LIAM Daish stressed the importance of team performances after Ebbsfleet United earned a much-needed three points with a deserved home victory over Hereford United last night.
On-loan striker Josh Scott scored his third goal in three games with a chipped finish over Hereford keeper James Bittner to put Fleet in front just before half-time.
The second half was tense for Ebbsfleet, but a robust defensive performance ensured they held onto their 1-0 lead and bagged a second victory in three games, taking them off the bottom of the Conference table.
Reflecting on the win, manager Daish said: “It was a tough game for us, Hereford are in a good vein of form and they’re a decent side.
“But we all did our jobs and helped each other do their jobs as well.”
Fleet dominated the first half, playing with an intensity and tempo which seemed ill fitting for a team who went into the game with only one win from their past seven matches.
The tenacity and defensive organisation of the home side made goal scoring opportunities few and far between for Hereford.
The Bulls’ best chance of the half came when midfielder Josh O’Keefe hit the post with a decent strike from just inside the box.
Pacey forward Liam Enver-Marum was a constant threat for the Fleet and he came close to breaking the deadlock, only for his goal to be ruled offside by the assistant referee.
Ebbsfleet continued to press the visitors and were rewarded almost immediately when Scott kept his composure to finish from close range.
Pleased with the performance of his team, Daish added: “We started off very well today and carried it on.
“It was a well taken goal by Josh.
“We wanted to play at a high tempo and travel with the ball very quickly and get some good movement and it all came together today.
“We had some nervy moments which we probably created ourselves, but I think we deserved it today.”
Fleet dug deep after half-time with captain Paul Lorraine putting in a man of the match performance at the heart of defence.
The centre-back was in commanding form for the home side, showing an awareness and ability which will be vital if his team are to avoid relegation this season.
Keeper Preston Edwards also had a solid game, producing the save of the match in the latter stages of the second half by using his legs to block Marley Watkins’ close range effort.
Despite the impressive individual performances shown by his players, Ebbsfleet’s longest serving manager emphasised the importance of a team effort.
Daish said: “We need team performances, it’s not a time for individual performances with ‘we lost but I did ok’ sort of attitudes, it’s not.
“It’s about results and getting the whole team performing and doing their jobs.
“Players look better themselves individually when everyone is playing well.”
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