Ebbsfleet United 0-0 York City - Our fixture backlog is ridiculous, complains Daish

The bitterly cold swirling wind made conditions difficult for both sides, in a game that was a six-pointer, as both sides are looking over their shoulder towards the drop zone.

Yesterday’s results meant the Fleet drop to just one place clear of the relegation zone in the Blue Square Premier table, although the Kent side still have to play 15 league games, starting with the visit of champions-elect Burton Albion on Wednesday night.

The Fleet have to play their remaining league games in a gruelling 49-day period, including a Setanta Shield tie at Crawley Town, and the two-legged FA Carlsberg Trophy Semi-Finals against Stevenage Borough.

Everybody at Stonebridge Road is clearly unhappy with the way that the Conference have allocated their fixtures this season, and they face yet another gruelling fixture back-log as they bid to climb up the table.

The Fleet are now in 20^th place in the table with 35 points from 31 games and are just one point clear of the relegation zone, and they found a stubborn York City side hard to beat, although goalkeeper Michael Ingram was in inspired form.

But Australian Daniel McBreen called the Fleet goalkeeper into action after fifteen minutes, when the striker’s initial poked shot was parried by Lance Cronin, who then pounced on the ball at his near post.

Sunshine made a welcomed appearance through the grey skies above, that brought a hailstorm just before kick-off, by the time that Fleet’s left-sided midfielder Stacy Long’s right-footed half-volley was tipped over the bar by Ingram half way through the first half.

Ingram was relieved when Guiseppe Sole’s right-footed free-kick from the edge of the D flew inches over the crossbar as the Kent side pressed.

But York City asked questions when Ben Purkiss delivered a cross from the right, which was met by a glancing header at the near post by Adam Boyes, who was the only player to pick up a yellow card, which deflected wide.

Ebbsfleet United’s last chance of the half arrived after 43 minutes when central midfielder John Martin picked himself up after being fouled and floated a left-footed free-kick towards Neil Barrett, whose glancing header brought a comfortable save from the visiting goalkeeper.

But York’s best chance arrived inside the opening three minutes of the second half.

A defensive splitting through ball from Levi Mackin released Boyes through the heart of the Fleet defence but from 25-yards, the striker’s right-footed drive drifted past the right-hand post.

Ingram made a comfortable scooping save to prevent Michael Gash scoring with an angled 20-yard drive and the goalkeeper caressed the ball straight into the tea hut down the Stonebridge Road side of the ground as he cleared the over-hit ball into touch. The goalkeeper, who has won three full caps for Northern Ireland, immediately raised his right arm to apologise to the catering staff.

York’s second attempt of the second half arrived after 66 minutes when, following a slick three man move, released Purkiss down the right and his cross was met by Boyes, whose attempt to find the top far corner, was comfortably thwarted by Cronin.

With the Kent side pressing for a crucial winner, Ingram excelled late on, tipping over an angled rasping drive from substitute Ricky Shakes - and then, following Martin’s back post corner from the right, skipper Darius Charles looked destined to seal the win, but his bullet header was excellently tipped over.

Former Fleet favourite, Onome Sodje came off the bench to play a late cameo role for York and the Minstermen almost snatched victory at the death.

Firstly, Christian Smith’s glancing header, following Purkiss’ deep, hanging wind-assisted right-wing cross, was expertly tipped around the post by Cronin, and Mackin should have tested the keeper, but he blazed Sodje’s cut-back over.

Fleet boss Liam Daish, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards, admitted the game failed to live up to expectations of their last home game, THAT 3-1 win over Welsh giants Wrexham in the FA Carlsberg Trophy Quarter-Final replay 12 days ago.

“I’m disappointed they didn’t get all three (points), but very happy with the way the lads played after 12 days since they had their last game,” he said.

“You get the ball rolling and (have) a bit of momentum and then you have a long lay-off, but, as I said before the game to the players, I think it would be a different game today.

