The Sussex summer seemed
to resume every time Boro played a home fixture as close
neighbours Ebbsfleet United made the short journey from
Kent. The Boro skipper Paul Armstrong returned to the
starting XI and Nathan Crabb made his 1st league start
of the season wide right - Matt Smart and Dan Smith making
way.
Andy Atkin Under Pressure
- Pic : Lee Smith
Simon Thomas made a strong
run in the opening moments for the visitors but the shot
was scuffed and direct at Danny Knowles. Boro created
an opportunity for jamie Taylor to cross low along the
18 yard line but the Boro No. 18 was furthest forward.
The visitors created 2 chances to open the scoring on
7 minutes. The ball wouldn't drop for Thomas and he was
crowded out before The Fleet, who maintained possession,
drew a fine save from Knowles low to his left seconds
later. With the game swinging end to end Matt Crabb set-up
Taylor with a golden chance to put his side in front with
an excellent ball across the line but Lance Cronin 'stood
up' in the Ebbsfleet goal and the Boro strikers effort
was blocked. Gary Elphick was just inches short of a Ben
Austin lob into the penalty area as Ebbsfleet failed to
clear their lines after a free-kick :- Boro certainly
having the better of the opportunities to score.
Dan Brown Challenges Match
Winner Thomas - Pic : David Bauckham
Nathan Crabb and Taylor combined well
wide right but the ball just would not sit right for Atkin,
under intense pressure, and Cronin eventually claimed
the ball to end the danger. Nathan Crabb worked incredibly
hard to keep the ball alive for his side on 25 minutes
and the deep, deep Armstrong cross found Matty Crabb.
Unfortunately the ball was difficult to control, Cronin
gathering easily at his near post. After a slow start
The Sports certainly dominated the opening half-an-hour.
Atkin was driven wide from a cross-goal header, Cronin
parrying the ball away with the angle always against the
Boro man.
On 38 minutes Elphick nodded down a free-kick
and again only last-ditch defence prevented Atkin from
getting an effort on target. From the resultant corner
an acrobatic effort by Taylor struck the frame of the
goal with Cronin beaten :- when would Boro get the goal
their play richly deserved. That question appeared to
be a touch ironic as on the stroke of half-time Thomas
kept the ball alive on the bye-line and drew a foul from
Elphick, Mr. Creighton awarded awarding a spot kick. As
Thomas strode up many in Priory Lane no doubt thought
a -0-1 scoreline would be harsh on the Boro, but that
was without Danny Knowles who threw himself across his
goal to save wonderfully and keep the scores level.
Dan Knowles - Fabulous Penalty Save - Pic : Lee
Smith
Neither side made changes at half-time
and again the visitors started brightly. A ball across
the face of the Boro goal was cleared late by Marc Pullan
and the big No. 6 was required to shepherd Thomas and
Mango Viera away from goal in the opening 5 minutes. Ebbsfleet
'called' for a 2nd penalty on 51 minutes as the ball was
delivered into the Boro area, handball this time the shout.
This time the referee ignoring the appeals, the Assistant
Referee with his flag raised for offside. The Kent side
did get their penalty however as Knowles was adjudged
to have deliberately fouled Viera as they raced for the
ball, Michael Jordan off the bench to face the kick. As
many keepers before him in such a situation Jordan's 1st
task was to pick the ball out of his net as Viera sent
him the wrong way for 0-1. The Boro management team then
made 2 injury enforced changes with Pullan and Armstrong
replaced by Darren Baker and Matt Smart
Nathan Crabb - Sacrificed For A Goalkeeping 'Substitute'
- Pic : David Bauckham
The glorious summer sunshine and temperatures
would now play into the hands of the 'Kentish Men' with
the home side reduced to 10 men;- football can be cruel
at times. On 64 minutes Ebbsfleet were 4 against 1 as
they broke forward but appalling finishing kept the score
to 0-1.
The Boro side took their time to adjust
to so many enforced changes but gradually they began to
work themselves into the game despite the reduced numbers.
On 68 minutes the hard work and belief finally paid dividends.
Austin chipped over his marker at right-back and delivered
a fine ball down the line to Taylor. Finally the officials
could not spoil a Boro attack and Taylor ran onto the
ball and slipped it under the advancing Cronin for 1-1.
Jordan settled his nerves when he saved with his feet
on 72 minutes but the game was still very much for the
taking; Ebbsfleet attacking with purpose, Atkin at times
forced to defend rather than attack. Thomas controlled
the ball brilliantly 20 yards out and his quick turn and
shot was just wide; Jordan diving to his left.
Jamie Taylor Slips The Ball Home - Pic : David
Bauckham
Ebbsfleet made changes in the final 15
to try and grab all 3 points on offer but Cronin was required
to tip over a Matt Crabb free-kick on 83 minutes after
a strong trademark Austin run towards the opposition box.
Indeed the last 10 minutes saw Boro on top. With an astonishing
6 minutes added on Matt Crabb fired over from long-range
as his defence worked hard to keep out the yellow tide.
Then, with all the previous energy, endeavour and skill
counted for little in terms of points as a with 4 of the
6 minutes spent a Thomas deflected shot beat Jordan at
the near post for 1-2 Ebbsfleet.
For the 3rd league game in a row a last
gasp goal lost Boro points. It could be easy to look at
errors in play or concentration but in truth, to these
eyes, strange timekeeping and luck have played a huge
part. Ebbsfleet were by far 2nd best, evan against 10
men, but then again it's goals scored that count and today
Boro did not get what they deserved.
Words : Lee Peskett
