A goal at the beginning of each half helped Ebbsfleet United to a comfortable 3-0 home victory over Farnborough on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

In an entertaining match, the Fleet capitalised on a poor defensive display from the visitors, as goals from Anthony Cook, Dean Rance and Ben May secured the three points.

Steve Brown was forced into making one change from the side which defeated Staines 3-0, with Michael Thalassitis being replaced by Ben May due to a broken wrist.

Farnborough manager Spencer Day fielded a 4-4-2 formation which looked to pass the ball around the pitch, yet lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

The opening goal came in the sixth minute with the first real shot of the game.

Left winger Cook retrieved an over-hit cross before showing some skill by beating a defender and curling an effort past keeper Kevin Scriven, with the shot striking the inside of the post on its way into the goal.

Cook’s strike gave the hosts confidence and they soon began to dominate, as Osei Sankofa headed a Daryl McMahon corner over and Scriven tipped an Alex Osborn half volley from the edge of the area over the bar.

Yet Ebbsfleet were unable to double their lead and Farnborough nearly found a way back into the match when striker Jamal Lowe was played through on goal.

But after rounding keeper Preston Edwards, his shot was superbly cleared off the line by defender Anthony Acheampong.

This was the closest the visitors came to equalising, however, as although they began to get more possession in the last 15 minutes of the half, they were unable to create any more chances bar some hopeful long range shots.

The Fleet began the second half in the same vein they started the first and Billy Bricknell almost doubled the lead after bringing down a loose ball inside of the area, only to see his shot blocked by the legs of Scriven.

Home fans didn’t have to wait too long for a second goal, though, as the resulting corner from McMahon found Rance at the back post, whose header somehow flew through a crowded goalmouth and into the back of the net.

This killed the visitors off and aside from a Dan Bennett free-kick from a good position which went harmlessly wide, Ebbsfleet monopolised possession without creating too many real chances.

Osborn was again denied by Scriven when he had a shot from the corner of the box tipped around the post following a superb flowing team move down Ebbsfleet’s right.

The win was wrapped up ten minutes from time.

Substitute Michael West raced down the right wing and squared the ball to an unmarked May, who comfortably finished from eight yards.

West then nearly made it four late on as he flicked a long ball over the top past the advancing Scriven, but Farnborough left-back Adam Doyle, who had endured a torrid game up until that point, was on hand to clear the danger.

The result means Ebbsfleet stay fourth in the league and they now travel to Bath City on Tuesday evening.

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Ebbsfleet: Edwards, Howe, Palmer, McMahon (Corcoran 89), Acheampong, Sankofa, Osborn, Rance, May, Bricknell (West 75), Cook (Sessegnon 84). Subs not used: Hall, Lorraine. Att: 850