MATCH REPORT | EBBSFLEET UNITED 1-1 BARNET FC

Dean Brennan’s side came to Ebbsfleet following their 4-1 defeat to Newport County on Tuesday which saw them exit the FA Cup following a replay at The Hive.

 

Brennan made three changes to the team with Finley Potter and Jordan Cropper going to the bench while Marvin Armstrong did not make the match day squad. Ben Coker, Dale Gorman and Adebola Oluwo came on to replace the three.

 

The first chance of the match came with a rebound from an Ebbsfleet corner where the ball fell at the feet of one of their players but the shot went over the bar.

 

Zak Brunt had the first proper chance of the game with a shot from long range which hit the crossbar.

 

The game started to pick up as Dominic Poleon for Ebbsfleet looked dangerous but his shot was blocked by Okimo.

 

Ebbsfleet were on the attack again with a ball through to Dominic Samuel with a decent strike but it went just wide.

 

Barnet were given a free-kick on the edge of the Ebbsfleet box with Dale Gorman tapping the ball to Coker who passed the ball back before the Captain goes for goal but sends the ball over the goal.

 

The 23 minute mark presented another chance for the home side with a header from Greg Cundle that bounced into the hands of Laurie Walker.

 

Nicke Kabamba attempted to put the ball into the net from close range at the far post but sent it wide.

 

As half-time edged closer, Zak Brunt received a brilliant pass through the Ebbsfleet defence from Dale Gorman. Brunt took a shot from the edge of the box but the keeper, Mark Cousins, managed to get a diving hand to the ball to palm it away.

Cundle again with another great run, he took a shot from the left of the goal but a great block by Danny Collinge stopped the chance.

 

HT: Ebbsfleet United FC 0 – 0 Barnet FC

 

Moments into the second half and Idris Kanu was looking for an opener as his shot from inside the box was caught by the keeper.

 

Eventually, Barnet got their goal with top goalscorer, Nicke Kabamba finding the back of the net. The number 9 was waiting with a strike from close range which just managed to slip past the keeper to allow us to take the lead.

Around the 60th minute mark, Ebbsfleet had a shot but a header from Danny Collinge cleared the chance.

 

Dale Gorman sent a ball from the edge of the box which met the head of Oluwo but the ball lands into the hands of Mark Cousins. Minutes later, the home side have a free-kick which goes into the box but the shot was sent over the bar.

Nicke Kabamba found the back of the net for the second time with a diving header but the offside flag wwnt up keeping The Bees only one in front.

The Bees were awarded a free-kick, once again, on the edge of the oppositions box which was taken by Zak Brunt. The number 33 went for goal with a powerful shot but just sent the ball wide of the box.

 

The home side got their equaliser following a scramble of chances in which, ultimately, it was Ben Coker who tucked the ball into the back the Barnet net.

A double substitution for Barnet welcomed Jordan Cropper and Gary Hooper onto the pitch to replace Zak Brunt and Ben Coker.

 

A corner for Ebbsfleet followed where they had another close chance to find the back of the net in the final 5 minutes of the 90. The shot came close to the goal but just went far.

 

Another corner for Barnet was taken by Gorman who whipped the ball to Oluwo getting who got his head to the ball but was not able to get the shot on target.

 

Ultimately, the points were shared with Nicke Kabamba finding the back of the net for The Bees but the equaliser in the 80th minute causing the points to be split.

FT: Ebbsfleet United FC 1 – 1 Barnet FC

 

Starting XI: Walker; Coker (Hooper 86’), Collinge, Okimo, Gorman, Kabamba, Kanu, Pritchard, Hartigan, Oluwo, Brunt (Cropper 86’).
Unused Subs: Stead, Stevens, Potter.
Goal: Kabamba (47’)
Booked: Hartigan
Attendance: 1488