Barton seals victory

3:58pm Tuesday 7th October 2008

Ebbsfleet United Ladies 2-1 London Colney

IT was back to the league for the Fleet Ladies after their recent FA Cup exploits when unbeaten London Colney arrived in north Kent.

Despite a strong start, Ebbsfleet were unable to make the most of their dominance and failed to put a finish to some good movement.

The Fleet became increasingly frustrated as the game just didn't flow their way on the day and players struggled to make a positive impact.

As is always the way when you don't take the early advantage, it was the opposition who went ahead totally against the run of play.

London Colney took full advantage of a free-kick on the edge of the box with a clever delivery straight from the training ground.

With Fleet's defence thinking she must shoot, Colney's free-kick taker played a clever pass to an unmarked colleague in the box who shot well and past the diving keeper.

Jules Teague saw her strike disallowed after the referee stated Vic Wipfler had handled in the build-up and the Fleet went in one goal behind at the midway point.

After some strong and wise words from manager Sean Edwards, who was clearly disappointed with the poor performance in the first half, changes were made and a different Fleet came out in the second half.

Edwards changed the front partnership and switched Teague into her much better position out wide on the right, while Kelly Philpott moved up front.

The boss also introduced Amanda Spry for her first match back in the team to firm up the defence.

Ebbsfleet started to play much better and with more purpose, creating more chances.

They were back on terms when defender Tamar Upton overlapped down the wing and played a pass to Kelly Philpott's feet.

Philpott turned and played a ball through to Hayley Barton, who cut inside her marker and slotted home with her left foot.

Fleet kept pressing and their hard work eventually paid off when a goal-kick was played straight back to Colney's defence by Hannah Gilmore and Barton pounced on the defender's mis-kick.

Through on goal, she was always going to score and duly obliged to grab what proved to be the winning goal.

Ebbsfleet need to be in better form when they return to FA Cup action this weekend with a tough game against Maidstone Town at Fleet Leisure.

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