Match 11. Ebbsfleet United v Basingstoke Town

Saturday 11th October 2014 @3pm

FA Cup 3^rd Qualifying Round

EBBSFLEET UNITED 1-2 BASINGSTOKE TOWN

The PHB Stadium, Stonebridge Road, Northfleet.

Admission: £10

Programme: £2

Attendance: 953

Refreshments: Guinness, £3.60.

I started the day driving down to Leeds Castle near Maidstone to meet up with other family members as 6 of us were taking part in a memory walk for my suffering Mother-in-law raising over £500 for the Alzheimer’s Society.  After finishing the 10K scenic walk, we went to The Old Rectory for lunch then I was dropped off with 20 minutes to spare at this fairly local FA Cup match. I last visited over the Christmas holidays and noticed the programme hut near the entrance is no more, with a shelter in the turnstiles now the place to purchase a programme, todays being a reduced 24 page publication for two quid.  As it was remarkably dry after the previous 48 hours wet windy weather and there was quite a few enjoying a drink in the afternoon sun on newly installed benches outside the clubhouse.

This was a match that Ebbsfleet had more possession, about a dozen good chances at goal, and ended up as victims of a smash and grab raid in the second half by Conference North leaders Basingstoke, to the delight of the 50 travelling voices.

The first half was almost one way traffic but the visiting keeper made 3 good saves and the visitors was saved by the woodwork.  After the restart the pattern of play remained the same and Ebbsfleet took the lead on 53 minutes when a cross from the left was headed in from close range by Charlie Sheringham on the second time of asking. Further chances went begging and inevitably, on the first recognisable attack from the visitors in the second half Flood fired past goalkeeper Hall for the equaliser. With a sniff of a winner, both teams surging forward for a winning goal, then with only 7 minutes left, a cross by Bird found Enver Marum to head the Stoke in front. The hosts and supporters were stunned and was a bit too much for Ebbsfleets Howe, who was shown a red card at the end for a crashing tackle on the Basingstoke forward.

I had to use South-eastern trains to get home but the ticket office was closed at Northfleet and the exit gates were open when I alighted, so got the trip home for free.