FA Trophy glory for Ebbsfleet

4:37pm Saturday 10th May 2008

Comments (6)   Have your say »

CHRIS McPhee's goal on the stroke of half-time handed Ebbsfleet their first ever FA Trophy at Wembley today.

The midfielder made amends after missing a penalty moments earlier by scoring the only goal of the game against his former club, Torquay United.

Torquay had the better of the opening exchanges and Fleet's keeper Lance Cronin did well to get down and push behind Lee Mansell's low drive from 35 yards on six minutes.

Tim Sills headed inches beyond the post two minutes later and Roscoe D'Same fired just wide on 13 minutes after Lee Phillips headed the ball back into his path.

Stacey Long had Ebbsfleet's best effort on goal 50 seconds later with a shot from 20 yards.

Michael Bostwick also tried his luck from long range seven minutes later and produced a save from Torquay keeper Martin Rice.

Long pounced after Torquay's defence failed to clear a cross field pass three minutes later and the left winger went on a mazy run before producing a shot from just inside the area.

Rice pushed his effort behind for a corner and the danger was eventually cleared.

Sacha Opinel, John Akinde and Niel Barrett all had half chances but Fleet best opportunity came four minutes before half time when they were awarded a penalty.

Luke Moore went down under a challenge from Rice and referee Mark Atkinson pointed to the spot.

Rice was booked for his misdemeanour but made amends when McPhee opted to fire his shot straight at him and the keeper made a comfortable save.

McPhee had the last laugh on the stroke of half time when he converted Akinde's low drive across the six yard box and smashed home to give Fleet the lead.

James Smith came within inches of doubling Fleet's advantage nine minutes into the second half.

Long's free-kick from the left found Smith a the far post and the Fleet defender just failed to make contact with the delivery.

If he had it could easily have been 2-0.

Long's 62nd minute free-kick had Rice at full-stretch and the Torquay keeper could only parry the rebound into the path of Akinde.

The Fleet looked odds on to score but his effort hit the post as he came under pressure from a Torquay defender Moments later Akinde latched onto a great defensive clearance from Opinel.

The Fleet striker ran in on goal and tried to find the late arriving Moore but a Torquay defender got a crucial touch to clear the danger.

Fleet had a lucky escape on 72 minutes when Mansell's header was cleared off the line by Long.

Four minutes later Torquay substitute Elliot Benyon squandered a free header which went off target.

Long was replaced by Gary Macdonald on 84 minutes as Fleet attempted to preserve their narrow advantage.

The majority of the 40,186 crowd had an anxious wait as the referee signalled three minutes of injury time, but Fleet held on to secure a memorable triumph.

Ebbsfleet United: Cronin, Hawkins, Opinel, Smith, McCarthy, Long (Macdonald 84), McPhee, Barrett, Moore, Akinde, Bostwick.

Subs (not used): Motts, Eribenne, Ricketts, Purcell.