Chris Woods reports from the EBB Stadium…
Aldershot’s up and down progress continued with a 2-0 defeat at home to Ebbsfleet United following the midweek 0-0 draw at league leaders Leyton Orient.
Second half goals from Michael Cheek and Danny Kedwell sealed a comfortable victory for the Fleet as the Shots lost their second consecutive home game.
Shots boss Gary Waddock made just one change to the side that drew at Orient with Josh Barrett coming in for the injured Matt McClure who joined a long list of injured players, with Waddock naming only three subs.
The Fleet began immediately in the ascendancy with early chances from Kedwell, Jack Payne and Corey Whitely all shot straight at Will Mannion.
Shots went close on 19 minutes when Marvin McCoy, playing against his old club, played in Reece Grant but Nathan Ashmore was out quick to thwart his effort which hit the side netting.
Ebbsfleet then hit the crossbar four minutes later when Luke Howell’s headed clearance was volleyed straight back at goal by Payne, only to cannon off the bar and get cleared.
The visitors then took a deserved lead just three minutes into the second half when Cheek slipped in behind the defence, he held off Gabe Osho and slotted past Mannion.
Referee Leigh Doughty then awarded Fleet a penalty on 68 minutes when Whitely was tripped by Howell. The experienced Fleet captain dispatched low to Mannion’s left with the Hull City loanee diving to his right.
Ebbsfleet then hit the bar for the second time when Kedwell’s cross came off of McCoy’s back, who could only helplessly watch on as the ball bounced off the crossbar and over.
The woodwork was hit for a third time on 83 minutes when Jack King got on the end of Payne’s corner, it then fell to Kedwell who had an effort blocked from close range and then back to King who stuck it wide.
Lewis Kinsella almost grabbed his first goal for Aldershot with a long-range effort that sailed just over Ashmore’s goal.
But it was Ebbsfleet who could’ve added to their tally in the closing stages when Ebou Adams forced a good stop from Mannion who caught his curling effort from 12 yards out.
That defeat saw the Shots slip down to 17th position in the National League and head back on the road next Saturday where we face Harrogate Town.
ALDERSHOT TOWN: Mannion, McCoy, Bernard, Osho, Kinsella, Gallagher (Wanadio 55), Howell, May, McDonnell, Barrett (Fenelon 55), Grant.
Sub not used: Lelan.
