United ended the season with another fine away win today as they sank the Fleet with an early salvo of three first half goals. Two from Matt Green and one from Phil Trainer did the trick and confirmed what we all knew anyway; next season holds plenty of promise
It took just 35 seconds for the break through: remarkable when you consider that United didn't even kick off! Ebbsfleet kicked into touch, Day threw forwards and Eddie Anaclet flicked on to Yemi Odubade. He turned, looked up, and knocked the ball past the high defensive line for Green to run on to. Green was away and clear, and as Cronin came out he touched it under the keeper to score his ninth goal of the season.
The perfect start and another cool finish from Green, and with strike partner Odubade also on fire it was too much for the home defence. United should have had a penalty on six minutes as Odubade raced clear and was scythed down by left back Sacha Opinel well inside the area. It was a tackle from behind, a foul in anyone's books, but ref Kinseley left everyone mystified by awarding a goal kick.
With Murray and Hand pulling the strings and Ebbsfleet persisting with the very dangerous tactic of defending high up the pitch United looked dangerous every time they got on the ball, and the only question was why it took them until the 20th minute to double their lead.
It came in similar circumstances, the excellent Anaclet on the ball, biding his time to perfection and freeing Odubade on the right wing. Ebbsfleet trailed in his wake and when Odubade fired in a shot across the goal there was Phil Trainer at the far post to thump home his own ninth goal of a very impressive first season for the club. It hasn't all been plain sailing for The Power, but nine goals from midfield tells its own story.
It should have been 3-0 soon after as Odubade again found space in the area but thrashed over the bar, but on 28 the third goal did come as the front two once again combined to great effect. Odubade twisted on the edge of the area and lofted a pass over the struggling Paul McCarthy for Green, once again granted the freedom of Gravesend/Northfleet/Whatever it is this week. Green, unable to believe the space, took the ball well and thumped past Cronin to score his tenth of the season, despite defender James Smith's best efforts to clear off the line. Ten goals in seventeen starts for Green, no wonder the superb away fans were singing ' sign him on'
Total dominance. United excellent. Ebbsfleet presumably already thinking of Wembley and the FA Tropy final. Can we cancel May, June and July and get next season underway NOW? Surely Setanta can get that sorted?
The Fleet were all at sea, but on 34 did manage their first effort on target when Stacey Long's low shot from the edge of the area forced Turley to make a good save down to his right. Apart from that it could have been a cricket score. (Even if three is a cricket score Andrew Strauss would be proud of these days).
Joking apart, the good mood was soured right on half time as Player of the Year Luke Foster put in a block but came off worst, having to limp off with medial knee ligament damage and end his season prematurely. A sad way to end a magnificent season, although medial ligament damage is better than the dreaded cruciate.
The change did United no good at all and within five minutes of the restart Ebbsfleet had opened up the first, and only, chink in the armour. Day, now at centre half, should have cleared but dallied and that allowed Chris McPhee to nick the ball and cross to the far post where strike partner George Purcell beat sub James Clarke to the ball to make it 3-1.
Playing 4-3-3 Ebbsfleet boss Liam Daish had clearly decided to go for broke with another man up front, and they were perhaps unfortunate on the hour as a cross from Purcell seemed to strike Quinn's arm, high above his head as he tried to block. Never mind.
Ebbsfleet were unrecognisable after the break, faster to close people down and much more on the front foot, perhaps reminded by Daish that you should only dream of Wembley once you're guaranteed a place in the side. It allowed the excellent Quinn to marshall the defence, and needed that little bit of know-how throughout the side to take the sting out of what could have been a difficult situation.
They did that well, everyone playing their part in a fine team effort.
There have been times this year when the end of the season has stretched into the distance and not seemed to be getting any closer. The last two months have flashed past though and raised hopes once again. It's going to be a fascinating summer, but hopefully valuable lessons have been learnt the hard way. Once again the future is bright. The future is Yellow.
See you next season.
Att: 1,852
