March 2021
Ebbsfleet United 5-1 Oxford City
National League South
Payne 4', 48'
Martin 8'
Bingham 50', 63'
Our March schedule opened with the visit of 12th place Oxford City to Stonebridge Road.
We had a perfect start when after just 4 minutes, a simple move from a throw in saw the ball fall to Josh Payne at the edge of the area. He teed himself up before firing the ball past the keeper into the bottom corner
We made it 2-0 four minutes later. After sustained possession deep in the Oxford half, Josh Payne moved the ball to Martin in the box who turned before firing his shot into the bottom corner
We were nearly 3 goals to the good just before half time. A long ball forward found Rakish Bingham who unleashed a volley from just outside the box only to see it crash back off the bar.
2 minutes into the second half we did make it 3-0. A slick counter attack saw us commit men forward, with Bingham's cross eventually finding Josh Payne in the middle who touched home his second of the game.
On 50 minutes, brilliant play from Egan saw him lob the ball forward over the defence for Bingham to run onto. He took a touch before powering his effort across the keeper and into the far corner
10 minutes later we were 5 goals to the good. Josh Payne's long ball forward was misjudged by the Oxford defence, but not by Bingham who found himself in time and space to wriggle the ball under the keeper and secure his second of the game.
With 15 minutes to go, Oxford did pull one back when McEachran's cross found Owen James unmarked at the back post, however it was too late for a resurgence and we took all 3 points
Hungerford Town 0-0 Ebbsfleet United
National League South
Next up was a trip to bottom of the league Hungerford Town.
A fairly lacklustre first half saw us go in goalless at the break.
The second half continued in similar fashion, however we did have the ball in the net with 7 minutes to go after Rakish Bingham converted Lelan's cross, but it was ruled out by the linesman's flag.
A really disappointing draw to come away with just a point from the bottom of the league.
Ebbsfleet United 0-0 Dorking Wanderers
National League South
Next up was the visit of 17th place Dorking Wanderers to Stonebridge Road.
Yet again we found ourselves going in goalless with few chances created. Incredibly frustrating and very much 2 points dropped - especially seeing as both Havant and Welling dropped points in their games.
Maidstone United 2-1 Ebbsfleet United
National League South
Taylor 53'
Hoping to get back to winning ways, we made the short trip along the M2 to 8th place Maidstone's Gallagher Stadium.
However we had a nightmare start when Amaluzor's deep cross found the head of Wishart unmarked at the back post to put the hosts in front after just 3 minutes.
Things got even worse minutes before half time, when Amaluzor got up to head Edmondson's wide free kick into the back of the net.
Cue half time hairdryer treatment and a change to 4-4-2 with Greg Cundle replacing Lee Martin to join Bingham up front
8 minutes into the second half we gave ourselves hope of a comeback, when Taylor connected with Bingham's cross to the back post to pull one back.
However it wasn't to be, and yet again we failed to take advantage of our rivals dropping points. We remain 5 points from the top, however we are now down to 5th in the table
Ebbsfleet United 1-0 Tonbridge Angels
National League South
Bingham 43'
Next up was the visit of 17th place Tonbridge Angels for another Kent derby at Stonebridge Road. Jeff King returned to Halifax followed his loan spell whilst Elliott Durrell started for his debut.
On 43 minutes we got our breakthrough. Will Wood picked out Taylor with a ball forward. He slipped in Bingham who wriggled the ball under the keeper to give us a half time lead.
We continued to push to extend our lead but had to settle with just the one, after Bingham and Meite both had efforts rightly disallowed for offside. However it is a return to winning ways which sees us back up to third place for now and 3 points away from new leaders Slough who we face next in the FA Trophy.
Ebbsfleet United 4-2 Slough Town
FA Trophy Semi Final
Bingham 5', 39', (pen) 80', 90+5'
Our last fixture of the March schedule saw us welcome title race rivals Slough to Stonebridge Road for a place in the FA Trophy Final.
We had a dream start. Just 5 minutes in, Josh Payne's ball over the top found Rakish Bingham. He took a touch to control it before sliding his effort past Turner in the Slough goal.
On the half hour we came close to a second. Lee Martin's free kick from the left found Charlie Rowan in the middle, but his header cannoned back off the post
On 39 minutes however we a second, with Bingham's second of the game and his 40th of the season. Will Wood's curling cross from deep fell right in the danger zone and with the keeper stranded, Bingham was on hand to double his tally.
With 25 minutes to go, Slough set up a nervy finish when Matt Lench headed Kuhl's cross past Hadler.
10 minutes later we were all level. Again a cross from the left found Lench, and he tucked the ball past Hadler to level the scores
However we immediately had a brilliant chance to retake our lead. Chapman's long ball forward found Bingham who was hauled down in the box. Bingham stepped up and fired his effort low into the right corner to complete his hat trick and put the Fleet back in front
After a tense final 10 minutes, we sealed passage to Wembley in the 5th minute of time added on. Michael Klass played the ball low through to Bingham, who found the bottom right corner from the edge of the area for his, and the Fleet's 4th of the game
A fantastic achievement to reach the final, where we will face National League side Yeovil Town. Fortunately, results in the league went our way as well with our rivals failing to capitalise on their game in hand, and we remain in 3rd position.
End of month position: 3rd
Month review:
Not the greatest month all in all, taking 8 of a possible 15 points. However, we have been fortunate with results elsewhere, seeing ourselves retain our position in 3rd and reduce the gap from the top to 3 points. Irritatingly, had we won 2 very winnable games against Hungerford and Dorking, we would instead be 3 points clear at the top, however we have to deal with the hand we are played and I’m confident that we will ultimately take the title. To reach the FA Trophy final is a fantastic achievement, and despite playing a strong team from the league above, I’m confident of getting a result given our cup form this year.