With the rest of non-league football finally starting to get some games under the belts it’s meant a lot more choice and not confining myself to mostly Sussex.
Although that has helped me to get www.thesnlf.co.uk underway this summer, I do like get out and about to see different teams, different people and to keep this blog nice and fresh rather than repetitive.
Tuesday was a Kent trip, and Saturday was a double in that end of the county as I ventured to Ebbsfleet Utd to see Barnet for the first time this season, both sides with opening day defeats.
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The Bees are almost everyone’s favourites for the title given their form over the last two years under Dean Brennan. However, it is a more open league this year with less big spending clubs now back in Leagues Two and One but still a bottleneck of ex-Football League clubs wanting to get back up the ladder.
Ebbsfleet under Danny Searle performed the great escape last season but Fleet fans will be aiming for a much calmer campaign this time around and none of the drama they endured last year.
A glorious sunny afternoon were perfect conditions for watching football, more water breaks however for the players included. The first half itself was a fairly even affair, possession controlled by Barnet but a lack of created chances.
The best two fell to the home side, one effort dragged wide and a second which should have hit the target at least headed over instead. Just as it seemed the sides would go in level with very little to separate them, up popped a goal out of nowhere.
Three minutes left in the half, the ball was won high up the pitch and fed into Callum Stead who fired across former Bee Mark Cousins to give the visitors a lead that wasn’t quite so deserving.
A good time to score however as always just before half time to change the complexion of the interval team talks.
When both sides emerged for the second half it was evident quite quickly that the visitors had stepped up a gear despite the introduction of Dominic Poleon for the Fleet.
Possession was once again theirs to control and wave after wave of attack was the pattern of the half. Stead added his and Barnet’s second after 70 minutes, turning his defender inside out before beating Cousins at his near post.
Nicke Kabamba had earlier chances to increase the scoreline, Cousins sticking out a hand as the striker tried to round him while a superb block just as he was about to pull the trigger saw another effort thwarted.
Substitute Harry Chapman danced his way through the Fleet defence late on but the ball wouldn’t get out from under his feet and Cousins had an easy save to make.
Ebbsfleet did get one back in stoppage time, a needles push from Danny Collinge in the penalty spot saw Poleon step up and reduce the deficit, too little too late but giving the view of a much closer scoreline that the game suggested.
The Bees up and running a week after defeat to FC Halifax, a very level first half until Stead’s opener but more free flowing in the second half that the Fleet couldn’t find an answer for.
Stead was very impressive throughout and no surprise there have been bids in for him over the summer, Joe Kizzi as well impressive at the back while Billy Clifford was intelligent in the middle of the park.
Good to see Nik Tavares back and in the thick of midfield action, some nice tidy touches and Harry Chapman’s cameo was excellent, should have had a goal himself but once fit and up to speed he’ll be a great addition for the team.
Speaking to a few Fleet fans after the game it was better than last week’s performance at Gateshead, but still lacking in a few areas and a surprise to see Poleon on the bench, even his introduction couldn’t alter the course of the game.
Great to see Dean, Connor, Kirk, Kingy and Hutch in the bar afterwards along with a few of the players, not been able to get up to The Hive over pre-season with some busy Monday’s in play but that changes this midweek.
It’s still early in the season however for all, and plenty of time for results to come, the Fleet head to Yeovil on Tuesday evening whilst Barnet entertain Forest Green.
