Fleet held by Dover (From News Shopper)

Ebbsfleet United 0–0 Dover Athletic

11:04am Monday 6th August 2012 in Sport By Paul Green

EBBSFLEET United finished their pre-season preparations with a goalless draw against fellow Kent outfit Dover Athletic at Stonebridge Road on Saturday.

The Fleet applied pressure from the start as Tom Phipp tested the visiting keeper from the edge of the box with a powerful shot just 15 seconds into the game.

It took Conference South Dover some time to settle before Chris Sessingnon gave them their first real opportunity but he dragged his shot wide from just inside the area after 20 minutes.

The hosts replied immediately and it was Phipp yet again who tested the keeper but his shot was comfortably saved.

Liam Bellamy looked threatening in and around the opposition area but his 20 yard shot just curled away from the goal.

Dover striker Ricky Modeste had several opportunities for the Whites and he came within inches of converting a cross but the ball went agonisingly across the face of goal.

Modeste had another opportunity on the stroke of half-time but Preston Edwards produced a good save.

The home side came close to taking the lead eight minutes after the restart when Nathan Elder’s cross was deflected and grazed the outside of the near post.

But almost immediately at the other end Nicky Forster was through on goal and looked certain to give the away side the lead before a last-ditch tackle from Patrick Ada prevented Ebbsfleet from going behind.

Modeste proved threatening again but this time could only direct his diving header over the bar.

Dover came close to taking the lead with 20 minutes remaining when a superb curling effort from Barry Cogan beat Edwards but just clipped the top of the woodwork.

The visitors carried on pushing for a late victory and right-back Shane Huke’s speculative volley from the far right of the box just found the side netting.

The game ended with one more effort from Dover as ex-Fleet striker Calum Willock hit a volley on the turn but could only fire over from 14 yards.

Ebbsfleet open their 2012/13 campaign at Nuneaton Town on Saturday at 3pm.

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Ebbsfleet: Edwards, Stone (Blake 50), Howe, Barrett, Ada, Lorraine (Walsh 23), Enver-Marum, Bellamy, Elder (Azeez 69), Ashikodi (Williams 84), Phipp (Greenhalgh 69). Subs not sued: Folkes, McNeill, Wilson, Akinde.