Kuflink Stadium
National League South
Saturday 30th April
Ebbsfleet 2
Chippenham 2
Ebbsfleet had to come from behind twice to get a point in an entertaining 2-2 draw with playoff chasing Chippenham.
The visitors started the brighter benefitting from some sloppy passing from Ebbsfleet, with top scorer Jordan Young receiving the ball in behind. The 22-year-old found a pocket of space before drilling an effort that came back off the foot of the post, to deny The Bluebirds an early lead.
On the half hour mark Gary Horgan’s men would get their goal. Swindon loanee Mohammad Dabre fed Joe Hanks who fired an unstoppable strike into the top corner for his second goal in as many games.
Despite this The Fleet couldn’t muster up a response and were lucky not to go in at the break 2-0 down. Landon Golding chipped in an inviting cross from the right that was met by Hanks, but the 27-year-old saw his looping header tipped over by Wolves loanee Louie Moulden in the home goal.
Dennis Kutrieb’s men came out the second half a transformed side and just five minutes into the second half found themselves level. Chris Solly swung in a corner to the far post and Elliott Romain was on hand to head home for his seventh strike of the season.
Ebbsfleet went close to doubling their lead within four minutes as Craig Tanner slipped in Shaquile Coulthirst, whose venomous drive was turned behind by Will Henry.
A second goal for The Fleet looked to be on the cards, however out of nowhere Chippenham grabbed a second goal, with Hanks turning provider. The 27-year-old’s inswinging delivery was met by a towering Will Richards who headed past Moulden to make it 2-1 to the visitors.
Hanks continued to torment the Ebbsfleet backline and eight minutes later he went within a whisker of adding a third for The Bluebirds. Picking the ball up from range the former Cheltenham Town midfielder curled a delightful effort towards goal that came back off the woodwork.
This chance proved to be a huge “What if?” as shortly after the hosts got themselves back on level terms again. A Tanner freekick was delivered to the far post and Solly was on hand to slide the ball home for his first league goal of the campaign.
Ebbsfleet would go close twice to snatching a point late on with Lee Martin being denied first by the post and then by Henry as the game finished 2-2.
A point for Ebbsfleet sees them go five games unbeaten but they do slip down to fourth; overtaken by local rivals Dartford who thrashed Slough Town 6-0.
The draw for Chippenham means they are now three games without defeat but they do lose ground on the playoffs, The Bluebirds now sit three points off 7th placed Havant and Waterlooville.
MOTM: Joe Hanks (Chippenham)
By Nathan Williams
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