to Stonebridge Road again this season before bulldozers do their work. I'm sure something lovely will rise from the rubble, but I've always kind of liked it as it was.