“Wrexham was a nice still night, there was a bit of Grease in the surface, it was perfect for football, but today was difficult. We haven’t played for 12 days, swirling wind, difficult conditions, rain at the start, against a side that didn’t come out to win the game.

“They stood in here, we made all the running and tried to create all the chances, so it was more a game that we had to keep our concentration levels high and keep disciplined and we were disciplined today and that was pleasing.”

Daish cannot understand that this was the club’s first completed league game since his side picked up a point in an eight-goal thriller at home to Crawley Town back in January.

“It’s ridiculous,” he said. “I think the last game before this in the league that we’ve completed was on the 27^th January!

“It’s amazing and it doesn’t help you but games are going to come thick and fast now and we’ve got a lot of work to get through.”

The Fleet swiftly return to action again on Wednesday night, looking to finish off the job against champions-elect Burton Albion.

The Fleet were leading 1-0 at the time of the abandonment due to snow after 65 minutes, in front of the Setanta television cameras, last month.

“The lads will have their day off tomorrow and be in on Tuesday,” revealed Daish. “At this moment in time we’re keeping things short and sharp (in training) and keep ticking over, get their rest. They’re a fit bunch of lads and it’s all about playing games now.

“We’ve got a massive game on Wednesday, another home game, and we want to pick up home points. We’ve picked up a point today and hopefully we can pick all three up on Wednesday."

Daish complained that the game was abandoned as the match officials couldn’t see the lines on the pitch, as they were submerged by snow.

But he urges his side to finish off what they started, saying, “There were a few issues on that night (that) I weren’t happy with (and) we have to forget about that.

“We’ve got a chance to play them again, we haven’t lost the game, we haven’t won it and we’ll take great heart against them. Let’s hope we can get all three points.”

Skipper Charles, also speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards, admitted he felt his late header was going to seal the points for the Kent side.

“I haven’t been too good going up for corners recently,” he said. “I’ve been getting a bit of stick for it, so I’ve got that one in on target and the keeper saved it unfortunately.

“I thought it was the winner, but unfortunately the keeper saved it, good save.”

The former Brentford defender also admitted the game was played in difficult conditions.

He said: “It’s never easy playing against the wind, or with the wind, because it changes the game completely.

“You have to change the style of play, you can’t take as many risks as you’d like to. Sometimes you just have to go long, you can’t pass as you like to, it does make it a lot more difficult than normal.”

Thoughts of Saturday’s trip to Stevenage Borough in a mouth-watering FA Carlsberg Trophy semi-final first leg, have been put on the back burner, until the end of the Burton Albion game.

Burton are eleven points clear of Cambridge United at the top of the table, but the Fleet relish these games and are more than capable of sealing famous victories over Burton - and Stevenage Borough.

“We haven’t really spoken about it in much detail,” said Charles. “The players are focused for the game against Burton and climbing up the table.

“We have a few games in hand and we want to pick up some points

“A draw against York and a win against Burton, four points over the two games will be really good for us.”

Ebbsfleet United: Lance Cronin, Mark Ricketts, Darius Charles, Leon Crooks, Sacha Opinel, Luke Moore, Neil Barrett, John Martin, Stacy Long (Derek Duncan 89), Michael Gash, Guiseppe Sole (Ricky Shakes 76).
Subs: Sam Mott, James Smith, Danny Slatter.

York City: Michael Ingram, Ben Purkiss, Shaun Pejic, Danny Parslow, Mark Robinson, Simon Russell (Simon Brown 76), Levi Mackin, Simon Rusk, (David McGurk 89), Christian Smith, Daniel McBreen, Adam Boyes (Onome Sodje 82).
Subs: Adam Smith, Andy Williams.

Booked: Adam Boyes 77

Attendance: 1,244 (123 away supporters)
Referee: Mr Ian Smedley
Assistants: Mr Brian Williams & Mr Matthew Fisher
Fourth Official: Mr John Steel