FC Halifax Town were unable to continue their good run of form away at Ebbsfleet United today. Town were beaten 2-0 by United with both goals coming in the second half courtesy of first half substitute Sean Shields.
In a first half of few chances, Town came closest through Matty Kosylo after 24 minutes. Having spent most of the half on the left side, Kosylo picked up the ball, cut inside on to his right-foot and saw his shot rattle the upright.
Within the first five minutes, Adam Morgan had tested the palms of home goalkeeper. Town put together a smooth looking break which led to Morgan receiving the ball just outside the opposition area with enough space to shoot. His shot was blocked well by the Ebbsfleet defence and Morgan’s claims for handball were dismissed by referee David Rock.
Ebbsfleet’s first real chance came after 19 minutes when Darren McQueen was able to break through the Town defence but Sam Johnson came to the rescue with an excellent diving save.
Just minutes after Morgan had struck the woodwork, the tides turned and Johnson found himself one-on-one with Jack Powell and once more he got his body in the way to keep the scores level.
Having already received treatment earlier in the match, Connor Oliver was substituted after just half an hour, with Danny Clarke the replacement. The rest of the half after that point was played mostly in the middle of the pitch with no clear-cut chance for either side.
The second half started well for the home side as they took the lead just two minutes after the restart. Shields picked up the ball on the left side and dribbled towards the Town defensive line. Twisting and turning he found some space just inside the Town penalty area and could curl his shot into the bottom corner.
Chances were few and far between once more in the second half for Town. Their best chance fell to Tom Denton. Denton won a header and found the feet of Morgan in the penalty area. Morgan returned the ball to Denton who blazed his shot over the crossbar.
Ebbsfleet’s second goal came in the 71st minute with Shields this time attacking from the right. In an almost identical situation to the opener, Shields cut inside and fired his effort past Johnson at his near-post.
The final twenty minutes of the match were uneventful which rather summed up the afternoon’s football at Stonebridge Road.
Ebbsfleet United: 1 Nathan Ashmore, 26 Chris Bush, 6 Kenny Clarke, 24 Sam Magri, 3 Jack Connors, 8 Andy Drury (17 Sean Shields 42′), 4 Dean Rance, 7 Jack Powell, 11 Myles Weston, 9 Danny Kedwell, 14 Darren McQueen (Coulson 75)
Subs: 2 Marvin McCoy, 13 Jonathan Miles, 19 Danny Mills
Connor Oliver (18 Danny Clarke 27′), 12 David Lynch, 15 Josh MacDonald (40 Dion Charles 63)), 7 Matty Kosylo, 9 Tom Denton, 16 Adam Morgan, 8 Nathan Hotte
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